Archives for the day of: 12/04/2011

Kitchen God Wood Block Print

12/04/2011 //
0

W220xL300mm, China

This is a wood block print of the Kitchen God (Zao Jun) which traditional would be placed in the kitchen. He has been worshiped by the Chinese since about 1050BC!  The Kitchen God is believed to control the fortune of the household; at the end of the year (form 23 to 30 December of the lunar calender) he will report to the Jade Emperor all the kindness and evil deeds the family has done over that year.  The two assistant gods by his side, one hold a can with the record of the kind deeds and the other the evil record can.  Before the Kitchen God depart for his yearly duty, the families (usually on the 23rd) would make offering to thank him.  The offering are all sweet and gluey food, hoping it would stick to his mouth and sweet things would be said in his report.  Others would add a pair of couplet note to remind him, wine to to make him drunk etc.  hmmm … (also see The Return of the Kitchen God-01/26/2012)

Advertisement
Tags , , ,
Categories painting / prints, paper

Embroidery Jacket

12/04/2011 //
3

China

This is a jacket designed and tailored by our shop in the style of the Miao tribe.  The decorative pieces are embroidery from the Miao tribe in Gui Zhou.  The red eye creature in the embroidery (can you spot it?) is a three legged toad.  The toad represented wealth and good harvest.  This representation is shared by an old Chinese folk story; once upon a time there was an evil monster, the young Lui Hai had him defeated and it turned out to be a three legged toad.  The toad turned good and followed Lui everywhere fighting other monsters.  Lui also has a habit of aiding the poor, the legend has it that the toad has the ability of  bring wealth, at where he reside there is treasure.  The toad became a symbol of fortune and blessing.

Tags , , , ,
Categories costume, embroidery, tribal
%d bloggers like this: