“The Year of the Dragon is Finally Here!!”

Next year is finally the Year of the Dragon!
Many people probably associate Meisui with “dragons.”

The dragon gods are mythical creatures worshiped as water deities who protect against fire and pray for bountiful harvests. They are also sometimes revered as dragon gods who possess a sacred jewel that grants the wishes of all things.

As familiar as the dragons appearing in the openings of Japanese folktales, dragon gods hold a special place in the hearts of Japanese people, being both mighty and yet very close and approachable gods.

I have painted dragon gods many times in various settings, but no matter how many times I do, they remain a challenging subject. Because they are imaginary creatures, I create stories about each dragon god’s dwelling and personality, trying to imagine their existence as realistically as possible when I paint them.

　

　

“There are many different kinds of dragon gods.”

In Hayakawa Town where I live, there is a sacred mountain called Shichimen-san, and it is said that a dragon god called Shichimen Daimyojin resides in a lake there. This lake is called Ichinoike (First Pond), and right in front of it stands the Shichimen-san Keishin-in temple.

This Shichimen Daimyojin is said to transform into a human form, and when in human form, is known as the goddess Shichimen Tennyo. She is a beautiful goddess who holds the “key” that opens the door to the heart and the “jewel” that grants all wishes. She is enshrined at Keishin-in and is very famous as a deity who connects people’s relationships, drawing many worshippers from all over Japan every year.

I am also a fan of Shichimen-sama, and I have had the honor of depicting the Shichimen Tennyo as I perceive her in several of my artworks.

　

“Welcoming the Dragon God to usher in the New Year!”

The Dragon God, a Being of Great Power

As the Year of the Dragon, ruled by such a mighty divine being, it feels only natural to spend the year striving forward with the hope of rising like a soaring dragon.

At Eisui’s Shop, you’ll find not only original artworks but also a variety of pieces available as giclée prints. Original paintings may be large and difficult to accommodate, but giclée prints come in various sizes and can be framed to match your interior, making it easy to enjoy them as part of your daily surroundings.

Each giclée print from Eisui is carefully hand-finished with gold foil, allowing you to enjoy the same shimmering brilliance of genuine gold leaf as in the original pieces. (Please note that some works cannot be foil-stamped.)

Using only the finest quality pigments, these prints are highly resistant to fading and can be treasured for many years to come.

We recommend placing the artwork near a window, where the natural light throughout the day brings out ever-changing expressions in the piece. For those leading busy lives, spending even a short moment sipping tea while watching the shifting brilliance of the artwork can offer a deep sense of healing.

Over the course of a year, that quiet time spent with the artwork will surely deepen your self-reflection, bring calm to your heart, and uplift the quality of your everyday life.

When you’re feeling tired, let your gaze soften as you take in the artwork—empty your mind, and allow yourself to be immersed in the light’s changing glow, gently restoring your energy.

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