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Some traditional themes - there is much overlap with the "Lucky!" page, as these are invariably chosen to be auspicious. Mount Fuji is an obvious topic - it's a handsome mountain, and is invariably shown in red, a depiction of a phenomenon said to occur once a year or less, in which the whole mountain glows pink at dawn. Then we have the gamut of nature represented by various plants and animals.
On this page:
Red Mt Fuji -
Flowers and birds -
Carp -
Buddhist figures

© Ukai Yuhei
The seven gods gather in a group with all the usual lucky emblems around them — red Mt Fuji, cranes, turtles, and so on. The rather jolly two in front are Daikokuten and Ebisu, who are somehow producing money by pounding the glutinous mochi rice which is traditionally always prepared this way.
No biographical information is to be found on the artist Ukai Yuhei, another of the craft producers of traditional images particularly for kakemono scrolls. He signs his work the traditional way, with his given name Yuhei, and a seal of the same.
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Wild horses give a show of strength below the iconic Red Fuji, in Kajita's dramatic composition.
Born in Nagoya in 1936, the artist became a successful illustrator of books, and commercial articles. In the late 1980s, he embarked on a second career, in oil painting, with which he has had many personal exhibitions.
He paints a wide range of subjects, signing the more traditional pictures with the characters for his given name, Tatsuji, together with a seal, whereas on the illustration-style paintings of trains and sailing ships he signs "T. Kajita" in the western style.
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A faithful pair of cranes, but the others flying by make an auspicious total of seven. Red Mt. Fuji in the background, together with red and white plum blossoms and a couple of turtles, complete this very traditional painting, in Kajita's distinct and vibrant style.
Born in Nagoya in 1936, the artist became a successful illustrator of books, and commercial articles. In the late 1980s, he embarked on a second career, in oil painting, with which he has had many personal exhibitions.
He paints a wide range of subjects, signing the more traditional pictures with the characters for his given name, Tatsuji, together with a seal, whereas on the illustration-style paintings of trains and sailing ships he signs "T. Kajita" in the western style.
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The auspicious crane, the showy peacock, the humble chicken - this common style portrays birds surrounded by suggestions of their natural habitat...
A simple but effective composition: the owl approaches us ready to pounce. The cherry blossom lit only by the full moon has an eerie tone, which will make the puzzle interesting but quite a challenge.
No biographical details available. She signs her given name Kayomi in Roman letters.
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A pair of white birds display their filigree plumage, amidst flowers representing the four seasons. The bird name hakuhō can be translated as "white phoenix", but its origin is unclear, perhaps from an ancient Chinese mythical bird, but also an unofficial era name around the time of Emperor Kōtoku (c. 650 AD; see the Wikipedia article on era names).
The artist was born in 1948, in Niigata. After working for a textile company, he went independent as a textile designer. He has his own individual drawing style, bringing a fresh approach to many traditional art themes.
He goes by his given name, Hakuga, in the traditional way, signing his paintings in a stylised, but non-cursive form.
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A happy family of owls, mother and three chicks. Not only are owls famed for wisdom, but these chicks are a bright golden colour, suggesting they will bring good fortune.
Izumi Kazumi is an animal artist who graduated from Osaka University fine arts department in 1984. Izumi is her family name.
 Not available
Discontinued March 2022
An Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: A10765 (1000-765 on package)
Retail price ¥3600
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A pair of cranes, symbol of fidelity, with Fuji in the background and surrounded by the usual auspicious symbols, pine-bamboo-plum, the nanten red berries, and also a pair of turtles representing longevity (their "tails" are said to be trails of seaweed which has grown over the aeons.
Izumi Kazumi is an animal artist who graduated from Osaka University fine arts department in 1984. Izumi is her family name.
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Two birds greet the morning sun – these are 鳳凰 (Hōō), the mythical bird also known as the "Chinese phoenix". This scene is traditionally taken as an auspicious sign of peace in the world...
The artist was born in 1948, in Niigata. After working for a textile company, he went independent as a textile designer. He has his own individual drawing style, bringing a fresh approach to many traditional art themes.
He goes by his given name, Hakuga, in the traditional way, signing his paintings in a stylised, but non-cursive form.
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A serene pair of owls gaze out from a typically stylised background from this artist; including the traditionally fortunate combination of pine, bamboo, and plum.
Born in Miyagi, northern Japan in 1984, Toyama Hiroko (Toyama is her family name) specialises in birds and flowers, bringing a modern touch along with many traditional stylisations.
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The panoply of deities of various ranks from the Buddhist traditions...

© Hojo Yuka / Sankoh
A very matronly Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, stands barefoot amidships on a rather nice dragon. In her left hand she holds a flower (perhaps a lotus flower), while the dragon similarly clutches the symbolic Chintamani Stone (or "treasure ball").
This is a standard pose for Kannon, and this version is subdued in tone yet full of details. The image also includes a complete sutra for the elimination of disasters — this is essentially in Sanskrit transliterated into ancient Chinese, so a typical Japanese reader can make no more meaning of it than you can. Although Kannon is often known as "Goddess of Mercy", experts in Buddhism tell us she is really Avalokitêsvara, who was a man...
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© Takeda Koun
The thirteen Buddhas are a Japanese grouping of deities, traditionally seen as serving a protecting role. Although they are all quite distinct (their names are listed on the box), many of the portrayals are very similar — but notice each has a different mudra, or gesture.
Wikipedia has a complete list of the Thirteen Buddhas (in the same order as the key on the puzzle box)
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© Takatomi Shūhō
A classic pose of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, is to stand on a lotus blossom, but here she has each bare foot on a separate flower, posing a tricky balance problem. In her hand she holds a vial of sacred water, with eight beneficent properties to heal all ills. Although Kannon is normally portrayed as female, experts in Buddhism tell us she is really Avalokitêsvara, who was a man...
The painting is in the form of a kakejiku, a hanging scroll with an abstract pattern down each side. The artist's name is signed 周峰 (Shūhō), but there are no other details.
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© Shokan Fujino / Shoboji
This is a raigō painting, representing a vision of the twenty-five Bodhisattvas arriving on a purple cloud to welcome the faithful into the Buddhist paradise. Traditionally such paintings have been brought to console a person close to death. No artist is named, but we can assume from the copyright claim that this is from the Buddhist painting school of Shokan Fujino, at Shobo Temple in Kyoto.
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© Kayama Ryokusui
The thirteen Buddhas are a grouping of deities within the Shingon sect, which is a branch of Tantric or esoteric Buddhism. They are traditionally seen as serving a protecting role, and here they sit on clouds behind who we can presume to be Kūkai, the Japanese monk who founded Shingon. Some hold flowers, swords, and other implements, and many are performing a mudra, or spiritual gesture.
See Wikipedia entries for Shingon Buddhism and the Thirteen Buddhas: this page includes a list of the names in the same order as the key on the puzzle box.
Very little biographical information to be found on the artist Kayama Ryokusui, who specialises in traditional Japanese styles, particularly of kakemono scrolls. Kayama is an ordinary family name, but Ryokusui is almost certainly a "brush name", consisting of two characters which both mean "green".
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