Seven Lucky Gods

thumb|230px|[[Netsuke depicting the Seven Gods of Fortune, on display at Bern Historical Museum]]

In Japanese mythology, the are believed to grant good luck and are often represented in netsuke and in artworks. One of the seven (Jurōjin) is said to be based on a historical figure.

They all began as remote and impersonal gods, but gradually became much closer canonical figures for certain professions and Japanese arts. During the course of their history, the mutual influence between gods has created confusion about which of them was the patron of certain professions. The worship of this group of gods is also due to the importance of the number seven in Japan, supposedly a signifier of good luck.

Origin and history

thumb|upright=1|From left to right: Hotei, Jurōjin, Fukurokuju, Bishamonten, Benzaiten, Daikokuten, Ebisu

It is known that these deities mostly have their origins as ancient gods of fortune from religions popular in Japan: from Mahayana Buddhism (Benzaiten, Bishamonten, Daikokuten, Hotei) which came to Japan from China but originated in India, and from Chinese Taoism (Fukurokuju and Jurōjin); except for one (Ebisu) who has a native Japanese ancestry.

These gods have been recognized as such for over a thousand years. In the beginning, these gods were worshiped by merchants as the first two (Ebisu and Daikokuten) were gods of business and trade.

Subsequently, other classes of Japanese society looked for gods that could correspond with their professions: Benzaiten as the patron of the arts, Fukurokuju as the patron of the sciences, and so on.

In ancient times, these gods were worshiped separately, but this rarely happens today – only when it is required for the god to act on behalf of the applicant.

The Seven Gods of Fortune started being mentioned as a collective in the year 1420 in Fushimi, in order to imitate the processions of the daimyōs, the feudal lords of pre-modern Japan.

It is said that the Buddhist priest Tenkai selected these gods after speaking with the shōgun he served, Iemitsu Tokugawa, at the order of seeking whoever possessed the perfect virtues: longevity, fortune, popularity, sincerity, kindness, dignity, and magnanimity.

Shortly after, a famous artist of the time, Kanō Yasunobu, was ordained to portray these gods for the first time.

Description of the Fukujin deities

thumb|230px|Seven Lucky Gods by [[Hokusai et al.]]

Ebisu

From the period of the gods Izanami and Izanagi, Ebisu (恵比寿) is the only one whose origins are purely Japanese. He is the god of prosperity and wealth in business, and of plenitude and abundance in crops, cereals and food in general. He is the patron of fishermen and therefore is represented with fishermen's costumes such as a typical hat, a fishing rod in his right hand and a fish that can be either a carp, a hake, a codfish or a sea bass, or any large fish, in general, that symbolize abundance in meals (such as a feast or banquet). It is now common to see his figure in restaurants where fish is served in great quantities or in household kitchens. The Japanese name Daikoku is a direct translation of the Sanskrit name Mahākāla which means "Great Blackness". Per the Butsuzōzui compendium of 1690 (reprinted and expanded in 1796), Daikoku can also manifest as a female known as Daikokunyo (大黒女, lit. "She of Great Blackness") or Daikokutennyo (大黒天女, lit. "She of Great Blackness of the Heavens").

Bishamonten

Bishamonten's (毘沙門天) origins can be traced back to Hinduism, but he has been adopted into Japanese culture. He comes from the Hindu god Kubera and is also known by the name "Vaisravana".

He is the god of fortune in war and battles, also associated with authority and dignity. He is the protector of those who follow the rules and behave appropriately. As the patron of fighters, he is represented dressed in armour and a helmet, and is often seen carrying a pagoda. He also acts as the protector of holy sites and important places and wields a spear to fight against evil spirits. He is usually depicted in illustrations with a hoop of fire.

Benzaiten

Benzaiten's (弁才天 or 弁財天) origin is found in Hinduism, as she comes from the Hindu goddess Saraswati. She is the only female Fukujin in the modern grouping, and may be named in various ways: Benzaiten (弁才天), Benten (弁天), Bentensama (弁天様), or Benzaitennyo (弁才天女). When she was adapted from Buddhism, she was given the attributes of financial fortune, talent, beauty and music among others. Often, her figure appears with a torii. She is represented as a smart, beautiful woman with all the aforementioned attributes. She carries a biwa, a Japanese traditional lute-like instrument, and is normally accompanied by a white snake. She is the patron of artists, writers, dancers, and geisha, among others. Kichijōten's iconography is distinguished from the other Fukujin goddesses by the Nyoihōju gem (如意宝珠) in her hand. When Kichijōten replaces Fukurokuju, and Daikoku is regarded in feminine form, A picture of the ship forms an essential part of traditional Japanese New Year celebrations.

Location of shrines

Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, Osaka
Nanyo – Kanjizai-ji, Shikoku
Nishinomiya Shrine, Hyogo
Toka Ebisu Shrine, Fukuoka

Gallery

Image:七福神-Shichifukujin.JPG|The Seven Lucky Gods at Watatsumi Shrine in Tarumi-ku, Kobe

Image:Kuniyoshi Utagawa, The seven goods of good fortune.jpg|The Seven Lucky Gods in a woodblock print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Image:Yoshitoshi The Seven Lucky Gods.jpg|The Seven Lucky Gods, in an 1882 woodblock print by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

File:Seven Gods of Good Luck.jpg|Brooklyn Museum - Shibata Zeshin (Japanese, 1807−1891). Seven Gods of Good Luck, c. 1885

File:Takarabune by Hiroshige.png|Coloured woodblock print of the Takarabune by Utagawa Hiroshige

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Notes

External links

Information on Japanese deities