Comment - The central figure is Daikokuten, one of 'The Seven Lucky Gods' or 'Seven Gods of Fortune' (shichifukujin, 七福神), is holding sixteen red strings in his right fist. He is drawing a lottery during a celebration for the New Year 1876, which was the Year of the Rat. Several rats, dressed in court attire, are tugging on, trying to get the 'Lucky Draw'. In the center, another rat carries a large white radish with it's bunch of greens on his back. The turnip has an attached bonus price, the white paper slip names it 'eleven fragrances' or incense (Ju Ichi Ka, 十一香) in the form of two small umbrellas.
Daikokuten and the other Gods of Fortune are all believed to grant good luck to it's believers. It is known that these deities have their origins in ancient gods of fortune: from the Hinduism practiced in Nepal and India (Benzaiten, Bishamonten, Daikokuten); and from the Chinese Taoism and Buddhism (Fukurokuju, Hotei, Jurojin), except for Ebisu, who has a Japanese ancestry. The worship of this group of gods is also due to the importance of the number seven in Japan, which is supposedly a lucky number.

Next to Daikokuten is Bishamonten. With his big lancet and a burning candle on the lancet tip, he tries to burn the left big earlobe of Hotei. Nearly naked, unshaved, and fat Lucky God Hotei sits on a red carpet, with both hands pressing a brown box or stone on the tail of the disguised Jurojin. Jurojin is wearing a mouse costume. The three Lucky Gods Fukurokuji (tall black hat, long beard), Benzaiten (violet kimono, snake-like green scarf, holding a shamisen instead her classical biwa-flute) and Ebisu (black hat, brown jacket, holding a red dish) seem to accompany musically the quarrel between Bishamonten, Hotei, and Jurojin.

On the right panel, Okame, the Godess of Mirth is presenting a plate with two sorts of delicacies (written "NiKa", "二香"). Behind her, an enormous amount of presents is stacked up like an altar, with all manner of gifts, bolts of cloth, including a branch of red coral in a pot, picture rolls and a lot of more discoverable items. Next to the big yellow straw-wrapped sake cask are four kites. A violet colored small yakko kite on the floor between Okame and the yellow sake cask, an Edo kite ("Edo-tako", "江戸凧") with red characters ("Kanji kite", "ji tako", "字凧") on light blueish background directly behind the yellow sake cask (Edo-1), a small Edo with yellow characters on dark background (Edo-2) ad a big Edo kite towering dirctly behind the big yellow straw-wrapped sake cask (Edo-3) with a violet blue checkersquare and a red sun symbol (often featured Japanese flag kite).

Refer to the explanations by clicking on the big picture or links. Compare with the woodblock print "Seven Gods of Good Fortune at the Foot of Mount Fuji"


Series -  Shinban daikokuten fukubiki no zu (新板 大黒天福引之図)

Artist - see Biography


Signature - Kawanabe Kyōsai (河鍋 暁斎), signature cassettes on every individul panel


Publisher -  Takegawa Unokichi (武川卯之吉), red casette, lower right panel (small cassette under signature cassette adjacent to publisher cassette is carvers seal)


Image Size - 37.4 x 78.3 cm   (14 2/6" x 30 3/4")


Condition - tryptich; woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, three separate panels, all vertical ôban;