A Japan Photo per Day

The God of Longevity

May 28, 2011 | 50 feedbacks »

Many Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples in Japan include in their premises small shrines dedicated to one of the Seven Gods of Luck, Shichi Fukujin.
The small shrine from this photo, one of the most beautiful of those I visited, is dedicated to Fukurokuju 「福禄寿」, the God of happiness, wealth and longevity, and it is located at the Iriya Kishimojin Temple in Taito-ku, Tokyo. Fukurokuju （Fuku means Happiness, Roku Wealth and Ju Longevity) is often represented as a short old man, with shaved head and a very tall forehead.

There are many opinions regarding the origins of Fukurokuju, but the most commonly accepted is that he is Shou Star, one of the Three Taoist Lucky Gods, Fu Lu Shou (Fu is the Good Fortune, Lu the Prosperity and Shou the Longevity). The Shou Star is also the star of the South Pole in the Chinese astronomy (known today as Canopus) and the God of Longevity. Actually, it seems that he was a Taoist hermit who lived in China during the Song Dynasty…

Click on photo for higher resolution:

Fukurokuju Shrine, Iriya Kishimojin, Tokyo
Fukurokuju Shrine, Iriya Kishimojin, Tokyo

Info:

Nikon D80
Lens: VR 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6G
Focal Length: 18mm
Aperture: F/5.6
Shutter Speed: 1/60s
ISO Sensitivity: ISO 100

Photo participating to Show Me Japan.

Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Harajuku Street Scene, Tama Depa


 
 


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icon james_dupree
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - The God of Longevity [link] via @Muzachan
08/04/11 @ 05:03
icon otakudenDotCom
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The God of Longevity [link]
06/06/11 @ 08:45
 Carmen Henesy, Carmen's Chronicles Email · http://www.rnsane.blogspot.com
I am, increasingly, suffering from osteoarthritis, especially in both shoulders and knees - my orthopedist is recommending joint replacement surgery. At 66, I just dread all that -maybe because I am a registered nurse for 45 years. I don't think I would pray for longevity if this pain doesn't improve!! Of course, wealth and happiness might make all that a little beter!!!
06/04/11 @ 07:12
icon purplehayz
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A #Japan photo per day - The god of longevity [link]
06/01/11 @ 23:50
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A Japan Photo per Day - The God of Longevity [link] via @Muzachan
05/30/11 @ 06:20
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05/29/11 @ 21:11
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A Japan Photo per Day - The God of Longevity : [link] #TOTC_Photo
05/29/11 @ 17:00
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RT @AnnaTrouble: A Japan Photo per Day - The God of Longevity [link] via @Muzachan for #ShowMeJapan
05/29/11 @ 15:13
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A Japan Photo per Day - The God of Longevity [link] via @Muzachan
05/29/11 @ 13:57
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A Japan Photo per Day - The God of Longevity [link] via @Muzachan
05/29/11 @ 09:44
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A Japan Photo per Day - The God of Longevity [link] via @Muzachan for #ShowMeJapan
05/29/11 @ 08:55
 AnnaTrouble · http://www.budgettrouble.com/
Thank you for sharing!
05/29/11 @ 08:55
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GoyaRepublic E-Zine: A Japan Photo per Day - The God of Longevity: [link] via @addthis
05/29/11 @ 01:34
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RT @Shirokij: A Japan Photo per Day - The God of Longevity [link] via @Muzachan
05/28/11 @ 22:27
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A Japan Photo per Day - The God of Longevity [link] via @Muzachan
05/28/11 @ 22:26
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RT @Muzachan: A Japan Photo per Day - The God of Longevity [link]
05/28/11 @ 22:23
icon Muzachan
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@cha1283 You're so right (^_^)
05/28/11 @ 18:03
icon cha1283
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@Muzachan This story really make me to live for an long time! People should have really good fortune once an while! Thank you so much!
05/28/11 @ 17:09
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A Japan Photo per Day - The God of Longevity [link] via @Muzachan
05/28/11 @ 17:07
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RT @Muzachan: A Japan Photo per Day: The God of Longevity [link]
05/28/11 @ 14:56
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A Japan Photo per Day - The God of Longevity [link]
05/28/11 @ 14:09
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RT @angelacorrias: A Japan Photo per Day - The God of Longevity [link] via @Muzachan
05/28/11 @ 13:50
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A Japan Photo per Day - The God of Longevity [link]
05/28/11 @ 13:20
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05/28/11 @ 12:41
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05/28/11 @ 11:52
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05/28/11 @ 11:14
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05/28/11 @ 10:46
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05/28/11 @ 10:41
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A Japan Photo per Day - The God of Longevity [link]
05/28/11 @ 10:24
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@Muzachan nice little shrine :)
05/28/11 @ 09:18
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RT @Muzachan: A Japan Photo per Day - The God of Longevity [link]
05/28/11 @ 09:18
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A Japan Photo per Day - The God of Longevity [link] via @Digg
05/28/11 @ 08:55
 Japan Australia · http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/
Cool!! Thanks for the info. I find it fascinating learning about the 7 lucky gods in Japan.
05/28/11 @ 07:38
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Japan News: A Japan Photo per Day - The God of Longevity: Many Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples in Japa... [link]
05/28/11 @ 07:21
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05/28/11 @ 07:13
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05/28/11 @ 06:41
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RT @muzachan: Une photo du Japon par jour - Le Dieu de la longévité [link]
05/28/11 @ 06:00
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A Japan Photo per Day - The God of Longevity [link] via @Muzachan
05/28/11 @ 05:47
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