Harunobu Seven Lucky Gods Series

Navigation ⋮⋮ Click Titles for Quick Access

Discovering the Seven Lucky Gods Through Harunobu’s Art

Navigation ⋮⋮ About｜The Seven Lucky Gods | Recommended

New Year in Ukiyo-e

Suzuki Harunobu’s Series of Seven Lucky Gods

The Seven Lucky Gods and Japanese New Year Traditions

As the New Year begins, did you know that Japan’s Seven Lucky Gods are symbols of fortune and prosperity? This belief, deeply rooted in Japanese culture, originated in the late Muromachi period and reflects a blend of Buddhist, Hindu, and Taoist traditions. The Seven Lucky Gods (Shichifukujin) are Ebisu, Daikokuten, Fukurokuju, Jurojin, Bishamonten (also known as Tamonten or Vaiśravaṇa), Benzaiten, and Hotei. Each deity bestows unique blessings such as wealth, health, longevity, or happiness.

In traditional Japanese customs, placing an illustration of the Seven Lucky Gods aboard the Treasure Ship (Takarabune) under one’s pillow on the first night of the New Year is believed to bring an auspicious first dream. Many people also visit shrines dedicated to the Seven Lucky Gods or participate in the Shichifukujin Meguri (Seven Lucky Gods pilgrimage) to pray for good fortune in the coming year.

Suzuki Harunobu: A Master of Ukiyo-e

Suzuki Harunobu (c. 1725–1770) was a prominent Ukiyo-e artist of the mid-Edo period, celebrated for his refined bijin-ga (portraits of beautiful women) and distinctive style. His works often incorporate waka and haiku, imbuing his compositions with poetic charm. Ukiyo-e served as a visual medium in Edo society, capturing daily life while conveying the cultural essence of the time.

Harunobu’s Seven Lucky Gods series exemplifies this. In these works, he skillfully intertwines folklore with everyday life, depicting each deity with meticulous attention to their personality and attributes. By combining seasonal imagery and Edo customs, Harunobu brings the Seven Lucky Gods to life in a way that resonates with viewers on a personal level.

Each deity in Harunobu’s art radiates a vivid and relatable charm, blending traditional auspicious meanings with the artist’s signature style. His intricate portrayal of expressions and gestures adds a sense of intimacy, bridging the divine and the everyday. This captivating approach highlights the universal appeal of Ukiyo-e art.

Discover the Seven Lucky Gods through the lens of Suzuki Harunobu and immerse yourself in the fortune-filled traditions of Japanese New Year celebrations!

Navigation ⋮⋮ About｜The Seven Lucky Gods | Recommended

Through Harunobu’s Paintings

The Seven Lucky Gods

Ⅰ. Ebisu

Ebisu（恵比寿）
Origin: Japanese mythology
Divine Attributes: God of harvest, fishing, and prosperity, Ebisu is the only one among the Seven Lucky Gods with purely Japanese origins.
Common Depiction: Wearing a court hat (eboshi), dressed in hunting robes (kariginu), holding a fishing rod in one hand and a sea bream (tai) in the other.

Ebisu, adorned in traditional attire, is Japan’s unique guardian deity. He bestows prosperity and wealth upon the diligent but reminds us that effort is key to achieving success.

Ⅱ. Daikokuten

Daikokuten（大黒天）
Origin: Indian Hindu deity Mahākāla, later introduced to Japan through Buddhism
Divine Attributes: Bringer of good fortune, wealth, and happiness
Common Depiction: Wearing a cloth headdress, smiling broadly, holding a small mallet, and often seen with a large bag of treasures.

Daikokuten, transformed from Shiva’s fierce Mahākāla into a benevolent figure, embodies warmth and abundance in Harunobu’s art. He is more than a wealth deity—he is a comforting presence.

Ⅲ. Bishamonten

Bishamonten（毘沙門天）
Origin: Indian Buddhist deity Vaiśravaṇa
Divine Attributes: Grants blessings, protects against misfortune, and ensures victory, especially in battles
Common Depiction: Armored, wielding a pagoda in one hand and a spear in the other.

Bishamonten, clad in armor, stands as a guardian of prosperity and virtue. Beneath his stern exterior lies a deep compassion for humanity. Revered by Japanese warriors, he is also known as Tamonten, the patron of victory.

Ⅳ. Benzaiten

Benzaiten（弁財天）
Origin: Indian Hindu goddess Saraswati
Divine Attributes: Symbol of eloquence, artistic creativity, and fortune
Common Depiction: A serene goddess, often holding a biwa (Japanese lute).

As the only female among the Seven Lucky Gods, Benzaiten radiates elegance and creativity. Originating from the Indian water deity, she evolved into a beloved goddess in Japan, embodying the charm of art and prosperity.

Ⅴ. Juroujin

Juroujin（壽老人）
Origin: Chinese Taoist deity, associated with the South Pole Star
Divine Attributes: Bestows health and longevity
Common Depiction: A gentle elderly figure with a long staff, accompanied by a scroll, crane, or deer.

Juroujin, with his slender frame and kind demeanor, is a symbol of long life and vitality. His appearance often mirrors Fukurokuju, reflecting their shared role in promoting longevity.

Ⅵ. Hotei

Hotei（布袋尊）
Origin: Chinese Buddhism
Divine Attributes: Represents abundance, joy, and wealth
Common Depiction: Bald, round-bellied, with a broad smile, carrying a sack of treasures or a leaf fan.

Hotei, the jolly monk with a cheerful disposition, is a beloved figure in Japanese culture. Often considered a manifestation of Maitreya Buddha, he is the embodiment of boundless happiness and fulfillment.

Ⅶ. Fukurokuju

Fukurokuju（福祿壽）
Origin: Chinese Taoism
Divine Attributes: Combines fortune, wealth, and long life
Common Depiction: Characterized by an elongated forehead, carrying a staff and scroll.

Fukurokuju’s distinctively elongated forehead is a hallmark of his identity. He symbolizes the unity of prosperity, wealth, and longevity, making him one of the most cherished deities in Japanese folklore.

Navigation ⋮⋮ About｜The Seven Lucky Gods | Recommended

The Seven Lucky Gods Through Harunobu’s Art

New Year’s Blessing

The Seven Lucky Gods (Shichifukujin) are an integral part of Japanese culture. Through his delicate brushwork, Suzuki Harunobu brings these deities to life, capturing not only their individual roles but also the composition’s harmony that reflects the Edo-period aspirations for happiness and prosperity.

These ukiyo-e masterpieces provide a window into the cultural essence of the Seven Lucky Gods, while highlighting the unique role of ukiyo-e as a medium for everyday communication. During the New Year, Harunobu’s artwork transcends time, offering a glimpse into Japan’s traditional beliefs and artistic allure. His work continues to convey blessings of happiness and fortune from the past to the present.

Wishing you a joyous and prosperous New Year!

REFERENCE

Suzuki Harunobu. (2025, January 2). In Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_Harunobu
Seven Lucky Gods. (2025, January 2). In Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Lucky_Gods
Harunobu,S. (c. 1769). Benzaiten, from the series “The Seven Gods of Good Luck in the Floating World (Ukiyo Shichi Fukujin)”. The Art Institute of Chicago. Retrieved January 1, 2025, from https://www.artic.edu/artworks/6744/benzaiten-from-the-series-the-seven-gods-of-good-luck-in-the-floating-world-ukiyo-shichi-fukujin
Harunobu,S. (c. 1769). Daikokuten, from the series “The Seven Gods of Good Luck in the Floating World (Ukiyo Shichi Fukujin)”. The Art Institute of Chicago. Retrieved January 1, 2025, from https://www.artic.edu/artworks/6733/daikokuten-from-the-series-the-seven-gods-of-good-luck-in-modern-life-tosei-shichi-fukujin
Harunobu,S. (c. 1769). Ebisu, from the series “The Seven Gods of Good Luck in the Floating World (Ukiyo Shichi Fukujin)”. The Art Institute of Chicago. Retrieved January 1, 2025, from https://www.artic.edu/artworks/6737/ebisu-from-the-series-the-seven-gods-of-good-luck-in-modern-life-tosei-shichi-fukujin
Harunobu,S. (c. 1769). Fukurokuju, from the series “The Seven Gods of Good Luck in the Floating World (Ukiyo Shichi Fukujin)”. The Art Institute of Chicago. Retrieved January 1, 2025, from https://www.artic.edu/artworks/6725/fukurokuju-from-the-series-the-seven-gods-of-good-luck-in-the-floating-world-ukiyo-shichi-fukujin
Harunobu,S. (c. 1769). Hotei, from the series “The Seven Gods of Good Luck in the Floating World (Ukiyo Shichi Fukujin)”. The Art Institute of Chicago. Retrieved January 1, 2025, from https://www.artic.edu/artworks/6722/hotei-from-the-series-the-seven-gods-of-good-luck-in-modern-life-ukiyo-shichi-fukujin
Harunobu,S. (c. 1769). Jurojin, from the series “The Seven Gods of Good Luck in the Floating World (Ukiyo Shichi Fukujin)”. The Art Institute of Chicago. Retrieved January 1, 2025, from https://www.artic.edu/artworks/6741/jurojin-from-the-series-the-seven-gods-of-good-luck-in-the-floating-world-ukiyo-shichi-fukujin
Harunobu,S. (c. 1769). Tamonten, from the series “The Seven Gods of Good Luck in the Floating World (Ukiyo Shichi Fukujin)”. The Art Institute of Chicago. Retrieved January 1, 2025, from https://www.artic.edu/artworks/6729/tamonten-from-the-series-the-seven-gods-of-good-luck-in-modern-life-tosei-shichi-fukujin

CITATION

Art Learnings. (2025, January 15). New Year Blessings in Ukiyo-e: Suzuki Harunobu’s Seven Lucky Gods Series. Retrieved from https://artlearnings.com/art-learnings/new-year-blessings-in-ukiyo-e-suzuki-harunobus-seven-lucky-gods-series/

New Year Blessings in Ukiyo-e: Suzuki Harunobu’s Seven Lucky Gods Series

Suzuki Harunobu’s Series of Seven Lucky Gods