Boys Maquerading as Daikoku and Ebisu - Kitao Shigemasa

A delicate woodblock print by Kitao Shigemasa showing two children dressed as the Japanese deities Daikoku and Ebisu, rendered in a traditional benizuri-e style.

This woodblock print by Kitao Shigemasa depicts two children dressed in the traditional attire of Daikoku and Ebisu, two of the Seven Lucky Gods in Japanese folklore. The figure on the left holds the mallet associated with Daikoku, the deity of wealth and commerce, while the figure on the right carries the fishing rod and sea bream characteristic of Ebisu, the patron of fishermen and merchants. The artist employs the benizuri-e technique, a style of early colour printing that typically uses a limited palette of pink and green alongside black ink.

Shigemasa, a master of the Ukiyo-e tradition, demonstrates his skill in capturing the youthful expressions and postures of the children. The garments are decorated with patterns, including a motif of small rabbits on the robe of the child portraying Daikoku. The composition is balanced, focusing on the interaction between the two figures as they perform their roles. The use of line is precise, defining the folds of the fabric and the features of the faces with clarity. The background remains plain, which directs the viewer's attention to the costumes and the symbolic objects held by the subjects.

This work reflects the cultural practice of children participating in seasonal festivals or theatrical performances, where they would adopt the personas of deities to bring good fortune. The print serves as a record of Edo-period customs and the aesthetic preferences of the time. The muted colour scheme, typical of the period before the full development of nishiki-e (brocade prints), provides a soft, understated quality to the image. The print is an example of the artist's ability to blend narrative detail with decorative elements, maintaining a sense of harmony throughout the composition.