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金のなる気
Money Tree
金のなる気
Japanese
Edo period
1843–47 (Tenpô 14–Kôka 4)
Medium/Technique
Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions
Vertical ôban; 35.7 x 23.2 cm (14 1/16 x 9 1/8 in.)
Credit Line
William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.36951
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsPrints
DescriptionIn ukiyo-e prints, a money tree (kane no naru ki) is a good-luck symbol consisting of a tree with coins for leaves, and a trunk and branches made up of characters that spell out auspicious phrases all ending in the syllable "ki," a pun on "tree." Daikoku and Ebisu, the gods of prosperity (associated with rice and fish respectively) are usually shown beneath the tree.
In modern Japanese, the expression "money tree" (kane no naru ki) can refer either to an actual houseplant with coin-shaped leaves; or it can be a slang expression for a highly profitable business venture, corresponding to the English "cash cow."
In modern Japanese, the expression "money tree" (kane no naru ki) can refer either to an actual houseplant with coin-shaped leaves; or it can be a slang expression for a highly profitable business venture, corresponding to the English "cash cow."
Signed
Shinsai Eishô ga
信斎英松画
信斎英松画
Marks
Censor's seal
No blockcutter's mark
No blockcutter's mark
ProvenanceBy 1911, purchased by William Sturgis Bigelow (b. 1850–d. 1926), Boston [see note 1]; 1911, gift of Bigelow to the MFA. (Accession Date: January 19, 2005)
NOTES:
[1] Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.
NOTES:
[1] Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.