Mr. Griffis says: Every Japanese child knows the _Shichifuku Jin_, or the seven Patrons of Happiness. They have charge of long life, riches, daily food, contentment, talents, glory and love. Their images, carved in ivory, wood, stone, or cast in bronze, are found in every house, sold in the stores, painted on shop-signs, and found in picture-books. They are a jolly company, and make a happy family. On New Year’s Eve, a picture of the Treasure-ship (Yakarébuné), laden with Shippí (the seven jewels) and with all the good things of life which men most desire, is hung up in houses. The ship is coming into port, and the passengers are the seven happy fairies who will make gifts to the people. These seven jewels are the same as those which Momotaro brought back from the Onis island. [Illustration: DAIKOKU, THE RICE-GOD, ON HIS THRONE OF RICE-BAGS.] First there is Fukoruku Jin, the patron of long life or length of days. He has an enormously high forehead, rounded at the top, which makes his head look like a sugar loaf. It is bald and shiny. A few stray white hairs sometimes sprout up, and the barber, to reach them, has to prop a ladder against his head to climb up and apply his razor. This big head comes from thinking so much. His eyebrows are white like cotton, and a long, snowy beard falls down over his breast. When in a specially good humor, he ties a handkerchief over his high, slippery crown, and allows little boys to climb up on top--that is, if they are good boys, and can write well. When he wants to show how strong and lively he is, even though so old, he lets Daikoku, the fat fellow, ride on top of his head while he smokes his pipe and wades across a river. Daikoku has to hold on tightly, or he will slip down and get a ducking. Usually, the old shiny-head is a very solemn gentleman, and walks slowly along with his staff in one hand, while with the other he strokes his long eyebrows. The tortoise and the crane are always with him, for these are his pets. Sometimes a stag, with hair white with age, walks behind him. Everybody likes Fukoruku Jin, because every one wants to get his favor and live until, like a lobster, his back is bent with age. At a wedding, you will always see a picture of white-bearded and shiny-pated Fukoruku Jin. [Illustration: FUKORUKU JIN, THE GOD WHO CAN BESTOW LONG LIFE. From a Japanese Picture showing their conception of the way in which the gods can supervise affairs in various places.]