Benzaiten

Benzaiten is the name of one of the seven lucky gods of Japan. Their origin is mostly from India and China. Only one if them originated in Japan. Each of them existed independently before eventually becoming associated as a group in the 16th century. Their images appear frequently in modern Japan. Japanese legend has them traveling together in a ship called Takarabune filled with treasures. It brings fortune and prosperity to everyone. We studied Takarabune in January.

Each of the gods has a unique set of characteristics.

• Ebisu is the god of fishing, shipping and commerce. He is the one who originated in Japan. He is commonly presented wearing formal court clothes or hunting robes. He carries a fishing rod in his right hand and a large red sea bream under his left arm. Ebisu represents Honesty.

• Daikokuten, originally a Hindu warrior, is the god of wealth and prosperity. He is known for his happy-looking smile and is often depicted standing on two bales of rice with a magic mallet in one hand and a bag on his shoulder filled with money. He represents Fortune.

• Bishamonten, from Indian Buddhism, is the god of warriors (not of war) and a god of defense against evil. He is almost always dressed in armor with a fierce look, standing over one or two demons, symbolizing the defeat of evil. He carries a weapon in one hand and a treasure pagoda (or stupa) in the other. He represents Dignity.

• Hotei from China is the god of happiness and abundance. He is represented as a Buddhist monk with a smiling face and a prominent belly, holding a sack and a wooden staff, and is usually seated or sleeping in his bag. He is sometimes known as the laughing Buddha. He represents Happiness.

• Jurōjin from China is the god of wisdom and longevity. He is commonly presented as an old man. He wears a hat and has a long white beard. He holds a knobbed walking staff with a scroll tied to it. He is often accompanied by a deer, a symbol of longevity, for a messenger.  He represents Wisdom.

• Fukurokuju from China’s Taoist-Buddhist traditions is the god of wealth, happiness, and longevity. He has an elongated forehead and a long moustache. He customarily wears scholars’ clothing and like Jurōjin,holds a walking stick with a scroll tied to it. He is the only god who has the ability to raise the dead. He represents Longevity.

• Our painting subject this week is Benzaiten from Indian Hinduism, the only female of the group. She is the god of everything that flows including water, music, words, and eloquence. She is also popularly associated with femininity and love. Her shrines are commonly near bodies of water. She often holds a biwa, a four or five stringed musical instrument similar to a lute, and has a white snake or dragon as a companion. It is sometimes seen curled in her headdress. She also represents Wisdom.

This is a four-string biwa: