Japan Shichifukujin : Japan  

Japan Shichifukujin - Travel guide

Japan

Shichifukujin

The Shichifukujin, or the Seven Deities of Good Fortune, include six gods and a goddess, and they come from various sources such as Shintoism, Buddhism, Taoism, Brahmanism, etc.

Ebisu
Ebisu, the god of fishermen, holds a big red tai, or sea bream, under his left arm and a fishing rod in his right hand.

Fukurokuju and Jorojin
Fukurokuju and Jorojin (the aged gods of wealth and longevity) inhabit the same body, that of a long-headed old man, He holds a cane with a makimono (scroll) tied around it and an ogi (folding fan).

Bishamonten
Bishamonten, the god of warriors, wears armor and carries a small pagoda.

Daikoku
Daikoku, the god of wealth, wears a hood and holds a big bag filled with treasures on his left shoulder and an uchide-no-kozuchi (a lucky mallet) in his right hand.

Kisshoten
A second goddess called Kisshoten is sometimes included among the Shichifukujin.

Hotei
Hotei, the god of contentment and happiness, holds a big bag and an ogi (a fan). He is said to be the only human being among the Shichifukujin.

Benzaiten
Benzaiten, the goddess of eloguence, music and wisdom, plays the biwa (Japanese mandolin).

The Shichifukujin are said to enter port on a takarabune (a ship laden with treasure) on New Year's Eve to bring happiness to everybody. Pictures and takarabune decorations are one of the ornaments used at New Year for good luck.