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Ebisu
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Ebisu | Bishamonten | Daikoku | Benzaiten | Fukurokuju | JUROJIN | Hotei

One of the Seven Lucky Gods of Japan, Ebisu is the God of Fishermen who is invoked for plentiful fishing and safety, while sailing. He is often portrayed as a smiling and bearded Japanese peasant with a long fishing rod and sea bream and has often been represented with other fishes such as Red Snapper and Jelly fish.

Japanese consider sea bream fish a symbol of good luck and fortune. In a variety of different Shinto representations, Ebisu is also depicted wearing a tall hat and holding a folding Japanese fan, which also stands for granting wishes. As the God of Fishermen, Japanese consider Ebisu as one of the favorite amongst the Seven Lucky Gods and has his origins in Japan unlike the rest six Gods that are known to have originated in China, India or have Buddhist links.

He originated as the God of Fishermen but with changing social and economic scenario in the recent years, he is also looked up by businessmen and merchants for good luck, prosperity and better fortune in their ventures.

In paintings and artwork, Ebisu is usually accompanied by Daikoku, the God Of rice and agriculture while according to traditional folklores, Ebisu is also considered the son of Daikoku. In sculptures, Ebisu is portrayed independently or with the complete set of Seven Lucky Gods. But popularly in Japan, Daikoku and Ebisu are considered as symbols of good luck and prosperity.

But according to experts, another conflicting story traces the origins of Ebisu within the oldest Japanese chronicles, Kojiki have been dated to 720 AD. According to these ancient chronicles, the deity known as Hiruko-no-Mikoto is the third son of Izanami-no-Mikoto and Izanagi-no-Mikoro considered as the creators of Japan. As per the folk tale, he was born without bones, hands or feet and was cast out in the ocean, but was found and cared by Ebisu Saburo and soon came to be known as Ebisu, one of the cherished God’s of Japan. He is also worshipped as the God of children’s health and morning sun.

Ebisu represents Candour, one of the seven virtues in the people which are symbolized as the Seven Lucky Gods. Full of mirth, with a jovial face and sometimes surrounded by small children, Ebisu is one of the popular Gods that are symbolized in many different materials such as wood, metal, gems, colored stone, semi precious gems and ivory as beautiful keepsakes in offices and at home.

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You can browse much more carved Mammoth Ivory Tusk artifacts at our Mammoth Ivory Figurines collection.


 


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Happy New Year - Year of the Snake 2013!

The Snake has been an important part of all myths from the Hindu mythology to the Christian. But in the Chinese Zodiac Snake holds a key position of an interesting person, a great seducer, charming and a social person. Snake is known for his charisma and strength in the Zodiac calendar. Though the Snake has loads of positive attitude, they are prone to dominate in relationships. They are mystical and remain committed to their belief systems.

With high energy and confidence, the zodiacs that best compliment the Snake are Ox, Horse, Rooster, Dog and Sheep. Other animals that can share a cordial relationship are Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon and Rat. At any cost avoid the Monkey or even another Snake. Read all article about YEAR Of The Snake

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Mammoth ivory, Elephant Ivory - real or fake?

There is always a fear that the ivory sculpture that you bought might turn out to be a fake, because as a layman you may not be able to differentiate between a clever replicas and real ivory. However, with experience in this field and handling nearly all types of ivory, it becomes easy to differentiate just by seeing it.

Even though pure ivory can be of various quality and types, the fake ivory is made from resins. The powder that is left after sawing/carving ivory or remnants from bone sculptures are not wasted but all added to resins, put into molds.

Mammoth ivory tusk

The sculptures are then cleaned and then dipped in dark hued stains that give them the brownish tinge. There is always a difference in weight between a resin ivory and real ivory as real ivory is very heavy...Read all article about your Mammoth Ivory fake or real?

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