Mallet of Daikoku, One of the Gods of Good Fortune, and a Rat - Yashima Gakutei

A refined surimono woodblock print by Yashima Gakutei, depicting the auspicious mallet of Daikoku and a rat, symbols of prosperity and good fortune.

This woodblock print by Yashima Gakutei is a fine example of surimono, a genre of privately commissioned prints often exchanged among poets and art enthusiasts in Edo-period Japan. Surimono prints are characterised by their high production quality, frequently incorporating metallic pigments, embossing, and fine paper.

The composition features the mallet of Daikoku, one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune. In Japanese folklore, Daikoku is associated with wealth and prosperity, and his mallet is a symbol of his ability to grant wishes and bring abundance. Beside the mallet sits a rat, an animal often linked to Daikoku as his messenger or companion. The inclusion of the rat suggests a connection to the zodiac, as the rat is the first animal in the twelve-year cycle.

Gakutei, a student of Totoya Hokkei and Katsushika Hokusai, was known for his technical skill and his ability to integrate poetry with visual art. The calligraphy present on the print is an integral part of the design, reflecting the collaborative nature of surimono culture where visual imagery and literary composition functioned as a unified whole. The artist uses a restrained palette, allowing the textures of the wood grain on the mallet and the soft rendering of the rat to take precedence. The print demonstrates the aesthetic values of the period, where subtle symbolism and refined craftsmanship were highly prized. By focusing on these specific cultural icons, Gakutei provides a glimpse into the traditions of the time, where everyday objects were imbued with auspicious meaning and artistic intent.