The Seven Gods of Happiness

15 November 2002 - 9 März 2003

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At the centre of this exhibition devoted to the Seven Gods of Happiness (Shichi Fukujin) is a series of surimono prints, signed Gakutei, and dated to the end of the 1820s. These sumptuous and colourful prints, which were privately made for a poetry circle known as the “Seven Treasures” (Shippô), show these popular Japanese gods in the guise of beautiful women (bijin). In addition to the prints, a selection of lacquer ware, netsuke and sword fittings, as well as a series of massive gold figurines signed Yasuchika, further illustrate the theme of the Gods of Happiness.