Benzaiten

Goddess of Eloquence and All that Flows

Introduction

The Buddhist deity Benzaiten, also commonly known as Benten, gained a foothold in Shinto through her affiliation and fusion with many kami and other deities. As the goddess of eloquence and things that flow, she specializes in a broad variety of realms from water and agriculture to music and art to wealth and good fortune. This diversity of specialties has allowed Benzaiten to become one of the most popular deities in modern-day Japan.  Benzaiten originated from the Hindu goddess Sarasvati, who was adapted into a Buddhist deity before her introduction to Japan in the 7 th  century (Ludvik, From Sarasvati to Benzaiten). Throughout Japanese history, depictions of Benzaiten have evolved to gradually include more specialties and affiliations with other deities and kami, such as her fusion with the kami Ugajin and inclusion in the Seven Lucky Gods. Although Benzaiten was removed from many shrines during the separation of Buddhism and Shinto in the Meiji period, because of her close association with Shinto, Benzaiten was revived in Shinto shrines after World War II (Schumacher, “Benzaiten, Benten”). This movement has allowed her to reach the widespread veneration she enjoys today.


History

Introduction to Japan as Sarasvati

The deity Sarasvati was first introduced to Japan in the 7 th  century through the Sutra of Golden Light, a Buddhist text that originated in India but spread throughout eastern Asia, (Ludvik, From Sarasvati to Benzaiten). The text includes a chapter dedicated to Sarasvati in which she is described as the “Great Eloquence Deity,” explains a medicinal bathing ritual, and is depicted as an eight-armed battle goddess (Ludvik, From Sarasvati to Benzaiten). This description establishes her function as a water deity and introduces the eight-armed image of Sarasvati that was common in her earliest depictions in Japan.

Association with Ugajin

In the Kamakura period, the Tendai sect of Buddhism initiated the union of Benzaiten with a local snake kami Ugajin, a transformation which established Benzaiten’s status as both a Buddhist and Shinto deity (Ludvik, “Uga-Benzaiten”). Ugajin alone is associated with agriculture, water, wealth, and good fortune, and by combining with Ugajin, Benzaiten became a goddess of these specialties as well (Schumacher, “Benzaiten, Benten”). The combination of these two deities culminates in the form of Uga-Benzaiten, a manifestation of Benzaiten in which she is depicted as an eight-armed goddess with Ugajin, a snake with the face of an old man, atop her head behind a torii (Ludvik, “Uga-Benzaiten”).  This form of Benzaiten is documented in the Three Sutras of Benten, a collection of text created around the time of the appearance of Uga-Benzaiten in the late Heian to Kamakura periods (Ludvik, From Sarasvati to Benzaiten). Through her fusion with Ugajin and adoption of his specialties, Benzaiten gained considerable popularity during the Kamakura period and transcended the boundaries between faiths to become a syncretic deity.

Emergence of Biwa-Playing Form

Another facet of Benzaiten’s iconography that flourished in the Kamakura period was her depiction as a two-armed, biwa-playing woman. Although the image of Benzaiten playing an instrument can be traced back to her Hindu origins, this manifestation of Benzaiten became increasingly popular in the Kamakura period as she enjoyed patronage from important figures such as Minamoto Yoritomo (Schumacher, “Benzaiten, Benten”). In some portrayals from this era Benzaiten is nude, although this style did not become the predominant one (Ludvik, From Sarasvati to Benzaiten). The fully clothed biwa­-playing form became the most popular depiction of the goddess in subsequent historical periods, as well as in the present day.

Inclusion in the Seven Lucky Gods

Benzaiten’s continued conflation with other kami and deities further cemented her popularity in the Muromachi and Edo periods. In the Muromachi period, Benzaiten was associated with Bishamonten and Daikokuten, two other wealth- and fortune-granting Buddhist deities. The trio is portrayed together as the three-headed deity Sanmen-Daikokuten (Schumacher, “Benzaiten, Benten”). This stands as yet another example of Benzaiten’s affiliation with other gods in ways that promoted her veneration as a deity. It was around this time that Benzaiten, along with Bishamonten, Daikokuten, and other deities, were grouped into the Seven Lucky Gods, a syncretic collection of fortune-bringing gods with a variety of origins in the Shinto, Hindu, Buddhist, and Daoist traditions (Schumacher, “Seven Lucky Gods of Japan”; “Shichifukujin”). Although the motives for including Benzaiten in this grouping can only be guessed, Schumacher posits that this diverse group of deities was brought together in an effort for particular Buddhist sects to attract and maintain followers (Schumacher, “Benzaiten, Benten”). This development led to an explosion in Benzaiten’s popularity during the Edo period. The Seven Lucky Gods are commonly depicted riding a treasure ship together, which is thought to travel to ports on New Year’s Eve to spread good fortune (Schumacher, “Seven Lucky Gods of Japan”). Additionally, as pilgrimages became increasingly common in the early modern period, most major cities developed pilgrimage circuits to shines and temples of the Seven Lucky Gods (Schumacher, “Benzaiten, Benten”). These prevalent celebrations of the Seven Lucky Gods gained traction throughout the Edo period and remain in practice today.

Persistence After the Separation of Buddhism and Shinto

As a Buddhist deity deeply entrenched in Shinto traditions, the separation of Buddhism and Shinto in the Meiji period had significant effects on the worship of Benzaiten. Many shrines, including the Three Great Benten Sanctuaries discussed below, chose to identify as Shinto, and subsequently removed and scattered their Benzaiten iconography (Schumacher, “Benzaiten’s Main Sanctuaries in Japan”). Despite this major setback, Benzaiten’s popularity made a resurgence after World War II, and the goddess was reinstated in many of her former shrines (Schumacher, “Benzaiten, Benten”). This recovery shows how important Benzaiten was in Japanese traditions and how the deity’s incorporation in the complex network of Japanese kami and deities allowed her to make a comeback.

Depictions and Iconography

As evidenced by the history and mythology of Benzaiten, the goddess has taken numerous forms over the centuries in Japan. Common elements in her iconography include snakes and dragons (her messengers and avatars), instruments, wish-granting jewels, and weapons. Examples of the primary manifestations of Benzaiten are shown below.


Shrines

Benzaiten is worshipped at thousands of locations across Japan (Schumacher, “Benzaiten, Benten”). Due to her status as a water deity, her shrines are typically located near water or on islands. In many cases, Benzaiten is enshrined alongside or conflated with local water deities. The most famous Benzaiten shrines are found in Enoshima, Itsukushima, and Chikubushima and are known as the Three Great Benten Shrines. These three shrines as well as the Tenkawa Shrine and Kinkazan Koganeyama Shrine make up another famous group known as the Five Great Benten Sanctuaries (Schumacher, “Benzaiten’s Main Sanctuaries in Japan”). The prevalence of Benzaiten shrines across Japan speaks to her widespread popularity across the country.

Locations of the 5 Major Sanctuaries of Benten


Conclusion

Benzaiten, goddess of all things that flow, represents a truly syncretic deity in Japanese tradition. Although Benzaiten stems from Hindu and Buddhist origins, she is deeply entrenched in Shinto through her associations with kami and her worship in Shinto shrines. Two examples of this are her affiliation with Ugajin and her inclusion in the Seven Lucky Gods, although there are countless other instances of this phenomenon in Benzaiten’s history. By joining with other kami and deities, Benzaiten’s popularity skyrocketed and her cults spread across Japan. Her connections to Shinto were strong enough to survive several decades of state-mandated separation from the Meiji period until World War II, after which Benzaiten experienced a revival to become the popular deity she is today.


Works Cited:

“Benzaiten.” Japanese Architecture and Art Net User Systems, 2001,  https://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/ .

Ludvik, Catherine. From Sarasvati to Benzaiten. University of Toronto, 2001. tspace.library.utoronto.ca,  https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/handle/1807/15465 .

---. “Uga-Benzaiten: The Goddess and the Snake.” Impressions, no. 33, 2012, pp. 94–109.

Schumacher, Mark. “Benzaiten, Benten.” A to Z Photo Dictionary of Japanese Buddhist and Shinto Deities, 2015,  http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/benzaiten.shtml#uga .

---. “Benzaiten’s Main Sanctuaries in Japan.” A to Z Photo Dictionary of Japanese Buddhist and Shinto Deities, 2015,  http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/benzaiten-sanctuaries.html .

---. “Seven Lucky Gods of Japan.” A to Z Photo Dictionary of Japanese Buddhist and Shinto Deities, 2015,  https://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/seven.shtml .

“Shichifukujin.” Japanese Architecture and Art Net User Systems, 2001,  https://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/s/shichifukujin.htm .

Images:

author, AnonymousUnknown. English:  Tenkawa Benzaiten Mandala, Muromachi. Muromachi period, mid- to late 15th century. Impressions, Number 33, Wikimedia Commons,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tenkawa_Benzaiten_Mandala,_Muromachi_period,_mid-_to_late_15th_century.jpg .

---. English: Uga-Benzaiten and Fifteen Boy Attendants. Muromachi period, second half of 15th century. Impressions, Number 33, Wikimedia Commons,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Uga-Benzaiten_and_Fifteen_Boy_Attendants,_Muromachi_period,_second_half_of_15th_century.jpg .

author, Unknown authorUnknown. English:  Benzaiten Surrounded by the Goddesses Kariteimo and Kenrōchijin and Two Divine Generals, Back Wall of a Kichijōten Miniature Shrine. circa  date QS:P,+1212- -00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 1212. Impressions, Number 33, Wikimedia Commons,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Benzaiten_Surrounded_by_the_Goddesses_Kariteimo_and_Kenrochijin_and_Two_Divine_Generals,_from_Kichijoten_shrine,_c._1212.jpg .

Daderot. English: Enoshima, Japan. 31 July 2017. Own work, Wikimedia Commons,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Enoshima_Shrine_-_Enoshima,_Japan_-_DSC07632.jpg .

Geomr. English: Koganeyama-Jinja in Kinkasan, Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. 3 Oct. 2006. Own work, Wikimedia Commons,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Koganeyama-jinja_2006-10-03.JPG .

Greyjoy, Balon. English:  The Torii Gate at the Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima. The Shinto Shrine Is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 11 Nov. 2018. Own work, Wikimedia Commons,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20181111_Itsukushima_Shrine_torii-2.jpg .

Japan, Tamago Moffle from. English:  Torii Gate of Tenkawa Grand Benzaiten Shrine. 16 Nov. 2009. DSCN3677, Wikimedia Commons,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tenkawa-dai-Benzaiten-sha_01.jpg .

Jiro, Saigen. 日本語: 都久夫須麻神社 龍神拝所. 14 July 2013. Own work, Wikimedia Commons,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tsukubusuma-jinja_ryuujin-haisho.JPG .

Katsushika, English: Collaborative painting by Hokusai. English:  Seven Lucky Gods of Japanese Deities Believed to Grant Good Fortune (Seven Gods of Good Fortune), the Standard Set, Early 19th Century (circa 1810s). Fukurokuju (Top Left Side), Hotei (Big Bag & Fan), Ebisu (Fish), Jurōjin (Center with Scroll), Bishamonten (Spear), Benzaiten (Woman with Biwa), Daikokuten (Rice Bale). Early 19th century, circa 1810s. http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/seven.shtml, Wikimedia Commons,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Seven-Lucky-Gods-of-Japan-Hokusai-%E4%B8%83%E7%A6%8F%E7%A5%9E.png .

Keisei, Creator:Aoigaoka. Benzaiten (Goddess of Music and Good Fortune) Seated on a White Dragon. Polychrome woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper, 1832date QS:P571,+ - -00T00:00:00Z/9 1832. Metropolitan Museum of Art, Wikimedia Commons,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%E9%A8%8E%E9%BE%8D%E5%BC%81%E8%B2%A1%E5%A4%A9-Benzaiten_(Goddess_of_Music_and_Good_Fortune)_Seated_on_a_White_Dragon_MET_DP135895.jpg .

Schumacher, Mark. Happi Benzaiten (8-Armed Benten). Modern Reproduction of Japan’s Oldest (8th Century) Benzaten Statue.  http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/benzaiten .