Learn Japanese FAQ

What are the Seven Japanese Gods?

Author: Richard

Q: What are the Seven Japanese Gods?

A: I guess you mean the 七福神 Shichi Fukujin - the seven lucky gods whose pictures you see everywhere over new year?

Well according to Wikipedia, here they are:

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

Of course the only one I ever remember is Ebisu!

P.S. Just out of interest, 七 (shichi) is seven of course, and for those of you who live in 福岡(fukuoka) the 福 is the same “lucky” as 七福神. And the 神 is the same 神 as Tenjin – 天神 – the biggest shopping area in Fukuoka! Please ignore this last big if you live anywhere else!

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