Ebisu was painted by Unknown in 1804.

Where can I see Ebisu?

Ebisu is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Ebisu?

Ebisu is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Ebisu

Unknown , 1804

Ebisu is an unspecified painting by the Romanticist artist Unknown. It dates from 1804 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

The painting comes from the Edo period, when artists made these kinds of images for everyday people, not just temples.

You see a cheerful man in a red robe holding a big fish and a branch with pink flowers.

This is Ebisu, one of Japan’s Seven Gods of Good Fortune. He’s the god of fishermen and luck, often shown smiling with his catch. The fish, a sea bream, is a symbol of good fortune in Japan. The painting comes from the Edo period, when artists made these kinds of images for everyday people, not just temples.

If you like this, look up more about the subject: *japan, edo period (1615–1868)*.

Overview

The work portrays Ebisu, one of the traditional Seven Deities of Fortune in Japanese belief, depicted in the attire of a Shinto priest. He holds a sizable sea bream and a sprig of camellia blossoms, his expression relaxed and welcoming.

Subject & Meaning

Ebisu is revered as the patron of fishermen and of prosperity. The sea bream he presents is a longstanding emblem of good luck, while the camellia branch, with its pink flowers, adds a seasonal touch associated with renewal and blessing.

Technique & Style

Executed in the Edo period's popular painting idiom, the piece employs bold outlines and flat areas of color characteristic of ukiyo-e influenced works. The red robe and vivid pink camellia contrast sharply with the silvery fish, emphasizing the figure’s celebratory role.

History & Provenance

Created during Japan’s Edo era (1615–1868), the image reflects the period’s demand for accessible religious and folk subjects beyond temple commissions. It circulated among urban households, serving both decorative and devotional purposes.

Context

In the bustling merchant towns of Edo, images of the Seven Gods of Fortune were common talismans for household prosperity. Ebisu, as the sole male deity among them, symbolized the everyday concerns of fishermen and traders, linking daily labor with divine favor.