七福神 Shichi Fukujin [Seven Lucky Gods or Seven Gods of Fortune]
There are many pilgrimages around Tokyo associated with the Seven Lucky Gods. Most involve visiting a sequence of shrines that each enshrine one (or perhaps two) of the Lucky Gods.
Here are a trio of sites that enshrine all seven gods in one location.
Just outside the JR Akabane Station is 七福神広場 Shichi Fukujin Hiroba [Seven Lucky Gods Square]. Not so much an enshrinement of the Lucky Gods as an art installation.
The bronzes (?) have a modern feel to them and a whimsical approach to the icons associated with each deity.
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From the right (facing the plaza).
恵比寿 Ebisu - God of prosperity, wealth in business, plenitude and abundance in crops, cereals and food in general.
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Patron of fishermen. Represented with fishermen's costumes such as a typical hat, a fishing rod in his right hand (here in his left foot) and a carp, a hake, a codfish, a sea bass, or any large fish, symbolizing abundance in meals (such as a feast or banquet).
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It is common to see his figure in restaurants where fish is served or in household kitchens.
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弁才天 / 弁財天 Benzaiten (also 弁天 Benten, 弁天様 Bentensama and 弁才天女 Benzaitennyo) - Goddess of financial fortune, talent, beauty and music.
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Patroness of artists, writers, dancers, and geisha.
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Depicted holding a biwa, Japanese traditional lute and accompanied by a white snake.
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寿老人 Jurōjin - God of the elderly and of longevity.
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Depicted with a very long head with a long white beard, riding a deer and accompanied by a crane and tortoise (symbols of longevity), holding a scroll or book with the wisdon of the world.
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A lover of rice and sake.
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布袋 Hotei - God of fortune, popularity and happiness.
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Guardian of children. Patron of diviners and barmen.
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Depicted as a fat, smiling, bald man with a curly moustache, shabbily dressed, his enormous stomach uncovered, carrying a bag on his shoulders loaded with fortunes.
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大黒天 Daikokuten - God of commerce and prosperity.
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Patron of cooks, farmers and bankers. Protector of crops. Demon Hunter.
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Characterized by his smile, his short legs and the hat on his head. Depicted with a bag full of valuable objects, a 打ち出の小槌 uchide no kozuchi [Tap-Appear Mallet] (legendary Japanese "magic hammer" which can "tap out" anything wished for) and often astride a pair of rice bales.
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福禄寿 Fukurokuju - God of wisdom, luck, longevity, wealth and happiness. (I thought this was Jurōjin, but the sash says otherwise.)
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Patron of chess players.
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Depicted with a large head carrying a crane and scroll with writing about the world. Accompanied by a turtle, crow or deer (symbols of long life).
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毘沙門天 Bishamonten - God of fortune in war and battles.
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Protector of those who follow the rules and behave appropriately, holy sites and important places. Patron of fighters.
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Depicted in armour and a helmet, carrying a pagoda in his left hand and a spear in his right hand.
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Just outside Kaminakazato Station on the 京浜東北線 Keihintohoku Line, at the base of 蝉坂 Semizaka [locust slope] is a small road side shrine, 上中里西方不動尊 Kaminakazato Seihō Fudōson.
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The shrine is dedicated to 不動明王 Fudō Myō-ō, "The Immovable", flanked by 韋馱天 Idaten the Swift, with three heads astride a wild boar.
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The shrine includes a grouping of the 七福神 Shichi Fukujin [Seven Lucky Gods]
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菖蒲七福神 Shōbu Shichifukujin are located a short walk from the 堀切菖蒲園駅 Horikirishōbuen Station on the 京成本線 Keisei Line in the 堀切 Horikiri neighborhood of Katsushika Ward.
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(from the right) 布袋 Hotei
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恵比寿 Ebisu & 福禄寿 Fukurokuju
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大黒天 Daikokuten & 弁才天 Benzaiten
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毘沙門天 Bishamonten & 寿老人 Jurōjin
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