Kutani Moriage Seven Lucky Gods Porcelain Set
Authentic vintage Japanese porcelain — hand-painted with raised moriage enamels and gold.
Family-owned since early 20th century; each figure depicts one of Japan’s Shichifukujin (Seven Lucky Gods), symbols of happiness, prosperity, and longevity.
Likely produced in the Kutani region, Japan, circa 1920s–1940s.
Each base shows a hand-painted “Made in Japan” mark, believed to have been added later (around the 1950s) to meet U.S. customs requirements.
Very good vintage condition overall with minor wear to gilding and bright enamel colors intact.
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🔶 Detailed Description and Provenance
This set of seven porcelain figures represents Japan’s Shichifukujin — the Seven Lucky Gods, deities of prosperity, longevity, and good fortune. Each piece is hand-painted in overglaze enamels and gilt, with raised moriage decoration in the traditional Kutani color palette of red, green, blue, white, and gold.
The figures belonged to the family of my late Japanese father-in-law, who was born in Japan and immigrated to the United States around 1920 at age 17. He visited Japan only once more, in the 1950s. Family history suggests the figures were made in Japan and either kept by his relatives or purchased during that visit.
Each piece bears a hand-painted “Made in Japan” mark on the unglazed base. The style of the lettering and the small vent holes indicate the marks were likely added after firing — possibly to comply with U.S. import requirements in the 1950s. The figures themselves appear to date earlier, consistent with Kutani-region porcelain from the 1920s–1940s.
The set has remained in the same family since that time and is now offered from the family estate. While the exact kiln is unknown, the workmanship, palette, and raised enameling are typical of Kutani or Kutani-inspired studios of mid-century Japan.
A beautiful, culturally rich, and authentic vintage set — perfect for collectors of Japanese art or decorative porcelain.
• Origin: Japan (Kutani region, likely)
• Period: Circa 1920s–1940s
• Material: Porcelain with overglaze enamel & gilt moriage
• Theme: Seven Lucky Gods (Shichifukujin)
• Mark: Hand-painted “Made in Japan” (added post-firing)
• Condition: Very good vintage condition; light wear to gilding consistent with age
• Set Includes: Seven figures (complete)
• Provenance: Single-family ownership since early 20th century
Shipping note:
Each figure will be individually wrapped and double-boxed for safe arrival. Ships via USPS Priority Mail with tracking and insurance.
These charming figures represent the seven deities of good fortune in Japanese culture:
1. Ebisu (恵比須) – God of prosperity and fishermen, holding a fish.
2. Daikokuten (大黒天) – God of wealth and farmers, with a mallet.
3. Bishamonten (毘沙門天) – God of warriors and protection, wearing armor.
4. Benzaiten (弁財天) – Goddess of art, beauty, and music, holding a lute (biwa).
5. Hotei (布袋) – Laughing Buddha, symbol of happiness and abundance.
6. Jurojin (寿老人) – God of long life, with scroll and staff.
7. Fukurokuju (福禄寿) – God of wisdom, fortune, and longevity, with tall head and scroll.
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