Lot 789 A JAPANESE HANGING SCROLL OF AN OKAME, SHIBATA ZESHIN, 19TH CENTURY

Shibata Zeshin: 1807-1891. "Okame"
Born in Edo, Ryogoku. Student of Suzuki Nanrei, Okamoto Toyohiko.
Hand-painted on paper, scroll ends: bone
97 by 37 cm.
Total size 165 by 50 cm.

The names Okame and Otafuku are used synonymously: Okame means "turtle," symbolizing longevity. Otafuku means "abundant luck." Okame is a goddess of good fortune: She transforms bad luck into great luck. • Okame brings victory and success. • Okame bestows fertility and drives away evil people, spirits, and ghosts. Okame protects children and ensures domestic happiness. Her image could be placed next to the dictionary definition of good: Okame is kind-hearted, good-humored, benevolent, generous, friendly, serene, and patient. She has no common bone in her body, although she is clever, strong-willed, and competent. She is not naive, but powerful and able to banish evil spirits as if they were small, bothersome flies. She is considered the epitome of the ideal wife.