Treasure storage of the Seven Lucky Gods ‎(Shichifukujin Takara No Kuraire)‎

Arranged at the top of the composition are the Shichifukujin or Seven Gods of Happiness, to whom various offerings of food are brought by white mice. From right to left, the Seven Gods are Benzaiten, Bishamon, Jurōjin, Daikokuten, Hotei, Ebisu and Fukurokuju. In front of them are scattered various treasures known as takaramono, such as red coral or precious jewellery, which, according to legend, are brought in on the treasure boat (takarabune). Small mice, which behave like humans, carry different foods, especially white radishes (daikon); in the centre, one of the mice carries a large forked radish, and on the left, two mice pull a cart carrying radishes and barrels of rice. Both the radish and the rice barrel are elements that form part of the iconography of Daikoku, the god of fortune, who appears in other representations alongside them. On the back of Daikoku's costume you can even see a representation of radish leaves. Likewise, the rat, in particular the lucky white rat (fuku nezumi), is also associated with Daikoku, being his assistant and messenger and with which he is portrayed in various scenes. In the print, the rats are dressed in one of the most common male costumes of the Edo Period (1603-1868), consisting of baggy trousers called hakama, which are worn over the kimono. On the right, two of the mice on their knees are wearing the full kamishimo costume, consisting of the hakama trousers and the kataginu on top.