This boy's silk antique kimono, originally worn for a Shinto coming-of-age ceremony, showcases a 'takarabune' ('treasure ship') crafted through yuzen-painting and embroidery highlights. Measuring 39 inches (99 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and 42 inches (107 cm) in length, it exhibits some light staining on both the front and back.

The takarabune portrays items associated with the seven gods of good fortune: the key to the gods' storehouse, Daikoku's hammer, bails of hay, sacred jewels on the sail, an inexhaustible money bag, and an invisibility hat. Legend has it that the takarabune arrives on New Year's Eve to bring happiness and luck, distributing gifts to believers. Children receive red envelopes with the takarabune emblem containing money, and many people place depictions of the seven gods and the ship under their pillow for prosperity and pleasant dreams in the coming months. To neutralize bad luck or nightmares, the picture is set adrift in the river or sea.

The ship, always shown at full sail, carries food and treasures. Commonly, prints of it are accompanied by an auspicious palindromic poem: "During the endless night, half sleeping, half waking, I hear sounds of a ship sailing over the wave crests -- Oh, I know it is bringing good fortune!"

This artwork is featured on pages 250-253 of Ceremonial Textiles of Japan, 18th to 20th Centuries. This book, published by Yorke Antique Textiles, can be previewed or purchased on our website here.

The piece is also featured on page 96 of the summer 2018 edition of HALI magazine.

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