Seven Lucky Gods Pilgrimage
The New Year in Japan begins with Shichifukujin Meguri (七福神めぐり), a traditional pilgrimage to pray for good luck for the whole year. Many Japanese participate in the pilgrimage to visit seven local shrines and temples in honor of the Seven Lucky Gods of Fortune. This can be a daunting task in midwinter, but many welcome the tradition in the hopes of having a blessed year.
The Seven Gods of Fortune (七福神/Shichi Fukujin) are well known in Japanese mythology and folklore and are popular subjects for figurines or carvings. These Japanese divinities are derived from native religious beliefs and traditions derived from Shintoism, Taoism, or Buddhism. Many of the deities in Japanese folklore and all of the Seven Lucky Gods, except for Ebisu, originated from China (with some Indian influence).
The Seven Lucky Gods are a familiar sight not just during the New Year, but all year round. Benzaiten is the goddess of everything that flows, Bishamonten the god of fortunate warriors and guards, Daikokuten the god of wealth, Fukurokuju the god of wisdom and longevity, Ebisu the laughing god, Jurōjin also represents longevity, and Hotei as the Laughing Buddha.
Shichifukujin Meguri or the the Seven Lucky Gods pilgrimage is not exclusive to the New Year, but it is said that the gods arrive with gifts for the deserving in their treasure ship towards the beginning of the New Year, making January the traditional time for the pilgrimage. Participating in the Shichifukujin Meguri is a wonderful opportunity for many visitors to see various shrines and temples all around Japan. There are several recommendations for the pilgrimage with suggested sites to visit.
The pilgrimage tradition’s main objective since the Edo period is to collect stamps called shuin (朱印), from each of the seven temples or shrines that you visit along the entire course. The shuin are stamped on a piece of decorative cardboard called shikishi (色紙) and are available at any of the participating temples and shrines. The stamped shikishi should then be placed in your house to bring you good fortune for the entire year.
The Seven Gods of Fortune pilgrimage is a wonderful cultural experience that should not be missed whenever in Japan for the New Year.