Description

Japanese antique scroll painting of the Lucky God, Ebisu. He sits on a rocky shoreline with his fishing pole in his right hand. Tucked under his left arm is a giant fish.

Ebisu is the Japanese god of fishermen and luck. He is one of the Seven Gods of Fortune (七福神), and the only one of the seven to originate purely from Japan without any Hindu influence.

The weak child overcame many hardships, grew legs (and, presumably, the rest of his skeletal structure) at the age of three, and became the god Ebisu He remains slightly crippled and deaf, but mirthful and auspicious nonetheless (hence the title, “The laughing god”). He is often depicted wearing a tall hat—the Kazaori Eboshi (風折烏帽子) holding a rod and a large red sea bream or sea bass. Jellyfish are also associated with the god and the fugu restaurants of Japan will often incorporate Ebisu in their motif.

Painted in sumi ink on paper. Signed by the artist and with two seals.

Edo Period (18th century)

Dimensions: Total: 49″ high x 26 1/2″ wide (28 1/2″ wide including ends). Art: 13 1/2″ high x 21″ wide