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Collections: Asian Art: Long Prayer Stick

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Long Prayer Stick

The ikupasuy is a sacred object used for prayer. The worshipper dips the sharper end into rice wine (sake) or millet beer, and then sprinkles drops of the liquor. The ikupasuy is believed to be a medium for sending a message to a spirit or god. Delicately carved in relief on plain wood, ikupasuy show numerous design variations. They were sometimes lacquered by neighboring Japanese.

Culture: Ainu
Medium: Hardwood
Place Made: Tokachi District, Hokkaido, Japan
Dates: late 19th-early 20th century
Collections: Asian Art
Museum Location: This item is on view in Asian Galleries, The Arts of Japan, 2nd Floor
Accession Number: 12.230
Credit Line: Gift of Herman Stutzer
Image: Overall, 12.230_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

Catalogue Description: Long hardwood stick with one straight and one pointed end. Elaborate carving in relief on front.

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Crystal_Callender (8)
- black
- long
- flute
- stick
- prayer
- carvings
- decoration
- ainu
hmatlin (1)
- phallic
erin_trying (1)
- prayer

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