I was born into a fishing family in Hokkaido and grew up by the shore. I spent more than 400 hours painting this treasure ship. The Seven Lucky Gods hold salmon, scallops and kelp, Hokkaido's great gifts from the sea, and set out with a golden dragon over the morning sea.
A lucky charm that carries good fortune: the treasure ship of the Seven Lucky Gods
The treasure ship carrying the Seven Lucky Gods has long been loved by ordinary people as a lucky charm that brings good fortune. This ship carries the gifts of the Hokkaido sea where I was born and raised. I painted it hoping it will bring joy not only to those who work at sea and their families, but to all kinds of celebrations, from starting a business to celebrating a long life.
A painting full of good-luck symbols
Into the robes of each god I painted auspicious traditional patterns such as pine-bamboo-plum, treasures, tortoiseshell, waves and shippo. The character 寶 on the sail, the golden dragon at the bow, the crane in the sky, the turtle in the sea and the morning sea: the closer you look, the more good-luck symbols you will find.
A ship sailing with the morning sun at its back
I made the bow of the treasure ship a golden dragon god, and worked on every detail, from the dragon's scales and vines to the tortoiseshell and wave decorations on the hull. In the ship pushing powerfully over rough waves with the morning sun at its back, I placed hope for a new day and a new voyage.
May your days be bright and abundant
With richness of heart, richness of life and many blessings, may the days of everyone who hangs this treasure ship be bright and abundant. With a ship's name, company name or your own name added, it becomes a treasure ship that is yours alone.
Painter KOHIKO (光日子)
