ki-uso
- Museum number
- As2001,16.7
- Description
-
Amulet in form of a bullfinch (ki-uso) on a perch. Cylinder of wood with notch carved out of middle to differentiate between bird and perch, tail feathers curling away from bottom half, top of head painted black with patch of gold at back, white eyes with black pupils, red beak, tail and wings black with some green; claws painted on perch. Red seal on base. Sold in shrines dedicated to Tenjin, for the Usokae (transforming lies) festival. One of a group of similar figures.
- Production date
- 2000
- Dimensions
-
Height: 7.50 centimetres
-
Weight: 24 grammes
-
Width: 3.20 centimetres
-
Depth: 2.90 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- Such amulets in the shape of a bullfinch ('uso' in Japanese) on a perch are sold at some shrines dedicated to the god Tenjin and placed in the home to absorb lies (also 'uso' in Japanese) throughout the year. They are exchanged on the day of 'usokae' (23-24 January at Kameido Tenjinsha, Tokyo), the old ones disposed of and new ones bought. The figures are sold in a variety of sizes (As2001,16.1-10). The bullfinch is also found on other types of objects (As2001,16.11-12). (S. Pimpaneau, 2002)
- Location
- Not on display
- Associated events
- Associated Event: Usokae (Kameido Tenjin-sha) 23-24 January
- Acquisition date
- 2001
- Acquisition notes
- Bought on 24 January 2001 for the BP Showcase Exhibition on 'Souvenirs in Contemporary Japan'. British Museum Department of Ethnography; field collection.
- Department
- Asia
- Registration number
- As2001,16.7