Netsuke [Daikoku as a puppeteer] c. 19th century

This ivory netsuke depicts Daikoku as a puppeteer. He is one of the seven gods of fortune in Japanese folklore, often shown with a benevolent smile, holding a mallet, and standing on rice bales which symbolize prosperity. Here, Daikoku manipulates a puppet, connecting to ancient traditions of puppetry. Across cultures, puppets have served as surrogates, animated by human intention. Consider the Greek 'automata,' figures moved by hidden mechanisms, or shadow puppets in Asia, where light and shadow create ephemeral narratives. The act of manipulation, of bringing inanimate forms to life, touches on our deepest desires to control fate. Daikoku’s smile invites us to ponder the role of divine influence. It speaks to our psychological need to believe that powerful forces can shape our destinies. This cyclical progression of symbols reminds us of the enduring human fascination with fate and the supernatural.