Fukurojin (Fukurokuju), the God of Longevity and Wisdom 1790

Ito Jakuchu's ink and color on silk painting presents Fukurojin, the God of Longevity and Wisdom, alongside symbols of long life like cranes and pine trees. The composition is vertically oriented, compelling the eye to travel upwards, from the base of the flowering plants towards the figure of the deity. Jakuchu’s brushwork is particularly striking. Notice the bold, wet strokes used to depict Fukurojin’s elongated head and the pine needles, contrasted with the delicate, controlled lines of the cranes. These variations in line quality create a dynamic visual texture. The semiotic system of signs invites us to interpret the cultural codes of longevity and wisdom embodied by each element. The god's disproportionately large head could destabilize traditional notions of the ideal form, suggesting that wisdom transcends conventional beauty. The artist’s mastery lies in his ability to blend formal elements—texture, line, and composition—with symbolic content, creating a work that engages with philosophical ideas about life, knowledge, and artistic representation. Jakuchu challenges fixed meanings and encourages us to consider new ways of thinking.