Seven Lucky Gods

They all began as remote and impersonal gods, but gradually became much closer canonical figures for certain professions and Japanese arts.

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.

[1] 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) which came to Japan from China but originated in India, and from Chinese Taoism (Fukurokuju, Hotei, Jurojin); except for one (Ebisu) who has a native Japanese ancestry.

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.

He is the god of prosperity and wealth in business, and of plenitude and abundance in crops, cereals and food in general.

[1] Daikokuten (大黒天) is the god of commerce and prosperity, and he is sometimes considered the patron of cooks, farmers and bankers, and a protector of crops.

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.

He also acts as the protector of holy sites and important places and wields a spear to fight against the evil spirits.

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).

[1] Considered the incarnation of the southern pole star (南極星 "nankyokusei"), Juroujin (寿老人) is the god of the elderly and of longevity in Japanese Buddhist mythology.

The reason why the Japanese have such great respect for this god comes from a legend that says that, before Zen Buddhism arrived in Japan, an alternative Buddhist thought was extended by a priest of dubious aesthetic, who actually was a manifestation of Miroku.

It is believed that he used to be a hermit during the Chinese Song dynasty, distinguished for being a reincarnation of the Taoist god Hsuan-wu.

He is usually accompanied by a turtle, a crow or a deer, animals that are frequently used in Japan to symbolize a long life.

When Kichijōten replaces Fukurokuju, and Daikoku is regarded in feminine form,[4] all three of the Hindu Tridevi goddesses are then represented among the seven Fukujin.