1/15/2005

Seven Gods of Good Luck

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Seven Gods of Good Luck 七福神 Shichifukujin 

ebisutakarabune

Yamashina-E Picture
Daruma and YAMASHINA Paintings - Yamashina-E


Benten 弁天
Bishamonten 毘沙門天
Daikoku 大黒
Ebisu 恵比寿
Fukurokujuu 福禄寿
Hotei 布袋
Juroojin 寿老人


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Quote from Mark Schumacher:
The Shichifukujin are an eclectic group of deities from Japan, India, and China. Only one is native to Japan (Ebisu). Three are from India (Daikokuten, Bishamonten, and Benzaiten) and three from China (Hotei, Jurojin, and Fukurokuju).

The mystery of number seven has enraptured the Japanese as well. Ancient Japan was founded around seven districts. In Japanese folklore, there are seven treasures and seven deities of good luck (the topic of this story). Japanese Buddhists believe people are reincarnated only seven times, and seven weeks of mourning are prescribed following death.

The list goes on and on -- the seven ups and eight downs of life (Daruma san, you remember), the seven autumn flowers, the seven spring herbs, the seven types of red pepper, the seven transformations, and the popular 7-5-3 festival held each November for children, in which special Shinto rites are performed to formally welcome girls (age 3) and boys (age 5) into the community. Girls (age 7) are welcomed into womanhood and allowed to wear the obi (decorative sash worn with kimono).

Mark Schumacher has many more details and pictures
. . . Mark Schumacher

Link about these seven deities.
http://www.bookmice.net/darkchilde/japan/jgods.html

The Seven Gods of Good Fortune Playing with Chinese Children
Utagawa Hiroshige III (1842–1894)

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The belief in the seven gods of good luck may have started in the Kamakura period as the belief in Ebisu, who had been introduced from India together with Daikoku and Benten. In the Muromachi period, these three were revered together.
Next from India came Bishamonten and then from China Hotei, Fukurooju and Juroojin.

These seven gods are gathered in one common pilgrimmage for the New Year.
At the beginning of the Edo period Tokugawa Ieyasu started the first set of seven temples from Temple Kanei-Ji in the Ueno area. During the more peaceful time of the seventh Shogun Yoshimune it turned into more of a festivity and tourism and spread over all of Japan.

Nowadays, people visit these temples often as a kind of hiking entertainment or stamp ralley, but it never lost in its popularity.

visiting the temples of the seven gods of good luck
shichifukujin mairi 七福神参り
kigo for the New Year

Saijiki of Ceremonies in Japan


From the Daruma Museum
Seven Gods of Good Luck as Daruma Dolls 七福神だるま

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Give us our daily food:
. Figure waffles (ningyooyaki 人形焼) .


Arare rice crackers 七福神あられ
source : o.tabelog.com

Shichifukujin Ramen soup 七福神 ラーメン
. . . CLICK here for Photos !

Shichifukujin Manju rice dumplings 七福神 饅頭
. . . CLICK here for Photos !

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.. .. .. Daikoku

. Daikoku Ten 大黒天 .

DAIKOKU Daruma Doll 大黒達磨


Hisamaro, Seven Goods of Good Luck
七福神グッズいろいろ(郷土玩具編)

Click HERE for photos !

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... EBISU Ebisu えびす 恵比寿  ...

Ebisu from Tamada Mura Village.
http://www.tcbnavi.com/7fukujin/yashiro/takara.html

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Look at this marvellous Clay Doll of an Ebisu
http://darumadollmuseum.blogspot.com/2005/05/ebisu-with-daruma-clay-doll.html

And here is a papermachee doll of an Ebisu-Daruma
http://darumadollmuseum.blogspot.com/2005/01/nakamura-collection.html

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Ebisu is native to Japan, his name in the Shinto Pantheon is Kotoshiro-nushi-no-kami.
Many shrines throughout Japan have a festival of the First Ebisu Market (hatsu Ebisu 初恵比寿)during the New Year celebrations.

Click HERE for more photos !

On this link, you can see more pictures about the First Ebisu Market.
http://www.zephyr.dti.ne.jp/~fuyumaru/PAGES/HATUEBISUTAISAI.htm

Great Festival at Tooka Ebisu Shrine
十日恵比寿神社 正月大祭
Daruma Dolls are sold, of course. And look at some pretty Geisha on this link.


http://www.geocities.jp/hokutoflag3/ebisu8.jpg
http://www.geocities.jp/hokutoflag3/tokaebisu.htm

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This Ebisu gets a new nose for the New Year.

はなかけ恵比寿, 鼻かけえびす hanakake Ebisu

Click HERE for more photos !

(鼻欠け恵比寿初笑い)Hanakake Ebisu Hatsu Warai

Ebisu is always ready to laugh.
The first laugh, first laughter, hatsu-warai 初笑い, is of course the best (and a kigo for the New Year).

The date is January 20. First he gets his nose re-done, and when this is done, all start laughing!



Click HERE for more photos !

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............................................................. Two haiku by ISSA

片乳を握りながらやはつ笑ひ
kata chichi o nigiri nagara ya hatsu warai

while grasping
mama's breast...
the year's first smile


乞食やもらひながらのはつ笑ひ
koijiki ya morai nagara no hatsu warai

a beggar receives
alms, the year's first
laughter

Tr. David Lanoue

ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo


© Photo : www.wbs.co.jp/blog4/archives/cat51/index.html


ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo

still half asleep
on the same pillow -
our fist smile


Gabi Greve, January 1, 2007
LOOK here !


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First Ebisu, Hatsu-Ebisu is also the name of a brand of Sake. It looks quite festive in its red and white decorations.
http://www.kura-yamada.com/product/hatueb.html

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. Hotei 布袋 Pu-Tai .

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. BENTEN 弁天(べんてん)
BENZAITEN 弁財天
 

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. Bishamon-Ten . 毘沙門天 .

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. Takarabune with the seven gods of good luck .
宝船と七福神 Treasure Ship

. My Folk Toys and the Seven Gods of Good Luck

Clay bells and other items of the Seven Gods 七福神
source : hisamaro
MORE shichifukujin goods
source : by hisamaro

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Die sieben Glücksgötter (Shichi Fukushin)
Besondere Gruppierung "ausländischer" Gottheiten.


Daikokuten, Bishamonten und Benten sind indische Gottheiten, Ebisu ist eine rein japanische Gottheit. Hotei und Fukurokujuu sind chinesischen Ursprungs.

Seit der Muromachi-Zeit besonders von Geschäftsleuten verehrt. Sechs männliche und eine weibliche (Benten) Gottheit. Entweder alle in einem Tempel aufgestellt oder für jede Gottheit ein eigener Tempel, die in den Neujahrstagen alle abgepilgert werden müssen. In einigen Tempeln befinden sich sieben besonders große, auffallend geformte Natursteine, welche die Gottheiten darstel~len.

Oft zusammen auf einem Glücksschiff (takarabune) dargestellt, auf dessen Segel das Schriftzeichen für "Schätze" (takara) steht. Dieses Bild ist besonders am Neujahrsfest glückbringend.

Eventuell aus dem alten Brauch des "Siebenmal Anbeten" (nanado mairi) entstanden, bei dem zum Gionfest in Kyooto an einem Tempel sieben Mal hintereinander ein Gebet gesprochen werden mußte, damit es wirksam wurde. Die Zahl "SIEBEN" ist seit alter Zeit mit Glück verbunden. Es gab auch den Brauch, sieben Statuen des Hotei nebeneinander aufzustellen.
In der Edo-Zeit am 2. Januar legte man sich ein Bild der Glücksgötter unter das Kopfkissen, um einen guten ersten Traum im neuen Jahr zu haben.

Die meisten Gottheiten wurden bei den Ten bereits besprochen, siehe dort.

Benten.....
Bishamonten.....
Daikokuten.....


Ebisu.....
Rein japanische Gottheit. E bedeutet Liebe, BI bedeutet Schönheit und SU bedeutet alltägliche Notwendigkeiten. Ältester Sohn (Hiruko) der japanischen Gottheiten Izanagi und Izanami no Mikoto. Als Kind auf einem Schilfboot ausgesetzt, kommt in der Gegend von Osaka an Land; daher auch Gottheit der Fischer.
Im buddhistischen Pantheon als Inkarnation der Kannon, vom Welt~berg des Südens, Fudaraku, kommend.
Zusammen mit Daikokuten als Doppelfigur.
Ikonografie:
Mit Entenmuschel-Mütze; in Jagdgewändern.
Meist rundes, lächelndes Gesicht.
Mit großem Fisch und langer Angelrute.

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Fukurokujuu
Fukuroojin.
Sehr ähnlich wie Juroojin. Verkörperung des südlichen Polarsterns. Taoistische Gottheit aus China. Gewährt Reichtum, langes Leben und gute Karriere.
Kam in der Edo-Zeit anstelle von Kichijooten zu den sieben Glücksgöttern.
Ikonografie:
Alter Mann mit hohem kahlem Kopf, Stab in der Hand. In chinesi~sche Gewänder gekleidet. Manchmal mit einer Bildrolle oder einem chinesischen Fächer. Gefolgt von einem tausendjährigen Kranich.


source : woodblockprints.org
Shaving the Head with a Ladder - Fukurokuju and Daikoku
by Toyokuni 豊国画



Tenaga and Ashinaga shaving Fukurokuju

. Kawanabe Kyosai .

. Tenaga Ashinaga 手長足長 "long arms, long legs" .

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Hotei
Chinesischer Zenpriester Kaishi (Kihi) des Tempels Shimeizan; lebte in der T'ang-Zeit. Wanderte bettelnd durchs Land, spielte mit den Kindern, trug seine Habe in einem großen Sack mit sich herum. Inkarnation des Miroku Bosatsu. Er lehrte, daß ein Geist frei von Sorgen und ein Herz frei von Wünschen wertvoller sei als alle weltlichen Schätze dieser Erde.
Ikonografie:
Alter, lachender, kahlköpfiger Priester-Schelm. Offene Kleidung, mit herausragendem dickem Bauch. Mit großem Sack, auf dem er oft ausruht; in der Hand einen chinesischen Fächer.

Juroojin
Sehr ähnlich wie Fukurokujuu. Entstanden aus einer chinesischen Gottheit des Taoismus. Verkörperung des südlichen Polarsterns (im Chinesischen: Stern des alten Mannes). Verkörpert langes Leben ohne Krankheit und Tod. Neben ihm steht oft ein Hirsch.
Ikonografie:
Mit hohem, kahlem Kopf, langem Bart. Mit langem Stab und einem chinesischen Fächer oder einer Schriftrolle in der Hand. Begleitet von einem 2500 Jahre alten Hirsch. Das Geweih junger Hirsche galt als Medizin für langes Leben.


.Buddhastatuen ... Who is Who   

Ein Wegweiser zur Ikonografie
von japanischen Buddhastatuen

Gabi Greve, 1994

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A takarabune (Seven Lucky Gods Treasure Boat)
at Anyoji Temple in Kawasaki

quote
Turning to Okinawa and its rituals in search of a happier new year
Okinawan religion, while adopting some aspects of Japanese Shinto, Chinese Confucianism and Buddhism, remains essentially animistic, and spiritual power resides mainly in ancestors and in Nature — especially in trees, but most especially in stone.
source : Japan Times, January 2012

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shichi fu ku 七 二 九 7 2 9
a pun with the 29th day of the seventh month
July 29 is considered a special day for the Gods of Good Luck.

So a special dish is prepared on this day to thank them.

fukujinzuku 福神漬け
Pickles for the Gods of Good Luck


..... one of the most popular kinds of pickles in Japanese cuisine, commonly used as a relish for Japanese curry. In fukujinzuke, vegetables including daikon, eggplant, lotus root and cucumber are finely chopped, then pickled in a base that is flavored with soy sauce. The end result has a crunchy texture.

The name originates from the tale of Seven Lucky Gods. In homage to the name, some varieties of fukujinzuke consists of seven different kind of vegetables, adding sword beans (鉈豆, natamame), perilla, shiitake mushrooms and/or sesame seeds to the four main ingredients.
© More in the WIKIPEDIA !



. Tsukemono 漬物 漬け物 Japanese Pickles .

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. Shichi Fuku Kappa Jin 七福河童神 Seven Kappa Gods of Good Luck .

. Folk Toys and the Seven Gods of Good Luck

. First Dream (hatsuyume 初夢) .

. Shichikoozan mairi 七高山詣 Shichikozan pilgrimage.
New Year in Nagasaki


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#shishifukujin #sevengods #goodluck

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15 comments:

Gabi Greve said...

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Ebisu and Daruma

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Gabi Greve - Darumapedia said...

Tsugaru Shichifukujin 津軽七福神 Seven Gods of Good Luck in Tsugaru
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Pilgrimage with wonderful images
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Gabi Greve - Darumapedia said...

福禄寿 Fukurokuju
choroken ちょろけん / ちよろけん Choroken
Choro ちょろ / ちよろ

A street performance 長老舞 in Kyoto and Osaka, where persons clad in special robes walked around the streets, singing and dancing at the gate (門付け芸) to wish luck for the New Year.
They wore special papermachee masks on their head, like 福禄寿 Fukurokuju, one of the seven gods of good luck. Accompanied by Shamisen and drums they were a lively scene.
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MORE
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Gabi Greve said...

Gofunai temple
24 - Saishooji 最勝寺 Saisho-Ji

- 高天山 Kotenzan 大徳院 Daitoku-In  最勝寺 Saisho-Ji
新宿区上落合3-4-12 / 3 Chome-4-12 Kamiochiai, Shinjuku
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https://gokurakuparadies.blogspot.jp/2017/01/gofunai-temples-24-and-25.html
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Gabi Greve - Darumapedia said...

Pilgrims in Edo
東京都の七福神 Shichi Fukujin seven Gods of God Luck
隅田川七福神 Sumidagawa
亀戸七福神 Kameido
柴又七福神 Shibamata
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https://gokurakuparadies.blogspot.jp/2017/02/edo-tokyo-pilgrimages.html
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Gabi Greve - Darumapedia said...

東京下町八社巡り Pilgrimage to 8 Shinto Shrines in Shitamachi
Shitamachi Hachi Fukujin 下町八福神 Eight Shinto Deities of Good Luck in Shitamachi Shrines

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https://omamorifromjapan.blogspot.jp/2017/02/tokyo-shitamachi-pilgrimage.html
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Gabi Greve - Darumapedia said...

Daikoku and Ebisu 大黒と恵比寿 art motives
with many photos to enjoy !!
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https://omamorifromjapan.blogspot.jp/2017/03/daikoku-ebisu.html
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Gabi Greve said...

妖怪と絵馬と七福神 - Yokai and Ema and the Seven Gods of Good Luck

岩井宏実 Iwai Hiromi

- 「妖怪の軌跡」「絵馬の系譜」「七福神の来歴」-

第1章 異界からの使者―妖怪(妖怪の軌跡;妖怪の王者―鬼・天狗・河童 ほか)

第2章 祈りの記念物―絵馬(絵馬の系譜;本音の世界―小絵馬 ほか)

第3章 福を授ける群神―七福神(七福神の来歴;七福神めぐり)
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and more about the shichifukujin
http://7fukujin.macanow.com/book/page25.html
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Gabi Greve - Darumapedia said...

daifukuchoo 大福帳 account book carried by Fukurokuju
Sagara tsuchi ningyoo 相良土人形 clay doll from Sagara, Yamagata
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https://darumamuseum.blogspot.jp/2007/12/sake-flask-tokkuri.html
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Gabi Greve - Darumapedia said...

Shirahige Daimyojin 白鬚大明神 // Shirahige Myojin 白鬚明神 "White Beard"
Shirahige is another name for the deity
. Sarutahiko no Ookami 猿田彦大神 the Great Deity Sarutahiko .
The Shirahige Shrine is often included in a pilgrimage to the Seven Gods of Good Luck.
It holds the deity 寿老神 Jurojin.
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https://edoflourishing.blogspot.com/2018/11/shirahige-district-sumida.html
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Gabi Greve said...

Manekineko beckoning cat
with Shichifukujin on the stomach

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https://omamorifromjapan.blogspot.com/2017/03/daikoku-ebisu.html
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Gabi Greve said...

Seven Gods of Good Fortune (Shichifukujin) and Otafuku at New Year's
A triptych by Kitagawa Utamaro (1753 - 1806)
Harvard Art Museum
http://www.harvardartmuseums.org/art/29962
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Gabi Greve said...

on the following pilgrimage :
東海道七福神 Seven Gods of Good Luck on the Tokaido - 寿老人 Jurojin
Isshinji 一心寺 Isshin-Ji - Kita-Shinagawa
豊盛山 Hoseizan 延命院 Enmei-In / Shinagawa Naritasan
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https://gokurakuparadies.blogspot.com/2020/09/isshinji-kannon-shinagawa.html
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Gabi Greve said...

Shunan Shichifukujin 周南七福神 Seven Gods of Good Luck in Shunan Yamaguchi
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https://gokurakuparadies.blogspot.com/2022/01/shunan-seven-gods.html
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J. S. Vila said...

Every country have his own traditions.