A Japanese votive wooden mallet from a Shinto shrine. The mallet is the attribute of Daikoku, the god of good fortune’s lucky mallet. It is thought that Daikoku’s mallet can grant wishes and is often depicted on its own and is commonly recognizable as his emblem. The surface of the mallet is painted with auspicious symbols including a dragon amongst clouds, a treasure house key, gold coins and a hojunotama (jewel of wish fulfillment). In addition, the front of the mallet is painted three lobed crests hidari-mitsudomoe, or "left threefold tomoe", which is widely used in Shinto shrines and as a family emblem. The crests possibly indicate the name of the donor or indicating the shrine from which it originated. With wear from age, and on a contemporary metal stand.

c. 19^th century (late Edo – early Meiji period), Japan

22 ¼" height x 17" width