Gods, Goddesses, and Myths

The Seven Gods of Fortune

The Seven Gods of Fortune (七福神 Shichi Fukujin), commonly referred to in English as the Seven Lucky Gods, refer to the seven gods of good fortune in Japanese mythology and folklore. They are often the subject of netsuke carvings and other representations.

Each has a traditional attribute:

Hotei, the fat and happy god of abundance and good health
Jurōjin, god of longevity
Fukurokuju, god of happiness, wealth and longevity
Bishamonten, god of warriors
Benzaiten (Benten-sama), goddess of knowledge, art and beauty, especially music
Daikokuten (Daikoku), god of wealth, commerce and trade. Ebisu and Daikoku are often paired and represented as carvings or masks on the walls of small retail shops
Ebisu, god of fishers or merchants, often depicted carrying a sea bream

More Gods and Goddesses

Japanese mythology and culture has many more gods than just the lucky seven. Here are other gods and goddesses of Japanese mythology. Notice the specific nature of each god/goddess. Study these for reference.

Japanese Gods and Goddesses

Questions to Ponder:

Why would a culture want gods/goddess for such specific areas?
How is our culture similar or different?

Reading Assignment: The Kojiki

The Kojiki is one of the oldest manuscripts of Japanese culture and serves as a record of the origin of Japan's four home islands. The text also includes stories about the creation of the world, birth of gods and goddesses, and the descent of gods and goddesses. The Shinto practices are heavily influenced by the myths in this text. The myths in this sacred text are a source for customs and ceremonies of the Japanese people. The time span of the book extends from creation to the time of Empress Suiko in 628.

Like other mythologies, there are many accounts of the origins of things. The Shintoshu explains the Buddhist account of the origins of the deities. The Hotsuma Tsutae explains a totally different account. Read the following text from the Kojiki. Be sure to take notes, as it is a long read.

Click here to read The Kojiki

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