Shichifukujin

We all hope for good fortune, and to help attract it the Shichifukujin or Japan's Seven Deities of Good Fortune are ubiquitous at souvenir shops in every Japanese tourist resort. It is believed that the seven gods on a takarabune or treasure boat may bring happiness to everyone.

The Shichifukujin date back to the Muromachi era (14C) after seven gods of various origin (Shintoism, Buddhism, Taoism, etc.) were conveniently grouped together.

Daikoku, the god of wealth holds a big bag filled with treasures on his shoulder and an uchideno-kozuchi or lucky mallet in his hand. Ebisu, the god of fishermen, holds a fish called a tai or sea bream and a fishing rod.
Fukurokuju is the god of wisdom and his most notable feature is his very elongated head. Jurojin, the symbol of longevity, has a white beard and carries a cane. Hotei, the god of happiness, who is said to have been an actual Buddhist monk has a jolly face and a big fat belly. Benzaiten, playing her biwa or a four-stringed Japanese lute, is the goddess of arts and music. Lastly there is Bishamon, one of the four deities who protect the north, south, east and west, and who served as Buddha's bodyguard. He's the symbol of the warrior.In Midorii, a town in northern Hiroshima City, there's a beautiful temple called Bishamon-do. People have worshipped since ancient times.
A popular festival called Hatutora-sai is held around the lunar New Year, when people visit to pray to Bishamon for good fortune. This god is especially popular among merchants.

Merchants worshipping the god of warriors? Well, they say business and war have a lot in common!

If you have the chance to see Japan's famous Shichifukujin, how about trying to tell which is which?
 

We all hope for good fortune, and to help attract it the Shichifukujin or Japan's Seven Deities of Good Fortune are ubiquitous at souvenir shops in every Japanese tourist resort. It is believed that the seven gods on a takarabune or treasure boat may bring happiness to everyone.

The Shichifukujin date back to the Muromachi era (14C) after seven gods of various origin (Shintoism, Buddhism, Taoism, etc.) were conveniently grouped together.

Daikoku, the god of wealth holds a big bag filled with treasures on his shoulder and an uchideno-kozuchi or lucky mallet in his hand. Ebisu, the god of fishermen, holds a fish called a tai or sea bream and a fishing rod.
Fukurokuju is the god of wisdom and his most notable feature is his very elongated head. Jurojin, the symbol of longevity, has a white beard and carries a cane. Hotei, the god of happiness, who is said to have been an actual Buddhist monk has a jolly face and a big fat belly. Benzaiten, playing her biwa or a four-stringed Japanese lute, is the goddess of arts and music. Lastly there is Bishamon, one of the four deities who protect the north, south, east and west, and who served as Buddha's bodyguard. He's the symbol of the warrior.In Midorii, a town in northern Hiroshima City, there's a beautiful temple called Bishamon-do. People have worshipped since ancient times.
A popular festival called Hatutora-sai is held around the lunar New Year, when people visit to pray to Bishamon for good fortune. This god is especially popular among merchants.

Merchants worshipping the god of warriors? Well, they say business and war have a lot in common!

If you have the chance to see Japan's famous Shichifukujin, how about trying to tell which is which?
 

 

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