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.
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.
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).
It is common to see his figure in restaurants where fish is served or in household kitchens.
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.
Patroness of artists, writers, dancers, and geisha.
Depicted holding a biwa, Japanese traditional lute and accompanied by a white snake.
寿老人 Jurōjin - God of the elderly and of longevity.
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.
A lover of rice and sake.
布袋 Hotei - God of fortune, popularity and happiness.
Guardian of children. Patron of diviners and barmen.
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.
大黒天 Daikokuten - God of commerce and prosperity.
Patron of cooks, farmers and bankers. Protector of crops. Demon Hunter.
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.
福禄寿 Fukurokuju - God of wisdom, luck, longevity, wealth and happiness. (I thought this was Jurōjin, but the sash says otherwise.)
Patron of chess players.
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).
毘沙門天 Bishamonten - God of fortune in war and battles.
Protector of those who follow the rules and behave appropriately, holy sites and important places. Patron of fighters.
Depicted in armour and a helmet, carrying a pagoda in his left hand and a spear in his right hand.
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.
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.
The shrine includes a grouping of the 七福神 Shichi Fukujin [Seven Lucky Gods]
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.
(from the right) 布袋 Hotei
恵比寿 Ebisu & 福禄寿 Fukurokuju
大黒天 Daikokuten & 弁才天 Benzaiten
毘沙門天 Bishamonten & 寿老人 Jurōjin
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