Jurojin寿老人
Long life · health · freedom from illnessThe god said to grant long life, depicted with a long white beard and accompanied by a deer. He is believed to bring longevity, health and freedom from illness.
I had him hold kelp (dried konbu), the third of Hokkaido's three signature catches. Beside him is a white deer, a symbol of long life fitting for the god of longevity.
What I cared about most were his hands. Kelp work is done mostly by hand and is hard on the hands. I deliberately painted every wrinkle and knuckle with hands that have worked for years, and still work today, in mind. Into the figure of a god I layered the hands of the people who work on the shore.
Through those hands, may Jurojin's blessings reach you.
Main patterns on the hood and robe
- Asanoha (hood)
- Radiating lines within hexagons. Hemp grows tall and straight without care, so it is a pattern for healthy growth and also said to ward off evil.
- Kikko (robe)
- Hexagons modeled on a tortoise shell, a symbol of long life, fitting for the god of longevity.
- Karakusa (robe edges)
- Vines stretching endlessly in all directions; long life and prosperity.
- Shichiyo-mon (hakama)
- Six circles around one: a star pattern representing the sun, moon and five stars, carrying prayers to the stars and a wish for long life.
- White deer
- Said to live a thousand years; an auspicious sign of long life and prosperity.
* The blessings and meanings of the patterns are based on long-held tradition and are not a guarantee of any effect.
