This has been a long time mystery for me, can anyone provide translation or a back story on the character?
i emailed my friend in Hong Kong she speaks Chinese fluently its a beautiful item i am very curious what it reads as well would be so funny if it said 'no fishing'
The first kanji is the number 7 and the third kanji is the number 8. I am unsure on the rest. I believe the phrase is some type of idiom.
I believe the carving is of Daruma. Daruma sculptures and other items always right themselves. I believe the saying is something to the effect of "Falling over seven times, returning upright eight times."
Great, thanks Chimply and Andy for the clues which now provide me with this additional information. http://www.welovedaruma.com/en/about_daruma.html "Daruma is closely associated with a beloved Japanese proverb, Nana korobi yaoki, which states, “Fall down seven times, get up eight”. The Daruma doll's unique rounded shape allows it to return to its original position even if knocked over, representing such persistence. Daruma reminds us all to NEVER GIVE UP on our goals and dreams! " I picked up the plaque in a wood-carving village in Taiwan almost 40 years ago. I always liked the looks of it and will now type up a summary to keep on the back side of it for future reference. Thx again!
Yes at first glance I thought it might be Taiwanese, but this set of meanings and objects associated with the god is Japanese. It may have been something produced during the occupation, which ended just a few decades before your visit.
More likely, I think it was made in the early '70's for the nascent Japanese tourist trade which was growing for local carved wooden items as well as export to Japan. The village was Sanyi which is still famous for their wood artistry. http://www.taiwanese-secrets.com/sanyi.html
