Announcement Flier "Ebisu and the Boats"

Announcement fliers, called hikifuda, were fliers that announced sales, special deals, and other information about shops and products from the Edo Period (1603-1868) to the Taishō Period (1912-1926). In addition to color pictures, these fliers included general advertisements, product names, and more detailed information about shops and companies. Entire calendars of colorful fliers that could be hung on walls were sometimes distributed on a shop's opening day or in lieu of greeting cards during the New Year period. Among omens of good luck, Ebisu (the god of fishing and commerce) and Daikoku (the god of wealth) were popular subjects of these fliers.