The Shichifukujin: Japan’s Seven Lucky Gods

The Seven Lucky Gods, or Fukujin, are a revered group of deities in Japanese culture, each symbolizing various aspects of fortune and prosperity. Originating from a mix of Buddhist, Shinto, and Taoist beliefs, these gods—Ebisu, Daikoku, Benzaiten, Fukurokuju, Jurojin, Hotei, and Kichijōten—are often depicted together, representing a harmonious blend of blessings, from wealth and longevity to wisdom and happiness. Particularly prominent during New Year’s celebrations, the Seven Lucky Gods are believed to bring good fortune to those who honor them, making them an integral part of Japan’s spiritual and cultural heritage.

The Seven Lucky Gods of Japanese Folklore

Japan’s lucky gods do not all derive from one religion. Instead, these ancient gods of good fortune all come from religions that have been followed in Japan. Most of these gods come from Mahayana Buddhism, which was brought to Japan from China but originated in India, and Chinese Taoism. The only exception to this rule is Ebisu, who it is widely believed is “native” to Japan.

These gods have been worshiped in Japan for over 1000 years, but did not all arrive at the same time. The first two to arrive were Ebisu and Dakikokuten, who were followed by merchants and worshiped as gods of business and trade. As these two became popular, other parts of Japanese society began to look for their own lucky gods. Soon Benzaiten had become the gods of artists, Fukurokuju, the sciences, etc. 

Originally, these gods were all worshiped separately, but that has changed over time. The first mention of the gods existing as a collective was in 1420 in Fushimi. They were shown as a group to imitate the processions of daimyos, early Japan’s feudal lords.

Today, the lucky gods are usually worshiped as a group. The only time they are worshiped separately is if someone is asking for a specific god to aid a single applicant, such as asking Benzaiten to help with an artist’s block. 

The 7 Lucky Gods: Ebisu

Ebisu is the only one of the seven lucky gods to be purely Japanese in origin. He is the god of success and wealth in business, as well as being associated with good fortune. He’s also the patron god of fishermen and is usually depicted as wearing traditional fisherman’s costumes like a hat and fishing rod and carrying a fish. The fish he carries, a tie, is also a symbol of good luck. 

Ebisu is a jolly deity who is usually depicted as portly and supporting a happy grin. Thanks to his close association with food, his figure is often found in restaurants, especially those that serve fish. As the oldest of these gods, Ebisu’s origins were adapted by later tradition so that he tied into Japan’s wider mythology and was made the son of Izanagi and Izananmi, Japanese mythology’s creator gods who also appear in Shinto mythology.

Daikokuten/ Daikoku 

Daikoku is a little more complex than Ebisu. As the god of commerce, he is the patron god of cooks, farmers, bankers, and farmers, as well as the protector of crops. He is usually depicted wielding the hammer of riches, which allows him to grant wishes, and carrying a bag of riches that he carries over his shoulder. Much like Ebisu, he is usually shown to be jolly, with a smile on his face, having short legs, and sitting on bags of rice.

Daikoku, the God of Wealth in Taoism (Rudolf Ammann from Tsu-shi/ CC BY 2.0)

Daikoku is also a bit on the intimidating side. According to some legends, he is both the leader of the Shichifukujin and a demon hunter. One tale tells how he hung a sacred talisman on a tree in his garden to lure in a demon. Once his trap was set, he caught and killed the demon.

While considered Japanese, Daikoku originates from the Hindu, Buddhist, and Shinto religions. He began as a combination of the Hindu/Buddhist death deity, Mahakala (a manifestation of Shiva), and the Shinto deity, Ōkuninushi. His name, Daikoku, is a literal translation of the Sanskrit Mahākāla, Black Greatness.

Bishamonten/ Bishamon

Bishamon is a bit of a contradiction, as he is both the god of happiness and war. Two things we do not usually associate with going together. He’s Japan’s patron god of warriors and is said to protect the righteous. He is a little less jolly-looking and is normally depicted in full Chinese armor and carrying a spear.

Wooden statue of Bishamonten stepping on a demon (1615-1700) on display at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, California.  (I, BrokenSphere/CC BY-SA 3.0)

He is 100% Hindu in origin, is strongly associated with the Hindu god Kubera, and is sometimes referred to as Vaisravana. He is seen as a protector of holy sites, and the temple city of Shiga, founded in the 6th century AD, was dedicated to him to honor Shotoku Taishi’s victory at the site.

Benzaiten/Benten 

Benzaiten is also of Hindu origin and comes from the Hindu goddess Saraswati. She is notable for being the only female god of the group as well as being the goddess of love, fertility, talent, and financial fortune.

She also tends to have one of the coolest depictions. Benzaiten is usually depicted as a beautiful woman playing a biwa (a type of lute) and riding a sea dragon who is also her husband. She comes with a special messenger, a white snake, and is most commonly associated with the sea. She is the patron goddess of everything from artists and writers to geishas and dancers.

Benzaiten (Goddess of Music and Good Fortune) Seated on a White Dragon. (Aoigaoka Keisei, CC0 )

Jurōjin

Jurojin comes from Taoist mythology and is said to be an incarnation of the Southern Pole star. In Japanese Buddhism, he cares for the elderly and represents longevity. As such, he is usually depicted as a tall old man with a very long head and white beard. 

He is based on an ancient Taoist sage who ascended to godhood. He is accompanied by a 1500-year-old crane and a tortoise, both of which are symbols of long lives. He carries with him a book or scroll said to hold all the world’s wisdom. Like the other Shichifukujin, he is usually depicted as being a cheerful god.

Jurojin (the Kami of longevity & wisdom (1 of the shichi fukujin)) with some deer (Public Domain)

Hotei

Hotei, also known as the “Laughing Buddha” in Japan, was another Chinese export. As the god of fortune, he embodies joy, fortune, and generosity. He is also the guardian of children and the patron of diviners and bartenders and is a deity associated with popularity.

Photo of a Budai figurine and cloth flowers (Fran Hogan/CC BY-SA 4.0)

He also tends to receive the least flattering depictions, at least physically. He is instantly recognizable thanks to his grotesquely fat but smiling visage. His standout feature is a large, exposed belly and simple monastic attire that is too small to properly cover him. His physical appearance is reflected in his traditional Chinese nickname, “Cho-Tei-Shi” or “Ho-Tei-Shi,” which translates to “bag of old clothes.”

Hotei’s origins can be found in traditional Zen Buddhism. According to legend, he was once a wandering Zen priest called Kaishi. His unconventional lifestyle, like the fact he had no home, liked to enjoy himself, and his mischievous nature contrasted with Zen’s strict moral codes and made him somewhat of an outcast. Tales tell that he passed away in 916 AD and then ascended to godhood. 

With the bag of fortune that he carries, Hotei symbolizes contentment, magnanimity, and happiness. Brimming with blessings, this bag is a central aspect of his iconography, representing the abundance he brings to those who embrace his virtues.

Hotei first became popular in Japan during the Edo era. He was intricately linked to the Buddha of the future, Miroku (Maitreya) who was believed to help those who were beyond the reach of conventional Buddhist teachings (like Kaishi). With his unthreatening appearance, jovial nature, and the fact he is usually depicted surrounded by children, Hotei has become one of the most endearing and approachable figures in Buddhist tradition.

Fukurokuju 

Fukurokuju, who is also originally from China, is a revered deity associated with wisdom, luck, longevity, wealth, and happiness. His Japanese name takes the characters for happiness (fuku), wealth (roku), and longevity (ju) and combines them, reflecting his broad range of supposed talents. Fukurokuju stands out as once being a Taoist sage during the Song Dynasty who was also a reincarnation of the Taoist god Hsuan-wu. This connection meant he could live without food and was able to resurrect the dead. 

Depictions of him usually feature a notably large head that is almost as big as the rest of his body. He is usually shown wearing traditional Chinese attire and carries a cane in one hand and a scroll in the other. His typical companions include a turtle, crow, or deer, all symbols of longevity in Japanese culture. Additionally, Fukurokuju is known for his affinity for chess, earning him the title of patron for chess players.

The keen-eyed may have noticed some similarities between Fukurokuju and Jurojin from earlier. This is no coincidence. Both trace their origins to the Chinese Taoist deity Nánjílǎorén, and there is some overlap in the two gods’ roles. This has led some traditions, such as the Butsuzōzui compendium of 1783, to replace Fukurokuju and attribute his position to the goddess Kichijōten. Despite these variations, Fukurokuju remains a prominent figure symbolizing the ideals of wisdom, longevity, and prosperity, revered both in China and Japan for his profound attributes and legendary powers.

A stone sculpture of Fukurokuju in Komaki, Aichi Prefecture (KKPCW/CC BY 3.0)

Bonus: Kichijōten

Kichijōten, sometimes referred to as Kisshōten or Kisshoutennyo, is arguably the least well-known of the Fukujin. We can find her origins in Hinduism, where she is a manifestation of the goddess Lakshmi. When adapted into Buddhism, she embodies the traits of beauty, happiness, and fertility. Depicted as a beautiful woman, she is always shown carrying the Nyoihōju gem in her hand, symbolizing her power to grant wishes and bring about prosperity.

Kichijōten, Kisshōten or Kisshoutennyo (Public Domain )

As mentioned above, in the 1783 edition of the Butsuzōzui compendium, Kichijōten is noted for replacing Fukurokuju as one of the Fukujin, the Seven Gods of Fortune. This substitution, along with the consideration of Daikoku in a feminine form, means that the three Hindu Tridevi goddesses—Saraswati, Lakshmi (as Kichijōten), and Parvati—are represented among the seven Fukujin. This inclusion highlights the integration and adaptation of Hindu deities into Japanese Buddhist traditions.

New Year’s Eve and the Takarabune

Believers can call upon the Fukujin at any time, but there is one time of the year when they are said to be at their most powerful. During the first three days following New Year’s Eve, the Fukujin fly through the skies on their treasure ship, a takarabune, and land at ports, bestowing gifts, and blessings on those they meet.

If one is lucky enough to meet the Fukujin at this time of year, they can receive any of the following:

• A key to the gods’ storehouse.
• A hat of invisibility
• A bottomless purse full of coins
• Daikoku’s hammer, which makes it rain gold coins.
• A straw raincoat that protects the wearer from evil spirits, or kami.
• Jewels
• Boxes full of gold coins
• Rolls of brocade cloth.
• Copper coins.

Conclusion

The Seven Lucky Gods embody a rich cultural heritage, representing a unique blend of Taoism, Buddhism, and Hinduism in traditionally isolationist Japanese tradition. Each deity carries distinct attributes, offering blessings that range from wealth to wisdom, reflecting the diverse spiritual influences that have shaped Japan. 

Their significance goes beyond myth, serving as symbols of hope and prosperity, especially during New Year celebrations. This fusion of different religious traditions into the Seven Lucky Gods highlights Japan’s ability to integrate various beliefs into a cohesive and meaningful cultural practice, continuing to inspire and guide people through their spiritual journey.

Top image: Seven Lucky Gods of Japanese mythology.            Source: Public Domain

By Robbie Mitchell