Takasago
late 19th - early 20th century
Known together as Jotomba, this devoted elderly pair is a symbol of marital harmony and long life. Portrayed under the legendary Takasago pine, the old woman is using a broom to sweep away trouble, while her husband carries a rake to bring in good fortune. In Japanese, the word for sweep (haku) is homophonous with "100 years" (hyaku) and rake (kumade) sounds like "until 99 years," thus creating a pictorial pun of sorts. At Japanese weddings, the Takasago song is recited and Takasago figurines are put on a special shelf to invoke a long and fruitful married life for the newlyweds.
Ink and colors on silk
50 1/2 x 19 11/16 in. (128.3 x 50 cm)
Gift of Griffith and Patricia Way, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum
2010.41.96
