A large Japanese hearth hook, jizai, of keyaki (zelkova) wood. The Daikoku type hook, so named for its resemblance to Daikoku’s (God of Good Fortune’s) hat, would have originally hung from a ceiling beam over the sunken hearth, irori, for suspension of a kettle or pot above the fire. As much symbolic as functional the overly large hook was meant to be a symbol of the family’s prosperity and stability. The hook with much of its original translucent red lacquer finish and areas of patina from exposure to smoke. With suspension pegs and deep groove where the kettle’s rope passed through the hook. Early 20th century 19” high x 17” wide x 6 ¾” wide (12 ½” wide at pegs)
