Ebisu : The Fisherman God

Ebisu

Introduction

In Japanese mythology, Ebisu is a deity regarded as a patron of fishermen and artisans. He is depicted in various ways, such as being a fat, bearded fisherman who often carries a rod in his hand, and a sea bream, which is a symbol of good luck, on the other. His image is commonly seen in shops and establishments.

In some Shinto shrines, Ebisu is regarded as the misborn son of Izanami and Izanagi, who set him adrift in a reed boat because they thought he was inadequate. He is also associated with the character known as Sign-Master, who is a mythological hero who played a role in a conflict between heavenly and earthly deities.

In Japanese mythology, there are many deities of good fortune and luck. They are believed to have originated from various religions, such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and Shintoism. Even though they are all from different religions, Japanese people still worship the Seven Lucky Gods.

Physical Traits

Ebisu is believed to be associated with abundance and luck due to how bountiful the sea is. He is typically depicted as an unkempt fisherman who carries a large fish, usually a red sea bass or a sea bream, with him most of the times. When he was three years old, the child was renamed as Ebisu. Despite being slightly crippled, he is regarded as a righteous and happy god. In addition to being a fisherman, Ebisu is often depicted wearing a hat known as the Kazaori Eboshi. Ebisu is often depicted as a fisherman who is represented by various animals, such as whale sharks, whales, and jellyfish. As a child, he was partially paralyzed due to his lack of bones. 

Family

Although his exact origins are not known, it is widely believed that Ebisu was the first child of Izanami and Izanagi. Although he was the first kami brought into the world, his parents did not approve of him due to his disability. Some believe that he was the child of a kami of magic, such as Daikokuten, or Okuninushi, another deity from the Seven Lucky Gods. Most sources agree that he was brought up by Ebisu Saburo, the Ainu deity.

The most common story associated with Ebisu’s origin is that of Hiruko, who was the child of Izanami, and Izanagi. The two gods made him without bones as a result of their improper marriage rituals. Horrified by his appearance, they disowned him and threw him into the sea, where he floated until he eventually washed up on an unknown shore.

Ebisu Saburo looked after Hiruko, who was taken in by a group of Ainu. Although he was initially sickly, he grew legs and most likely had his skeleton formed as well when he was three. Due to his improved physical capabilities, he eventually became a happy god. Since he was grateful for the blessings of life, Hiruko, who by now was known as Ebisu, spread happiness and luck to everybody he met. Ebisu was also known to look favorably on fishermen.

Other names

There are many types of Kanji that refer to Ebisu, and the first two are usually translated to mean “a favorable yield.” The Ainu, Japan’s indigenous population, are also known to use these words. In most myths, Ebisu was originally called Hiruko. His name has since been changed to Ono-san-no-kami, which means “chief deity of business time.” Due to his cheerful nature, he is sometimes referred to as Laughing Ebisu or “Smiling Ebisu.”

Powers and Abilities

Since Ebisu could not attend the annual call to the Grand Shrine at Izumo, which is located in the tenth month of the Japanese calendar year, he gained various properties that other deities don’t. One of these is his being able to be worshipped anywhere, which makes him very popular among fisheries, restaurants, and corporations.

In Japan, Ebisu is regarded as one of the seven Shichiffukujin, or Seven Lucky Gods, who can provide abundance and wealth to those who are worthy. Only one of them, Ebisu, does not originate from India. He is often associated with Daikokuten and Fukuhuroku, and they are referred to as the Three Gods Of Good Fortune.

Modern Day Influence

Despite being a popular deity in Japanese culture, Ebisu has not made it into many modern forms of media, such as video games and anime. One of his appearances in an anime known as Noragami was alongside other Seven Lucky Gods. However, in the show, Ebisu is depicted as a very immoral person.

Besides being associated with pop-culture, Ebisu is also the namesake of various businesses, such as the Evisu clothing brand and the Yebisu Brewery. In Japan, the Ebisu festival is celebrated on the 20th day of the tenth month of Kannazuki. This event is significant as the Shinto community gathers at the Grand Shrine of Izumu in Chgoku to pray for Ebisu. Although he doesn’t hear the summons, he is still worshipped as if he did.