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Todoroki set - Gods of Good Fortune Series for New Year

Amanda
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1. What is included in the Todoroki Set?

The Todoroki Set features six art pieces from Tomohiro Todoroki's "招福シリーズ" (Good Fortune Series):

  • 龍 (Dragon): A playful and lively depiction of a dragon, symbolizing wealth and prosperity.
  • ふぐ (Fugu): A combination of pufferfish and Ebisu, embodying warmth and happiness.
  • 宝船 (Treasure Ship): Represents the Seven Lucky Gods, using orange tones for energy and warmth.
  • 招き猫 (Maneki-Neko): A beckoning cat with its left paw raised to attract customers and good fortune.
  • 富士山 (Mt. Fuji): A colorful and humorous reinterpretation of the iconic mountain.
  • ドラゴン宝船 (Dragon Treasure Ship): A modernized fusion of the dragon and Seven Lucky Gods, bringing together tradition and contemporary expression.

  • 大黒天 with ドラゴン (Daikokuten with Dragon): the god of wealth and prosperity, with a majestic dragon, symbolizing strength and protection. 

2. Who is the artist behind the Todoroki Set?

Tomohiro Todoroki
Born 1974, Tokyo, Japan

Tomohiro Todoroki is an artist known as a “vehicle painter” who has established a unique position in the contemporary art world. 2002 and 2003 he exhibited at the ART EXPO in New York, where his innovative and powerful style attracted attention and international acclaim. In 2013, he became the first Oriental artist to have a solo exhibition at the Mille Miglia Museum in Italy. This landmark exhibition cemented his position and brought him widespread recognition in Europe.
In addition to creating artworks, his talent in the field of commercial design is also highly regarded, as he was chosen by Maiani, a long-established Italian chocolate manufacturer founded in 1796, to design the packaging for their popular “FIAT Chocolate” product.

His representative works can be roughly divided into two series: the vehicle series and the beckoning series. In the vehicle series, he expresses the power and speed of industrial products such as automobiles, trains, and bullet trains with “rickety and snarly lines” that reflect the admiration and amazement he felt as a child. Furthermore, the dense colors are created by a unique technique of layering multiple layers of gouache, giving a sense of life and dynamism to the entire picture plane. On the other hand, in his “Invitation to Good Luck” series, he uses traditional Japanese lucky charms such as beckoning cats, sea breams, and the Seven Gods of Good Fortune as motifs, developing a group of works that are both lovely and powerful. Through these works, he continues to bring positive energy of joy and happiness to his viewers.

His solo exhibitions are always titled “Happy Drive! This title expresses the artist's message of “we are all moving forward together.

Major Collections
National Automobile Museum (Italy)
Mille Miglia Museum (Italy)
Toyota Museum (Japan)
San Diego Automobile Museum (U.S.A.)

Major Exhibitions
2023-Present: “Red Fuji” exhibited on the entire glass surface at Seibu Shibuya, Building A, 1F (Japan)
2024: Solo Exhibition at Sogo Yokohama Store (Japan)
2023:
Solo Exhibition at Hanshin Umeda Main Store (Japan)
Solo Exhibition at Daimaru Fukuoka Tenjin Store (Japan)
2022: Exhibition at Daimaru Tokyo Store, “Daimaru Contemporary Art Exhibition - Pop & Street” (Japan)
2022: Solo Exhibition at Seibu Ikebukuro Store (Japan)
2021:
Solo exhibition at GINZA SIX (Japan)
Provided artwork at the promotion of the entire Chiba Sogo store (Japan)
Solo Exhibition at Department Store Liubou Okinawa (Japan)
Solo Exhibition at Mitsukoshi Sapporo Store (Japan)
Solo Exhibition at Daimaru Shinsaibashi Store (Japan)
Solo exhibition at MUJI store (U.S.A.)
Exhibited works on two windows at Seibu Shibuya in the New Year (Japan)
2020: Solo exhibition at Seibu Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
2017: Exhibition of works at Museo Nazionale d'Automobile, Italy (Italy)
2013: Solo exhibition at Mille Miglia Museum (Italy)
2012: Exhibited at Retro Mobile, a classic car festival (France)
2012：Solo exhibition at ARTY DANDY, France

Awards
2009: Selected for “New York Festivals Film Festival” in the category of educational program
2003: “GEISAI Museum” Okamoto Toshiko Prize

 

3. How to purchase Todoroki set?

3.1. 龍 (Dragon)

Dragons are believed to be the presiding beings of water and rain, and are believed to be the deities of fertility and prosperity. Since rain is especially important in agriculture, dragons have been revered as beings that bring nature's bounty.

As mentioned above, the dragon is a symbol of wealth and economic prosperity, and the work uses a caricature-like deformation unique to the Todoroki style, allowing the viewer to enjoy a pop and joyful atmosphere.

3.2. ふぐ (Fugu)

Fugu (blowfish) is called “fuku” (pronounced “fuku”) in some regions, which is pronounced the same as “fuku” and is considered a good-luck motif. The smiling Ebisu-sama is placed on the fugu.

Ebisu-sama's characteristic full smile and calm expression symbolize “good fortune comes to those who smile. His harmonious appearance is believed to give people a sense of security and bring happiness and prosperity. Combining “fugu” (blowfish) and “Ebisu-sama,” both of which are well-known as lucky charms, this work is full of happiness and warmth.

3.3. 宝船 (Gold Ship)

This work depicts seven gods of good fortune. The Seven Lucky Gods are seven gods who symbolize happiness and prosperity and have a great deal of significance as lucky charms. Each of them is a precious being who presides over different good luck and fortune and grants all kinds of wishes.

The treasure ship on which the Seven Gods of Good Fortune ride is colored in bright orange, and this orange gives off a sense of energy and warmth, giving the viewer a strong sense of vitality and positivity.
This work is a sophisticated expression of a fusion of symbolic meaning and visual effect in the choice of colors.

3.4. 招き猫 (Maneki-Neko)

The beckoning cat is a lucky charm symbolizing “happiness, prosperity, and good fortune. The pose of a beckoning cat with one hand raised has a meaning for each side. A beckoning cat with its left hand raised, as in this work, is meant to attract customers and people.

While the backgrounds of many works are painted in white, this work uses bright colors such as pink, light blue, and green to create a more positive and festive atmosphere. In addition, various textures are applied to the backgrounds, which not only create a mere arrangement of colors, but also accentuate the structural expression of depth and a sense of three-dimensionality.

3.5. 宝船 (Mt. Fuji)

Fuji series started in 2021 when we were commissioned to exhibit a work in the show window of the Seibu Shibuya store. Fuji has been interpreted and used in various ways in Japanese art, not only as a mere geographical feature, but also as a profound symbol with cultural and spiritual significance.
Fuji's symmetrical and graceful form is considered one of the Japanese ideal standards of beauty, and has been depicted by many artists as a motif that can express national identity and cultural pride. Fuji has been depicted by many artists, but in the hands of artist Tomohiro Todoroki, it takes on a new appeal that is colorful, unique, and somehow delightful.

3.6. ドラゴン宝船 (Dragon Gold Ship)

The Seven Gods of Good Fortune riding on a dragon is an extremely auspicious motif, containing many symbols such as stillness and motion, heaven and earth, good fortune and protection. Motifs combining “dragons” and “seven gods of good fortune” were popularly depicted until the Edo period (1603-1868), and played an important role in Japan's unique spiritual culture and artistic expression. However, with the progress of Westernization and changes in values after the Meiji period, this motif gradually disappeared from the art world and was buried in history.

In this work, the artist reinterprets this traditional motif from a contemporary perspective and revives it as an artistic expression. The artist has combined the artistic value of the past with the context of the present and breathed new life into it.

3.7. 大黒天 with ドラゴン (Daikokuten with Dragon): 

Daikokuten is one of the seven gods of good fortune in Japan, and has long been a symbol of fertility, wealth, prosperity, family happiness, and business prosperity in Japanese culture. His peaceful appearance and significance as a symbol of good fortune have been passed down to the present day as a presence that brings happiness and hope to many people. The dragon is depicted on both sides of Daikoku-sama, creating a pop yet mystical image that combines strength and abundance.

In this work, the three primary colors of red, blue, and yellow are skillfully placed to create visual impact. The vivid and powerful colors evoke a sense of dynamism and vitality, while at the same time naturally capturing the viewer's attention. In addition, Daikoku-sama's big smile adds a sense of brightness and friendliness to the entire work, and a positive message of fertility and happiness is strongly conveyed.

3.8. Todoroki set

The Todoroki Set is a premium collection of 7 exquisite products that showcase the vibrant and unique art of Todoroki Tomohiro. Each item in the set captures a distinct aspect of his creative genius, ranging from the powerful energy of the Dragon and Dragon Gold Ship to the auspicious charm of the Beckoning Cat and the elegance of the Fuji. Perfect for collectors and art lovers alike, this set offers an unmatched blend of symbolism, artistry, and craftsmanship.

 

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