Kisshōten

Kisshōten, venerated as the goddess of prosperity and peace, has been worshipped for centuries and continues to inspire reverence to this day. The Kisshōten Standing Statue, enshrined at the ancient temple Jōruri-ji in Kizugawa City, Kyoto Prefecture for over 800 years, has retained its vivid colors as a 'hibutsu'—a hidden sacred figure rarely unveiled to the public. These colors have been elegantly rendered in the medium of Nishijin-ori, transforming the three-dimensional artistry of the statue into the intricate, two-dimensional world of textile weaving. The statue’s plump form, often referred to as the most beautiful in Japan, is delicately expressed with soft, three-dimensional detail. The cheeks are blurred with shades of golden brown and light brown, while golden brown is applied beneath the eyes and on the nose. The upper lip is rose-colored, and the lower lip incorporates red and silver, all reflecting the exquisite sense of color of the Nishijin-ori artisan.

The radiance of the halo, the texture and weight of the garment, and the natural gradation of the ungen-saishiki (a type of coloring technique used since the Nara period) are all beautifully rendered in the weaving.

The left hand holds a nyoi hōju (wish-granting jewel), while the right hand forms the yogan-in (gesture of granting wishes), symbolizing the fulfillment of desires. Displaying this piece in your room may bring a sense of auspiciousness, as though your wishes might be heard and granted.