Yanesen Diary - New Year Event
Visit Shichi Fuku Jin (Seven Lucky God) and collect stamps
Shichi means seven, Fuku means lucky and Jin means God. Therefore Shichi Fuku Jin means "Seven Lucky Gods". Visiting all seven Gods located in seven different temples in Yanaka is a popular traditional event during New Year holiday season. As an evidence of visit you can get a stamp on a specially designed sheet at each temple, and after collecting all the stamps the sheet would look like this.
"Seven Gods? Why so many? “This is common question by visitors from USA or Europe.
"In Japan it is said that there are 108 Gods. Actually they are more like spirits, angels, guardians or saints than God in western culture. “I always explain it in that way.
Let me introduce the lucky seven with each benefit.
Fukurokujyu （popularity or promotion)
Ebisu (good business)
Hotei (happiness for family)
Bishyamon (guardian)
Jyuroujin (longevity)
Daikoku (wealth)
Benten (art and love)
I am sorry I have no image. She is the lady playing the lute in the middle of the first picture. She is inside the following hall named Bentendo.
These statues except Daikoku and Benten are open to public during this season only (from January 1 to January 10). Daikoku is on display always amd Benten is disclosed onle onece a year on another day.
We can visit some of these temples during my Yanesen Walking Tour to feel a part of Japanese unique event .
