Daikokuten

In Japan, Daikokuten (大黒天), the god of great darkness or blackness, or the god of five cereals, is one of the Seven Lucky Gods (Fukujin). Daikokuten evolved from the Buddhist form of the Indian deity Shiva, syncretized with the Shinto god Ōkuninushi under shinbutsu-shūgō.[1] The name is the Japanese equivalent of Mahākāla, the Hindu name for Shiva.[2]

Daikokuten
Daikoku, God of Wealth

Iconography

Daikoku is variously considered to be the god of wealth, or of the household, particularly the kitchen. He is recognised by his wide face, smile, and a flat black hat. He is often portrayed holding a golden mallet called Uchide no kozuchi, otherwise known as the "mallet of fortune", and is seen seated on bales of rice, with rats nearby signifying plentiful food.

He is also considered a god of fertility, for which he is portrayed making the obscene fig sign, carrying a suggestively bifurcated daikon (sometimes called the "bride of Daikoku"), sporting a huge erect penis, or being entirely represented himself by a phallus.[3][4][5]

The Japanese also maintain the symbol of Mahakala as a monogram. The traditional pilgrims climbing the holy Mount Ontake wear tenugui (a kind of white scarf) with the seed syllable of Mahakala.

Daikoku's image was featured on the first Japanese bank note, designed by Edoardo Chiossone.

Worship

The god enjoys an exalted position as a household deity in Japan. Daikoku's association with wealth and prosperity precipitated a custom known as fukunusubi, or "theft of fortune". This custom started with the belief that whoever stole divine figures was assured of good fortune if not caught in the act. The toshi-no-ichi (year-end market) held at Sensō-ji became the main venue of the sale and disposal of such images by the fortune-seekers. Many small stalls were opened where articles including images of Daikoku were sold on the eve of New Year celebrations.[6]

During the Muromachi period, bifurcated daikon were offered to Daikokuten.[5]

Goddess Daikokutennyo

The Butsuzōzui compendium of 1690 (reprinted and expanded in 1796) lists and illustrates six different manifestations of Daikoku, including the feminine form known as Daikokunyo (大黒女) ("She of the Great Blackness") or Daikokutennyo (大黒天女) ("She of the Great Blackness of the Heavens").[7] As Daikoku is the nipponized form of the masculine Mahākāla, Daikokutennyo is the nipponized form of the feminine Mahākāli (a.k.a. Parvati).

When Daikoku is regarded as the feminine Daikokutennyo,[7] and Kisshoutennyo is counted among the seven Fukujin,[8] all three of the Hindu Tridevi goddesses are represented among the Fukujin.

See also

References
  1. Roberts, Jeremy (2009). Japanese Mythology A to Z. Infobase Publishing. p. 28.
  2. Pal, Pratapaditya. Indian Sculpture: 700-1800. Los Angeles County Museum of Art. p. 180.
  3. Bernard Fabre, Protectors and Predators: Gods of Medieval Japan, Volume 2
  4. Stephen Turnbull, Japan’s Sexual Gods: Shrines, Roles and Rituals of Procreation and Protection
  5. Saroj Kumar Chaudhuri, Hindu Gods and Goddesses in Japan
  6. Thakur, Upendra (1986). Some Aspects of Asian History and Culture. Abhinav Publications. p. 190. ISBN 978-81-7017-207-9.
  7. "Butsuzōzui (Illustrated Compendium of Buddhist Images)" (digital photos) (in Japanese). Ehime University Library. 1796. p. (059.jpg).
  8. "Butsuzōzui (Illustrated Compendium of Buddhist Images)" (digital photos) (in Japanese). Ehime University Library. 1796. p. (077.jpg).
  • Japan and Indian Asia by Hajime Nakamura. Publisher: Firma KLM, 1961. Publication Date: 1961
  • India and Japan: A Study in interaction during 5th cent - 14th century - By Upendra Thakur .
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