A Japan Photo per Day

On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven

Dec 31, 2011 | 65 feedbacks »

In the Japanese tradition, during the New Year’s night, the Seven Gods of Luck are traveling in their ship Takarabune (meaning “treasure ship"), bringing gifts and good luck to those who believe in them. Kind of like Santa Claus, multiplied by seven!

The Japanese tradition says that if you buy during the New Year’s day an image with Takarabune and place it under your pillow, you will have good luck all year… It is also said that you will get rid of bad luck and/or bad dreams by throwing the image in the water…

In Japanese, the Seven Gods of Luck are called Shichifukujin 「七福神」, from shichi 七 = seven, fuku 福 = happiness, good fortune and kami, jin 神 = god.

Here’s what I think is the most beautiful representation of Takarabune, found on a billboard from Nakamise-dori in Asakusa. In the upper row from left to right: Fukurokuju (God of happiness, wisdom, longevity, virility and fertility), Hotei (God of happiness, satisfaction and abundance), Juroujin (God of longevity) and in the second row Bishamonten (God of war and warriors), Ebisu (God of good fortune, commerce and honest work), Benzaiten (Goddess of arts and knowledge) and Daikokuten (God of wealth and prosperity).

Happy New Year!
あけましておめでとう！

Click on photo for higher resolution:

The Seven Gods of Luck (Shichifukujin)
The Seven Gods of Luck (Shichifukujin)

Info:

Nikon D90
Lens: VR 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6G
Focal Length: 18mm
Aperture: F/5.6
Shutter Speed: 1/500s
ISO Sensitivity: ISO 200

Yesterday’s Japan Photo: New Year’s Japanese good luck charm, Hamaya


 
 


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icon eileenludwig
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link] via @Muzachan
04/20/12 @ 19:00
icon mummy_t
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Japan's Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link] via @Muzachan
02/02/12 @ 18:20
icon Benzkhouw
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RT @NomadicSamuel: A Japan Photo per Day - On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link] via @Muzachan
01/06/12 @ 11:25
icon NomadicSamuel
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A Japan Photo per Day - On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link] via @Muzachan
01/06/12 @ 11:22
icon angelacorrias
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On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link] via @Muzachan
01/04/12 @ 11:35
icon NvGtravels
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On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link] via @Muzachan #Japan
01/03/12 @ 12:00
icon TraveloCafe
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A Japan Photo per Day - On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link] via @Muzachan
01/03/12 @ 02:22
icon sichree23
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link] via @Muzachan
01/02/12 @ 19:10
 Sherry · http://Colorfulfootsteps.com
Lovely whimsical shot and a wonderful story of a Japanese tradition. We all have to believe in good things for our future. I wish I can just throw my bad luck in water, too.
01/02/12 @ 15:34
icon ItalianNotes
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link] via @Muzachan
01/02/12 @ 10:04
icon RyukyuMike
tweeted:
Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven - [link]
01/02/12 @ 00:11
icon GoyaRepublic
tweeted:
GoyaRepublic E-Zine: A Japan Photo per Day - On New Year's night, the Shichi fuku jin (Seven Happy Gods)... [link]
01/01/12 @ 23:31
icon darktek13
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link] via @Muzachan
01/01/12 @ 16:18
icon nispell
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A Japan Photo per Day - On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link] via @Muzachan
01/01/12 @ 15:15
icon JJLuke77
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link] via @Muzachan
01/01/12 @ 12:41
 Caroline Rigby
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Wishing you a happy new year and thanks for the pictures.
01/01/12 @ 09:39
 tatsu kubo
on-Google+:
Happy New Year!
01/01/12 @ 09:31
 至安原
on-Google+:
おめでとうです～～
01/01/12 @ 03:57
 Cédric KROLIKOWSKI
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Happy new year !
01/01/12 @ 03:28
icon UnsinkableJapan
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RT @muzachan: Happy New Year! On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link] #newyear #Japan
01/01/12 @ 00:20
 Lee Giddins
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Happy New Year!
12/31/11 @ 22:39
 Muhammad Iqbal Ismail
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Happy New Year ^^
12/31/11 @ 22:10
icon CR2JPN
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link] via @Muzachan
12/31/11 @ 20:46
 Umeboshi san
on-Google+:
Happy New Year 2u :) and thanks for all your photos :)
12/31/11 @ 20:29
 Eiji Kumamaru
on-Google+:
A Happy New Year!! :-)
明けましておめでとう御座います。本年も宜しくお願い致します＾＾。
12/31/11 @ 19:30
icon cumtudu
tweeted:
@Muzachan Happy New Year 2012 to you too.
12/31/11 @ 18:56
 chen x
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happy new year!
12/31/11 @ 18:16
 Jaywin Chia
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Happy New Year :)
12/31/11 @ 17:45
 Wenrui Liu
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Happy New Year!
12/31/11 @ 17:04
icon siliafr
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: Happy New Year! On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link]
12/31/11 @ 17:00
 Takashi Asao
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あけましておめでとう！
12/31/11 @ 16:59
icon no_nuu_name310
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: Happy New Year! On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link]
12/31/11 @ 16:45
icon TheOkasanworld
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RT @Muzachan: Happy New Year! On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link]
12/31/11 @ 16:44
 akira_BBQ
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RT @Muzachan: Happy New Year! On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link]
12/31/11 @ 16:36
icon Sym0na
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On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link] via @Muzachan
12/31/11 @ 16:35
icon tiffany_jeume
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七福神 #japan “@ririchania: あけましておめでとう！On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven In the... [link]
12/31/11 @ 16:34
icon RekishinoTabi
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RT @Muzachan: Happy New Year! On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link]
12/31/11 @ 16:33
icon ririchania
tweeted:
Happy New Year!
あけましておめでとう！

On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven

In the... [link]
12/31/11 @ 16:16
 Hiromi Toyota
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A Happy New Year！
記事、いつも楽しく拝見しております。
12/31/11 @ 15:17
 Francois Pham
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Happy New Year! ^_^
12/31/11 @ 14:41
 Kawa U
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Happy New Year!
12/31/11 @ 14:20
icon _dd8
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A Japan Photo per Day - On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link] via @Muzachan
12/31/11 @ 14:17
 Mark Esguerra
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Awesome! And a Happy New Year's to you! ;-)
12/31/11 @ 14:16
 Marie Hélène Visconti
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Happy New Year
12/31/11 @ 14:15
icon kun_san
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RT @Muzachan: A Japan Photo per Day - On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link]
12/31/11 @ 14:08
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RT @Muzachan: A Japan Photo per Day - On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link]
12/31/11 @ 12:36
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A Japan Photo per Day - On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link] via @Muzachan
12/31/11 @ 11:44
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RT @Muzachan: A Japan Photo per Day - On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link]
12/31/11 @ 10:18
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GoyaRepublic E-Zine: A Japan Photo per Day - New Year's Japanese good l... [link]
12/31/11 @ 07:36
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On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link]
12/31/11 @ 06:30
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A Japan Photo per Day - On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link] via @Muzachan
12/31/11 @ 05:32
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On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link]
12/31/11 @ 05:14
icon siliafr
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RT @Muzachan: A Japan Photo per Day - On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link]
12/31/11 @ 04:23
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A Japan Photo per Day - On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link] via @Muzachan
12/31/11 @ 04:13
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RT @Muzachan: A Japan Photo per Day - On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link] Nice pic
12/31/11 @ 04:11
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RT @Muzachan: A Japan Photo per Day - On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link]
12/31/11 @ 04:05
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On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven: [link] #JBlogs
12/31/11 @ 03:54
icon JoannaTanChong
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A Japan Photo per Day - On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link] via @Muzachan
12/31/11 @ 03:42
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On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven: In the Japanese… [link]
12/31/11 @ 03:38
icon AyeshaKay
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"@Muzachan: A Japan Photo per Day - On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link]
12/31/11 @ 03:28
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On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven: In the Japanese tradition, ... [link] via @Muzachan
12/31/11 @ 03:22
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[Muza-chan] On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link] /via @muzachan
12/31/11 @ 03:22
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RT @Muzachan: A Japan Photo per Day - On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link]
12/31/11 @ 03:21
 Japan Australia · http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/
Very cute and love the background story behind it :)
12/31/11 @ 03:19
icon Japan_Australia
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A Japan Photo per Day - On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven [link] via @Muzachan
12/31/11 @ 03:16