Kokeshi style wood figure of 7 happy gods on platform, four figures are loose A: 3 painted wood figures glued to wood rectangular platform. "Bishamon", god of the North, war, glory; nodding round head, brown painted helmet with gold spikes and white rivets, painted black eyebrows, eyes, red dots for nose and mouth; painted black robe with brown collar, blue sleeves, gold clasp in front, tan belt, blue pants, painted yellow bow, gray sword. "Jurojin", god of longevity; nodding round head, painted red hat with yellow design, painted black eyebrows, eyes, nose, red mouth, white whiskers; painted blue robe with white dots and light blue collar with yellow outline and design; painted white crane with red crown, yellow bill at lower front. "Daikoku", god of wealth, riches; nodding round head, painted red short cap with gold design in front, light blue ring around bottom of cap, painted blue eyebrows, black eyes, nose, and sideburns, red mouth, painted red curliques on each side of his head; painted green robe with brown dots, painted brown miner's hammer in hand, painted large white sack over his shoulder. On upper part of platform is written in ink the names of the 7 happy gods: "Bishamon", "Jurojin", "Hotei", "Ebisu", "Daikoku", "Benzaiten", "Fukurokuju"; on the bottom is written in ink a description of the figures: "1. god of glory--warrior, 2. god of longevity, 3. children's patron saint, 4. god of plenty, 5. god of wealth, 6. goddess of great beauty, 7. god of good fortune, wisdom", "Georgia Sealoff, 1952"; written in pencil: "which is longer--head of F. or a spring day? No one can tell--both are so long" (referring to Fukurokuju and his tall forehead). B: "Hotei" H: 1.5", round nodding head, bald with red curliques on each side of head, painted black eyebrows, nose, eyes, red mouth, round body with bare chest, painted red robe with black collar, blue and white painted design. C: "Ebisu" (Yebisu), god of fishers and commerce, H: 1.75", round nodding head, bald with painted gold rounded cap with blue trim and chin strap, red curliques at both sides of head, gray eyebrows, black eyes, nose, red mouth; painted yellow robe, white bib-like garment showing in front and back, with brown sash, green skirt or pants, holding a painted red and gold fish. D: "Benzaiten" (Benten), H: 1.75", nodding round head with shaped topknot, painted black hair in a bun with pink and yellow hair decoration in front, 2 black dots on forehead, black eyes, nose, red mouth; painted peachy red robe with red dots and purple and white shawl, folded arms with yellow obi? with red dots showing above, holding something brown with white dots, purple trim on sleeves, brown patch with white hachi design in lower front. E: "Fukurokuju" H: 2", nodding egg shaped head, bald, painted gray forehead wrinkles, white eyebrows, black eyes, black nose, red mouth, white whiskers with grey streaks, red curliques on each side of head; painted blue robe with white dots, yellow underrobe, painted brown staff. 7 GODS OF HAPPINESS "Their origin has been traced back to the days of the Shogun Yemitsu, and the story is told that they were the outcome of a dream. Yemitsu awoke one morning on the first day of the year 1624 and his spirit was troubled. A famous courtier of the Shogun, the wise Dai Oino Kami persuaded his master that the seven monsters who had frightened him were none other than the disguised gods, the seven gods of happiness or good fortune, paying him a visit at the advent of a New Year. His cleverness convinced Yemitsu, and showed him a list borrowed from the divinities of the 3 religions: Shintoism, Buddhism and Taoism. Taoism: EBISU or YEBISU, god of the fishers, of commerce and of daily food***; Taoism: JUROJIN, god of longevity, round-headed, smiling, sometimes accompanied by a deer or stork, and FUKUROKUJU, god of wisdom, having a long head; Buddhism: BISHAMON, god of the North, god of war; DAIKOKU, god of riches, with money or rice-bag and a miner's hammer**; HOTEI, the fat-bellied, smiling god of contentment and gaiety, protector of children; BENTEN, goddess of beauty." From The ABC of Japanese Art by J.F. Blacker, p. 35, 36. "One of the many beliefs concerning the Seven Lucky Gods of Japan is that during the first 3 days of the NEW YEAR, they become sailors and command a magic ship called the TAKARABUNE, treasure ship. It is said that the gods steer the treasure ship from heaven into human ports every New Year's Eve. On the second eveing of the new year, it is the custom to place a picture of the seven gods on the treasure ship under one's pillow to induce "hatsuyume", lucky first dreams of the year. A lucky dream indicates that the remainder of the year will be fortunate for that individual, if he does not reveal the dreams to anyone! The seven gods are a group of deities, whose origins stem from Indian, Chinese, and indigenous Japanese gods of fortune. Each of the seven gods has been recognized as a deity for more than a thousand years. Through the years, the gods have been transformed from impersonal deities to warmer and more benevolent patrons of profession, arts, and skills. Which is your Patron God? JUROJIN: God of Wisdom--Accountants, administrators, astronomers, clerks, engineers, inventors, journalists, judges, mathematicians, politicians, philosophers, professors, scientists, secretaries, teachers BENTEN: Goddess of Art--Actors, artists, beauticians, composers, dancers, entertainers, gamblers, musicians, painters, photographes, sculptors, writers BISHAMON: God of Honor--Defender against evil, clergymen, missionaries, physicians, dentists, nurses DAIKOKU: God of Wealth, Patron Saint of Farmers--bankers, carpenters, craftsmen, farmers, gardeners, financiers** EBISU: God of Good Fortune, God of Fair Dealing--attorneys, executives, fishermen, housewives, merchants, sailors*** FUKUROKUJU: God of Longevity--Athletes, chess players, scientists HOTEI: God of Magnanimity, Symbol of Happy Life, Guardian of Children--Fortune tellers, bartenders, cooks" From The Seven Lucky Gods published by Charles E. Tuttle Co. (see excerpt in "Festival--Japan" file) ***EBISU-KO FESTIVAL Ebisu is one of the Seven Gods of Fortune in Japan. It is said that when the Eight Million Deities of Japan assembled at the great shrine of Izumo to discuss momentous affairs and arrange for the marriages of Japanese maidens in the 10th month (October), which therefore is literally called Kanna-tsuki or "godless month" in Japan, meaning that all the gods are absent at Izumo, Ebisu was too busy fishing to hear the summons, and he remained at large. Hence he is also the patron of fishermen, and his statue always carries a Tai (sea-bream) and a fishing rod. The Ebisu-Ko Festival is held annually on the 20th day of the 10th month, when the tradesmen have a special celebration and give entertainments to their customers. They visit the Ebisu shrines, of which the Imamiya shrine near Osaka, is best known, and make offerings in order to insure their share of good luck during the coming year. Every pious visitor of the ebisu Shrine carries home a green branch of bamboo to which are tied the gaily colored good-luck charms and talismans: red cardboard tai (sea-bream), a picture of Ebisu himself, tokens symbolizing wealth, such as gilt paper shaped like the old doban-coins, treasure chests, purses, money-bags, rice-bales, dice suggesting luck, a target with an arrow in the bullseye as an appeal for success in undertakings of all kinds. At home the statues of Ebisu are displayed on a stand, and various kinds of edibles are offered to him, Tai (sea-bream) being one of the most important offerings at this festival. The chrysanthemum, which is at its best in October (of the Gregorian calendar), is also offered on the stand. **THE "NEW YEAR'S EVE" OF DAIKOKU Daikoku, another of the Seven Gods of Fortune, is always associated with Ebisu. He is of Indian origin, and his name is a translation of the Indian word "Mahakala" (great colour). In some localities in Japan, the "New Year's Eve" of Daikoku is observed on the 9th of December. Then all the statues of Daikoku and Ebisu that are in the family are displayed on a stand on which are offered various kinds of fruit, vegetables and sweetmeats. A forked radish is indispensable at this festival." from "Calendar of the Floral and Festival Land of Japan" published by Fujiya Hotel, Miyanoshita, Japan, see October, 1992.62.1 in Archives file.

1996.010.072