Daikoku and rats bringing rice bales to Ebisu
1850
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1850
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This painting shows a busy scene with two big rats pulling a cart full of rice. Nearby, a man in a hat sits on a pile of rice bags. Other rats scurry around, some carrying bundles. Trees and a bamboo fence line the background. The rats look like they’re hard at work, almost like farmers. The artist drew them with simple lines and flat colors, no deep shadows. Check out more by Utagawa Sadahide to see how he played with everyday scenes.
