Seven Lucky Gods: Japanese New Years Tradition

In Japan, the Shichifukujin are the seven gods of fortune. The group is composed of seven deities originally found in Shintoism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism. The seven gods are:

Ebisu: The god of fishing, agriculture, and trade. He is the only deity in this group that is native to Japan and belongs to the shinto tradition. He is one of the most popularly worshiped gods due to the staples he rules over, and is identified by the presence of a fishing rod in one hand and a large fish in the other.

Daikokuten: God of agriculture, prosperity, and commerce. He is of buddhist and hindu origins. He is often seen holding a mallet and a large sack, and sitting on a bag of rice.

Bishamonten: A god of war of buddhist and hindu origins. He is the deity responsible for warding off evil spirits. He wears armor and carries a spear and a miniature pagoda.

Benzaiten: Goddess of arts, beauty, and knowledge. She is the only female of the group and also a powerful warrior. She is portrayed with a biwa, a traditional string instrument, and is often enshrined near water.

Fukurokuju: God of wisdom, luck, and longevity from the taoist tradition. He is depicted as a small elderly man with a very big forehead and a long white beard. He carries a wooden staff and is often seen with a crane or turtle nearby, two animals associated with longevity.

Jurojin: God of longevity and health in taoism. Like Fukurokuju, he is also depicted as an elderly man with a long white beard sometimes accompanied by a crane or a deer. He holds a scroll and a peach.

Hotei: God of happiness and good fortune. He is based on a Zen monk of Chinese Buddhism. He has a smiling face, a round belly, and a large sack on his shoulders.

As a New Year's tradition, the followers of the seven gods perform a Shichifukujin meguri, a pilgrimage, to be blessed with happiness and success for the following 12 months. This tradition dates back to the Edo period (1603-1868) when these seven gods were on Ukiyo-e prints and the activity was done to honor the gods and attract their prosperity and happiness. The pilgrimage involves visiting a temple or shrine for each god and collecting a stamp at each one. These stamps or seals are known as goshuin. They are formed in calligraphy and are especially created for each deity and temple. Participating temples sometimes also issue a shikishi, a special board for the stamps issued throughout the first week of January.

Though the Shichifukujin meguri can technically be done at any point during the year, it is most common for people to do this during the first week of January to boost their luck and happiness for the year ahead.

Yamanote Shichifukujin Meguri

The oldest pilgrimage is allegedly the Yamanote Shichifukujin Meguri, which dates back to the 18th century. This pilgrimage takes you through six temples in the Meguro ward of Tokyo. The temples should be visited in the following order for health and longevity or in reverse for prosperity in business:

Kakurinji Temple: This temple, founded in 1631, is dedicated to Bishamonten and is located a short distance from Shirokanedai Station on the Nanboku Subway Line.

Zuishoji Temple: A 10 minute walk from Kakurinji Temple, one can find Zuishoji Temple. This temple is dedicated to Hotei and dates back to 1670.

Myoenji Temple: This temple cuts down the list of temples to visit by one as it is dedicated to two deities: Fukurokuju and Jurojin. What is known as the temple today is a 1954 reconstruction after the original was destroyed by a bombing in 1945. The reconstructed temple is only a 7 minute walk from Ziushoji Temple.

Daienji Temple: Daienji Temple is the place of worship for Daikokuten, though there are statues of several Buddhist deities and all the Seven Lucky Gods. It was founded in the early 17th century and is a 12 minute walk from Myoenji Temple.

Banryuji Temple: Eight minutes away, one can find Banryuji Temple which is dedicated to Benzaiten. The small temple was founded in 1648.

Ryusenji Temple: The final or first temple, depending on one's goal, is a 5 minute walk from Banryuji Temple. It is the largest and oldest temple in this pilgrimage, having been founded in 808. This temple worships Ebisu.

Koedo Kawagoe Shichifukujin Meguri

The Koedo Kawagoe Shichifukujin Meguri is another popular option. Kawagoe is a castle-town from the Edo period that has managed to retain a nostalgic atmosphere. The pilgrimage here can begin either at Kawagoe station on the Tobu Tojo Line or at Hon-Kawagoe station on the Seibu Line. The temples involved are the following:

Myozenji Temple: This temple is where Bishamonten is worshiped. It is located a five minute walk from either station.

Tenneji Temple: Eleven minutes away, one can find Tenneji Temple for the Jurojin stamp.

Kitain Temple: This temple is for Daikokuten. It was founded in 830 and is a 15 minute walk from Tenneji Temple.

Niratasan Temple: A visit to Naritasan Temple, 3 minutes away, will provide a stamp for Ebisu.

Renkenji Temple: Fukurokuju is worshiped at this temple built in 1549. It is 8 minutes from the previous temple.

Kenryuji Temple: A stamp for Hotei can be received at this temple. It was founded in 1558 and rebuilt in 1881 after being damaged by multiple fires.

Myoshi Temple: Finally, a visit to Myoshoji Temple for the stamp of Benzaiten. The temple was built in 1375 and is a 7-10 minute walk from both starting stations.