Ebisu, the god of daily food, is one of the seven gods of good fortune, popularly revered together as a group. The figure holds a large fish, a sea bream, in one arm and a fishing pole in the other. The Japanese word for sea bream (tai) is a homonym for the last syllable of the word for happiness (medetai); therefore, the fish has become the symbol of good fortune. Ebisu is particularly revered by fishermen and tradesmen.
Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust
17th-18th century
Wood with traces of paint
33.4 x 24.5 x 17.5 in
33-1554
Image and text: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 2023
Where you'll find this
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Permanent collection