This vintage shikishi board print by Tanaka Shosen (田中松泉, b.1918) gracefully illustrates one of the most auspicious motifs in Japanese folk tradition: the rat of Daikokuten (大黒天), playfully interacting with the lucky mallet (福槌 / fukuzuchi).
Daikokuten, one of the Seven Lucky Gods (Shichifukujin), is the deity of wealth, prosperity, and abundance. His divine messenger—the rat—is believed to symbolize overflowing granaries and fortune. The fukuzuchi, a mallet that grants wishes when shaken, adds even more lucky connotations to this already auspicious scene. In this composition, the calligraphy at the top reads 福来 (fuku rai), meaning “Blessings Come,” amplifying the symbolism of good fortune and welcoming prosperity into one’s life or home.
Tanaka Shosen, born in Nara in 1918, was known for his graceful ink work and refined compositions. Selected for exhibitions such as the Kyoga Exhibition, his art blends traditional motifs with Zen-inspired simplicity and warmth. Size: 24 x 27cm
