Hachiman.

Bishamonten the God of War is a major god in Japanese mythology. Hotei, likewise called Budai, is considered as the client of barmen as well as diviners, the protector of youngsters, and also the god of appeal as well as lot of money. He is just one of the 5 gods who show up theoretically to make forecasts about one's character as well as fortune; he likewise has a counterpart in Japanese mythology called Susanoo-no-Mikoto (known as Bishamonten in Japan).

Benzaiten additionally stems from Hindu ideas as well as functions as the Japanese equivalent of Saraswati, a Hindu goddess. Bishamonten can be discussed Bishamonten the God of War with the prism of numerous religions - Hinduism, Hindu-Buddhism, Chinese Buddhism, as well as Taoism, in addition to Japanese Buddhism.

This outsized popularity is likely a reflection of the truth that Ebisu is the only one of the Seven Lucky Gods that is totally native to Japan. And there's one god that possibly shows this far better than most - Bishamonten, Bishamon, Vaisravana, or Tamonten.

Bishamonten and also Shitenno iconography is associated with the 4 Holy Symbols, a Chinese group of four epic pets (dragon, red bird, tiger, turtle) that guard the 4 cardinal directions (eastern, south, west, north). Above sketch from Butsuzō-zu-i 仏像図彙, "Gathered Images of Buddhist Images." First published in 1690 (Genroku 元禄 3). Major Japanese dictionary of Buddhist iconography.