Longevity

Maruyama Ōkyo, artist

1733–1795

Longevity, 1782, Edo period (1600–1868)

Where object was made: Japan

Material/technique: ink; silk; color

Dimensions:
Mount Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 181.6 x 53.5 cm
Mount Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 71 1/2 x 21 1/16 in

Credit line: Gift of Jay Gates, Director, Spencer Museum of Art, 1984–1987

Accession number: 2012.0608.a

Not on display

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In this triptych, or three-part painting, longevity is represented by different animals. In the center panel, the elderly god of longevity has a long white beard and leans on a symbol for youth, a white deer. The left panel depicts turtles, which are revered for their long lifespans. Some of the turtles depicted in Japanese art, known as minogame, are so elderly that they have seaweed growing on their shells. The right panel depicts cranes, which are the constant companions of immortals and symbolize luck as well as longevity. East Asian folklore has many tales about cranes, including the Japanese story The Crane Wife.