The god of fishermen and good fortune, the smiling and bearded Ebisu (恵比寿*)? is most often depicted dressed as a Japanese peasant with a fishing rod in his right hand, and with a large red sea bream (鯛) dangling from the line or tucked under his left arm. In Japan, this fish (sea bream or red snapper) is a symbol of good forture. Sometimes Ebisu is also carrying a folding fan, and shown wearing a tall pointed hat. The folding fan was waved by the emperor in a certain direction to indicate either acceptance or rejection of a request during the emperor’s audiences with nobles and commoners. It might therefore represent the granting of wishes. The pointed hat is known as the Kazaori Eboshi (風折烏帽子*)?.
Ebisu is one of the Seven Lucky Gods. He is also seen as the equivalent of the Shinto Kunitsu god Kotoshironushi who is also known for the habit of fishing.
