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Japan's Shichifukujin--usually identified as Ebisu, Daikokuten, Bishamonten, Benzaiten, Fukurokuju, Jurojin, and Hotei--are traditionally believed to bring good fortune and happiness to people. The seven have long been depicted in painting, sculpture, song, and dance and began to be worshiped as a group several hundred years ago. The practice of making a meguri, or pilgrimage, to shrines and temples of all the Shichifukujin during the New Year season became popular during the Edo period (1603-1868). Shichifukujin Meguri are still popular everywhere in Japan--including the Fukagawa and Kameido districts of Tokyo's Koto-ku.
You can make your own Fukagawa Shichifukujin Meguri or Kameido Shichifukujin Meguri here with our best wishes for a happy year of the saru (monkey)--that's 2004.
Ebisu is the deity
of prosperity in one's occupation. In agricultural villages he is
considered a deity of the rice paddies, and in fishing villages he is
believed to ensure a good catch. He is also venerated as a deity of the
kitchen. Ebisu is usually depicted carrying a sea bream (a symbol of
good luck) under his left arm and a fishing rod in his right hand. In
Fukagawa Ebisu is enshrined at Tomioka Hachimangu; in Kameido he is enshrined at Katori Jinja.
Originally
worshiped in India as a deity who fought the forces of evil, Daikokuten
was introduced into Japan via China around the ninth century. Here he
eventually merged with Okuninushi no Mikoto (a Shinto deity of bountiful
harvests and good fortune), becoming a deity of prosperity. He is also
venerated as a deity of the kitchen. Daikokuten is usually depicted
standing or seated on bales of rice, with a wish-granting mallet in his
right hand and a bag of riches slung over his left shoulder. In Fukagawa
Daikokuten is enshrined at Enju-in;
in Kameido he is enshrined at Katori
Jinja.
Bishamonten is
a deity of prosperity. He is identified with a Buddhist deity who is a
protector of the righteous and is usually depicted wearing a full suit of
armor and carrying a miniature spear and pagoda (a symbol of Buddhism). In
Fukagawa Bishamonten is enshrined at Ryuko-in; in Kameido he is enshrined at
Fumon-in.
The only
female deity among the Shichifukujin, Benzaiten (or Benten) is the deity
of literature, the arts and sciences, happiness, prosperity, virtue, and
longevity. She is usually depicted playing a biwa, the ancient Japanese
lute. In Fukagawa Benzaiten is enshrined at Fuyuki Bentendo; in Kameido she is enshrined at Tokaku-ji.
Fukurokuju
is a deity of happiness, prosperity, longevity, and wisdom. He is
usually depicted with an extremely high-domed bald head and a long white
beard (symbolizing great wisdom and age) and sometimes, as in the figure
here, carrying a staff and a scroll containing the world's wisdom. In
Fukagawa Fukurokuju is enshrined at Shingyo-ji; in Kameido he is enshrined at Tenso Jinja.
Jurojin is a
deity of happiness, prosperity, and longevity. He is usually depicted with a
long white beard and wearing a scholar's cap and is often accompanied by a
stag, which is his messenger. Sometimes he also carries a staff and a scroll
containing the secret of longevity. In Fukagawa Jurojin is enshrined at Juro Jinja; in Kameido he is enshrined at Joko-ji.
Hotei is a deity of
prosperity and happiness. Tradition identifies him with the eccentric
Chinese Zen priest Pu-tai. Hotei is usually depicted laughing and with a
huge belly (symbolizing his benevolent nature) and carrying--or, as in
the figure here, sitting beside--a huge bag filled with riches. In
Fukagawa Hotei is enshrined at Fukagawa Inari Jinja; in Kameido he is enshrined at Ryugan-ji.
The Shichifukujin shown on this page are Hakata ningyo, unglazed painted earthenware figures made in Hakata, an old port city on northern Kyushu that is now a part of the city of Fukuoka. They were purchased in Nagoya in 1956.
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Last updated January 15, 2004.