Like kids in the West knowing all about fairy tales, Japanese children are raised to be familiar with a quirky cast of ancient folk gods and mythical creatures. Here we meet the most popular of these, the Shichifukujin—the Seven Lucky Gods.
The Shichifukujin blend Shinto and Buddhist beliefs, and also have roots in Hindu and Taoist traditions. You will spot sculptures and paintings of the seven at temples and shrines throughout Japan, and the deities also pop up as talismans in bars, restaurants, and shops. On New Year’s Eve, it’s traditional to sleep with a picture of the Shichifukujin under your pillow to bring luck for the year.
Be More Japan seven lucky gods
D On New Year’s Day, residents of Shirakawa (Gifu Prefecture) dress as the Shichifukujin and dance around the village to celebrate the arrival of the deities.
Be More Japan seven lucky gods
Traveling together in their treasure-laden ship Takarabune, the Shichifukujin are a motley collection of colorful personalities with unique powers and characteristics.
D Fukurokuju
Fukurokuju The patron of chess players, Fukurokuju is the god of wisdom, luck and longevity and happiness. His head is as big as his body and he carries a cane and a written scroll. He’s often accompanied by a turtle, crow or deer, as these animals symbolise long life.
D Benzaiten
Benzaiten The only female of the seven, Benzaiten is a beautiful and artistic deity who is the patron of creative people such as artists, writers and geisha. She carries a biwa (a traditional lute-like instrument) and has a pet white snake.
D Bishamonten
Bishamonten Bishamonten is the warrior god and patron of fighters. He’s dressed in armour and carries a pagoda in one hand and a spear in the other – a reference to his role as a protector of holy sites.
D Daikokuten
Daikokuten Daikokuten is the smiling, short-legged god of commerce who wears a hat and carries a bag full of swag. He is the patron of bankers, cooks and farmers, and is sometimes depicted in female form as Daikokunyo.
D Ebisu
Ebisu God of prosperity and wealth, Ebisu is the only one of the seven who is purely Japanese. The patron of fishermen, he is identified by his fishing rod and is often used as a mascot at fish restaurants and shops.
D Hotei
Hotei Hotei, who represents fortune and popularity, is the patron of children and barmen. Too fat for his clothes, the cheerful, bald man carries a bag packed with fortunes over his shoulder. He is believed to be based on a real Chinese man of the 10th century called Kaishi.
D Juroujin
Juroujin Juroujin is also a god of longevity and is patron to the elderly. Very tall with an elongated head and straggly white beard, he is often depicted with a tortoise and a 1,500-year-old crane.
Be More Japan seven lucky gods
D BENZAITEN, Sculptures of the Shichifukujin are a common sight at shrines and temples
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