A vintage shikishi artwork card beautifully combines traditional Japanese calligraphy with a folk motif of the beloved Akabeko, a red cow associated with good health and protection from illness. The legend says that during the construction of Enzō-ji Temple in the 9th century, a red cow helped carry heavy materials and, even after death, its spirit continued to assist. It became a symbol of selfless effort and protection.
Rendered in a brush-style ink illustration with soft watercolor accents, the Akabeko stands inside a symbolic frame reminiscent of an ema (wooden prayer plaque), carrying a portable shrine structure on its back—suggesting its origins in the Aizu region of Fukushima.
The bold calligraphy above reads 福來 (fuku rai), which translates as “fortune comes” or “may happiness arrive.” This phrase, along with the Akabeko, expresses a strong wish for well-being, prosperity, and good luck, making this artwork especially meaningful as a seasonal decoration or gift.
