The Seven Gods of Fortune 七福神 | Okamoto Ryūdō 岡本龍堂 | 19th century

It is rare that one cannot find the slightest clue to the person of the painter in an interesting, well-painted picture. There is no information about Okamoto Ryūdō in any representative reference source. The painter has an original signature of calligraphic quality, and the probably The stamp is very attractively designed. A painter with the ordinary, inconspicuous name Okamoto has chosen a pleasant-sounding name (artist name): "Ryūdō" - "Dragon Hall".

The treatment of the topic - the Seven Dancing Gods of Fortune - is original and handled confidently. The color concept is captivating. At the top right, Hotei is dancing, recognizable by the Chinese fan attribute. He has laid down his sack next to the white deer of Jurōjin and next to the fragrant jewel of Fukurokuju. In front of it lies the wrapped biwa lute of the Benzaiten. At the bottom is the staff with the scroll of Jurōjin. Behind these utensils, Ebisu is dancing with his fishing rod.

In the group of three in the middle, Benzaiten is dancing on the right, Daikokuten is facing forward and Fukurokuju is probably dancing with his back to the viewer. 

On the right edge is Jurōjin and, again seen from behind, Bishamonten. Below are utensils that can all be assigned to a god. You can quickly make out the two large gray rice bales that normally have Daikokuten written on them. Under the white sack (this time probably belonging to Jurōjin) are Jurōjin's fan and walking stick. The small pagoda next to it belongs to Bishamonten, as does the halberd hoko. Ebisu collects his fish in the brown basket.

The rhythm in this picture is enchanting - the groups are loosely connected, mysteriously they all stand together without touching each other. The delicacy of the colors and pattern combinations makes it incomprehensible how such a painter could be completely forgotten as a personality.