Jurojin does, however, have one thing that distinguishes him from his six peers. He is most often depicted along with them and is often conflated with another of the seven gods, Fukurokujo. While Jurojin was a popular subject in Japanese art, he never developed a following independent of the Seven Lucky Gods. Each of these gods represents a different virtue and has been recognized in some form for at least a thousand years.Īs the god of longevity, Jurojin’s image was considered particularly auspicious in Japanese art. He is one of the Seven Gods of Fortune, the Sichifukojin, of Japanese mythology. Deer, a traditional symbol of long life, are most common but he is sometimes shown with other long-lived animals like cranes or tortoises. Jurojin often has an animal companion that acts as his messenger. It is said to have on it the lifespan of all living things, and in some accounts is a Buddhist sutra. Often his head is shown as somewhat elongated as well, especially in comparison to his small frame.Īffixed to Jurojin’s staff is a long scroll. Jurojin has a long white beard and a bald head. ![]() He is a small man, traditionally measuring about 90 centimeters tall, who walks with a wooden staff and a fan. He is usually shown with the markers of his age. In Japanese mythology, Jurojin is the god of longevity and old age. In addition to his longevity, the Chinese god is noteworthy for being so localized that the Japanese adopted him twice! Jurojin and the Seven Lucky Gods He originated as a Taoist deity associated with a long life and the southern sky.Īs one of the two Taoist gods incorporated into the Japanese group of seven, however, Jurojin reveals as much about Chinese culture as he does about Japan. One of these was Jurojin, the god of longevity. ![]() The others were adopted from Chinese and Indian traditions. Only one of these gods, however, is Japanese in origin. This collection of deities bring luck by representing the seven most valued virtues of Japan. In Japanese culture, the Seven Gods of Fortune, or Shichifukujin, are a popular motif.
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