Daikoku Riding a Large Rat c. late 19th century

Curator: Here we have a print by Katsushika Hokuichi, titled "Daikoku Riding a Large Rat." It’s a shikishiban, a type of Japanese print, and can be found at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first thought? Delightfully bizarre! The exaggerated features, that enormous rat...it's got this chaotic energy. Curator: Indeed. Daikoku is one of the seven gods of fortune, often associated with wealth. Rats, traditionally, are his messengers. Editor: A god of fortune riding a rodent – there's a kind of topsy-turvy humor there. Perhaps a statement about where true power resides? Curator: Possibly. It also reflects how popular beliefs adapt. The rat becomes not vermin but a sacred animal, a vehicle for divine power. Editor: I love how the artist balances the grotesque and the endearing. It’s like a fever dream you can't help but smile at. Curator: This piece is a great example of how art can reflect and shape social beliefs. Editor: Right, it tickles the brain while sparking a deeper conversation. Pretty neat trick!