4/7/2022

Lucky Little Gods

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Netsuke depicting the Seven Gods of Fortune, on display at Bern Historical Museum

In Japanese mythology, the Seven Lucky Gods or Seven Gods of Fortune (七福神, shichifukujin in Japanese) are believed to grant good luck and are often represented in netsuke and in artworks. One of the seven (Jurōjin) is said to be based on an historical figure.

They all began as remote and impersonal gods, but gradually became much closer canonical figures for certain professions and Japanese arts. During the course of their history, the mutual influence between gods has created confusion about which of them was the patron of certain professions. 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]

Brooklyn Museum - Shibata Zeshin (Japanese, 1807−1891). Seven Gods of Good Luck, c. 1885

Origin and history[edit]

From left to right: Hotei, Jurōjin, Fukurokuju, Bishamonten, Benzaiten, Daikokuten, Ebisu

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.

These gods have been recognized as such for over a thousand years. In the beginning, these gods were worshiped by merchants as the first two (Ebisu and Daikokuten) were gods of business and trade.

Subsequently, the other classes of Japanese society looked for other gods that could correspond with their professions: Benzaiten as the patron of the arts, Fukurokuju as the patron of the sciences, and so on.

In ancient times, these gods were worshipped separately, but this rarely happens today – only when it is required for the god to act on behalf of the applicant.

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.

Shortly after a famous artist of the time, Kano Yasunobu, was ordained to portray these gods for the first time ever.[1][2]

Description of the Fukujin deities[edit]

Ebisu[edit]

From the period of the gods Izanami and Izanagi, Ebisu (恵比寿) is the only one whose origins are purely Japanese. He is the god of prosperity and wealth in business, and of plenitude and abundance in crops, cereals and food in general. He is the patron of fishermen and therefore is represented with fishermen's costumes such as a typical hat, a fishing rod in his right hand and a fish that can be either a carp, a hake, a codfish or a sea bass, or any large fish, in general, that symbolize abundance in meals (such as a feast or banquet). It is now common to see his figure in restaurants where fish is served in great quantities or in household kitchens.[1]

Daikokuten[edit]

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. He is also considered a demon hunter − legend says that the god Daikokuten hung a sacred talisman on the branch of a tree in his garden and, by using this as a trap, he was able to catch a demon. This god is characterized by his smile, by his short legs and by the hat on his head. He is usually depicted with a bag full of valuable objects.[1][2] Daikokuten's popular imagery originated as a syncretic conflation of the Buddhistdeath deityMahākāla with the Shinto deityŌkuninushi.[3] The Japanese name Daikoku is a direct translation of the Sanskrit name Mahākāla which means 'Great Blackness'. 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. 'She of Great Blackness') or Daikokutennyo (大黒天女, lit. 'She of Great Blackness of the Heavens').[4]

Bishamonten[edit]

Bishamonten's (毘沙門天) origins can be traced back to Hinduism, but he has been adopted into Japanese culture. He comes from the Hindu god Kubera and is also known by the name 'Vaisravana'.

He is the god of fortune in war and battles, also associated with authority and dignity. He is the protector of those who follow the rules and behave appropriately. As the patron of fighters, he is represented dressed in armour and a helmet, carrying a pagoda in his left hand. He also acts as the protector of holy sites and important places and holds a spear in his right hand to fight against the evil spirits. He is usually depicted in illustrations with a hoop of fire.

Benzaiten[edit]

Benzaiten's (弁才天 or 弁財天) origin is found in Hinduism, as she comes from the Hindu goddess Saraswati. 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). When she was adapted from Buddhism, she was given the attributes of financial fortune, talent, beauty and music among others. Often, her figure appears with a Torii. She is represented as a smart, beautiful woman with all the aforementioned attributes. She carries a biwa, a Japanese traditional lute-like instrument and is normally accompanied by a white snake. She is the patron of artists, writers, dancers, and geisha, among others.[1]

Jurōjin[edit]

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. It is said that the legendary Juroujin is based on a real person who lived in ancient times. He was approximately 1.82 meters tall with a very long head. Besides his distinctive skull, he is represented with a long white beard, riding a deer, and is often also accompanied by a 1500-year-old crane and a tortoise, as symbols of his affinity with long lives. In addition, he is usually represented under a peach tree, as the fruit of this tree is considered, by Chinese Taoism, as able to prolong life. In his hand he holds a cane and a book or a scroll. The wisdom of the world remains written in its pages. Jurojin enjoys rice and wine and is a very cheerful figure.[1]

Hotei[edit]

Hotei (布袋) is the god of fortune, guardian of children, patron of diviners and barmen, and also the god of popularity. He is depicted as a fat, smiling, bald man with a curly moustache. He always appears half-naked, as his clothes are not wide enough to cover his enormous belly. He blessed the Chinese, and they nicknamed him 'Cho-Tei-Shi' or 'Ho-Tei-Shi', which means ‘bag of old clothes’.

Hotei was a Zen priest, but his appearance and some of his actions were against their moral code: his appearance made him look like quite a mischievous person and he had no fixed place to sleep.

He carries a bag on his shoulders which is loaded with fortunes for those who believe in his virtues. Hotei's traits and virtue are contentment, magnanimous and happiness.

Hotei's original Chinese name was Kaishi, and according to legend, he died in March 916.

The Japanese began to believe in Hotei during the Edo era. The reason why the Japanese have such great respect for this god comes from a legend that says that, before the Zen Buddhism arrived to Japan, an alternative Buddhist thought was extended by a priest of dubious aesthetic, who actually was a manifestation of Miroku. Miroku was the patron of those who could not be saved by the beliefs of Buddha, and Hotei was later perceived and accepted by the Japanese as a second Miroku.[1]

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Fukurokuju (sometimes omitted)[edit]

The god Fukurokuju (福禄寿) also has his origins in China. 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 the god of wisdom, luck, longevity, wealth and happiness. This god receives certain credits, such as being one of the Chinese philosophers who could live without eating (breatharian). Moreover, he is the only god who was said to have the ability to resurrect the dead. Fukurokuju is characterized by the size of his head, being almost as large as the size of his whole body, and is represented wearing traditional Chinese costumes. He normally carries a cane in one hand and in the other a scroll with writings about the world. He is usually accompanied by a turtle, a crow or a deer, animals that are frequently used in Japan to symbolize a long life. It is also said that he likes to play chess, and hence is the patron of chess players.[1] The characteristics of Fukurokuju and Jurōjin overlap as they both trace back to the Chinese Taoist deity Nánjílǎorén (南极老人), which is why Fukurokuju's position is sometimes granted instead to the goddess Kichijōten, as in the Butsuzōzui compendium of 1783.[5]

Kichijōten (sometimes omitted)[edit]

Kichijōten (吉祥天), a Fukujin goddess is also known as Kisshōten or Kisshoutennyo (吉祥天女), and is adapted via Buddhism from the Hindu goddess Lakshmi. Kisshōten has the traits of beauty, happiness, and fertility. In the 1783 edition of the Butsuzōzui compendium, Kichijōten replaces Fukurokuju as one of the seven Fukujin.[5] Kichijōten's iconography is distinguished from the other Fukujin goddesses by the Nyoihōju gem (如意宝珠) in her hand. 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.

Takarabune[edit]

Coloured woodblock print of the Takarabune by Utagawa Hiroshige

During the first three days of the New Year the Seven Lucky Gods are said to pilot through the heavens to human ports the Takarabune or Treasure Ship.[6] A picture of the ship forms an essential part of traditional Japanese New Year celebrations.[7]

Location of shrines[edit]

  • Toka Ebisu Shrine, Fukuoka
  • Nanyo – Kanjizaiji, Shikoku
  • Nishinomiya Shrine, Hyogo
  • Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, Osaka

Gallery[edit]

  • The Seven Lucky Gods at Watatsumi Shrine in Tarumi-ku, Kobe

  • The Seven Lucky Gods in a woodblock print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi

  • The Seven Lucky Gods, in an 1882 woodblock print by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

See also[edit]

  • Three Star Gods, a similar group of auspicious deities from Chinese folk religion
  • Eight Immortals, a similar group of Taoist immortals

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ abcdefghChiba, Reiko (1995). The seven lucky gods of Japan.
  2. ^ abRoberts, Jeremy (2009). Japanese Mythology A to Z.
  3. ^Roberts, Jeremy (2009). Japanese Mythology A to Z. Infobase Publishing. p. 28. ISBN9781438128023.
  4. ^ ab'Butsuzōzui (Illustrated Compendium of Buddhist Images)'(digital photos) (in Japanese). Ehime University Library. 1796. p. (059.jpg).
  5. ^ ab'Butsuzōzui (Illustrated Compendium of Buddhist Images)'(digital photos) (in Japanese). Ehime University Library. 1796. p. (077.jpg).
  6. ^Reiko, Chiba (1966). The Seven Lucky Gods of Japan. Charles E. Tuttle Co. pp. 9–10. OCLC40117755.
  7. ^'The Treasure Ship'. Victoria and Albert Museum. Archived from the original on 4 January 2018. Retrieved 2018-07-22.

External links[edit]

  • Media related to Seven Lucky Gods at Wikimedia Commons
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Seven_Lucky_Gods&oldid=1009244820'

Overview of Lucky Little Gods Slot

Microgaming has finally chosen to take on the theme of anime characters and it does it so well in this online slot game. Lucky Little Gods not only features cartoon-like images, but also invites you to celebrate the Chinese New Year at the same time. It does this by offering up various gods of fortune for you to worship. Maybe by doing so, you’ll become the lucky recipient of a great reward. Of course, we’d expect nothing less from a Microgaming slot that incorporates 243 different ways for you to win. The slot itself is all very nicely designed, utilising some of the developer’s best graphics. Not only that, but it has a very appropriate soundtrack playing while you spin the reels too. Therefore, you can always guarantee an entertaining time while accessing it. As well as the overall game play of this one, you’ll also get the chance to trigger some appealing special features.

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Graphics, Sound effects and Looks

The overall design of this online slot game provides you with a layout of five reels and three rows in total. Therefore, it works as a standard interface for regular slot gamers to enjoy. Alongside this setup, it contains the aforementioned 243 ways for you to win. These ways to win are not something that you can change, so you’ll always have this amount in play. Further to the general layout, the game also provides you with some perfect images. In the background, there are a lot of clouds to be seen, but also the top of a cityscape. As we said, Microgaming has chosen to utilise some of its best graphics in Lucky Little Gods.

Game play and Configurations

In order to play the game, you’ll need to be aware of some of its buttons and perks. You’ll first of all need to choose the type of wager that you want to play per spin. On the right-hand side of the screen, you’ll see the button with the coins on it. Clicking on this will open the wager section of the game. There, you can choose from bet amounts between $0.30 and $300. This means that the latter of these is the slot’s highest overall wager possibility. Not only that, but there’s an autoplay button for you to use as well. This allows you to set the reels off spinning several consecutive times at the same wager level.

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Symbols and their significance

The images within the game and upon its reels are all very cartoon, anime-like. There are various different icons within the slot too.

  • The game’s lower-paying symbols are those of the Chinese alphabet characters. These are all present in several different colours, including blue, yellow and green. Collectively, they make up the slot’s first and frequently-appearing icons.
  • Following on from the Chinese alphabet characters, you’ll also get to see some icons of gods and their apprentices. These come in various different shapes and sizes, including a young boy with black hair, a laughing man in red and a barbarian-like man with a stack of gold. There’s also a female god in pink, clutching onto a wooden cane.

Lucky Little Gods Slot Software Provider

As we spoke of earlier, Lucky Little Gods comes from the Microgaming software developer. This company has been around for several years now, opening its doors in 1994 with the world’s first true online casino. In the time since then, Microgaming has crafted over 850 unique casino games, including over 1,200 variants.

Lucky Little Gods Slot Bonuses & Free Spins

As well as having a very appealing base game, Lucky Little Gods incorporates a few different specialities as well. These further enhance the slot and make it infinitely more enjoyable.

  • The first of its features is the wild symbol. This comes in the form of the game’s own logo. As a wild, it can substitute for all other icons upon the reels and thereby help you to form winning combinations. The only exceptions to this rule are the two scatter symbols and the free spins addition.
  • Speaking of the game’s scatter icons, the first one is that of the golden tree. This can show up on reels one and five only and whenever it does show up on one of these, it activates the Golden Tree Scatter Bonus. This isn’t specifically a special feature round, and instead only provides you with a random cash bonus of up to 40 times your in-play wager.
  • The other scatter symbol is the treasure pot icon. If this symbol appears on the third reel during the base game, the Treasure Pot Scatter Bonus begins. In this round, you need to pick one of the pots to receive a cash prize. This can be anywhere between times 20 and times 100 your overall stake.
  • The Little Gods Bonus Feature can trigger randomly on any losing spin during the main game. If this does happen, it sees a character appear on the screen to give you a cash sum pay-out. This can be anywhere between four times and 40 times your in-play bet.
  • Finally, the game also offers up a free spins round. To trigger this, you need to spin three, four or five firework icons into view in any location on the reels. From these, you’ll get eight, nine or 10 free spins respectively. During this round, reels one and five will become entirely wild throughout!

Lucky Little Gods Slot – Conclusion

There’s a lot of quirkiness behind this Microgaming slot, which is all part of its charm. The graphics are very appealing, and the overall game play makes it truly welcoming. When you add the inclusive special features to this, you’ll find yourself enjoying a thoroughly enticing Microgaming slot.

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