KINGYO presents a young lady from the Edo Period of Japan wearing a flowing jacket decorated with embroidered goldfish. The Edo Period, beginning in 1603 and lasting for over 250 years was Japan’s golden age. During that time, there were no military conflicts as the country was isolated from rest of the world. Wealth was spent, instead, on the development of the arts, which flourished.

Kingyo is the Japanese word for goldfish. It is a symbol of wealth and good luck. China introduced the goldfish to Japan in the 1500’s. As Japan’s culture prospered, the goldfish found its way into Japanese art and design. By the middle of the Edo Period, goldfish had become popular among aristocrats, samurais, and the nobility.