Ebisu (Shobishin), from the series "A Parody of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune (Mitate shichifukujin)" c. 1828

This woodblock print by Yashima Gakutei presents Ebisu, one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, here parodied as Shobishin. The deity is depicted with his emblematic attributes: a fishing rod and a freshly caught fish—symbols of prosperity and abundance. The fish is no mere object; it is an ancient symbol of life, fertility, and sustenance. Echoes of this motif resonate across cultures, from the fish goddess Atargatis in ancient Syria to early Christian iconography where the fish represented Christ himself. Note how the deity carefully holds the fish; we see a familiar narrative, a powerful psychological motif of the life-giver that has been passed down through generations. This symbolic lineage, the cyclical return of potent images, demonstrates how deeply ingrained these archetypes are within the human psyche. They resurface, evolving yet retaining their primal power, engaging viewers on a subconscious level and reminding us of the enduring human quest for fortune and fulfillment.