Benzaiten- Japanese GodDeity"Goddess of Everything That Flows"

The Enoshima Dragon

The Enoshima Engi tells how a five-headed dragon terrorized the Koshigoe coast near Kamakura, devouring children and blighting the land. In 552 CE the earth shook, clouds descended, and the island of Enoshima rose from the sea. Benzaiten appeared upon it. The dragon fell in love with her. She refused him, condemning his cruelty. He repented and pledged to protect the land rather than destroy it. Benzaiten accepted him. The dragon's body became the hills of the coastline, and his spirit guards the shrine to this day.

The White Snake

Benzaiten's shrines stand on islands, beside rivers, at the seashore. Enoshima near Kamakura and Chikubu Island in Lake Biwa are among her most sacred places.

White snakes are her messengers. Seeing one brings her blessing. The shrine on Chikubu Island keeps a white snake as a living sacred animal. In some shrines she appears as Uga-Benzaiten, crowned with the coiled body of a white snake bearing an old man's face: a startling image that binds her to Ugajin, a snake deity of harvests and wealth.

The Jealous Goddess

Benzaiten has a reputation for jealousy. Couples avoid visiting her shrines together, fearing she will curse their relationship. The belief is widespread across her worship sites. At Enoshima, at Chikubu Island, the warning persists.

The Treasure Ship

Benzaiten is the only woman among the Shichifukujin, the Seven Lucky Gods who sail together on their treasure ship bringing fortune at New Year. Among the jovial, plump male gods, she stands out elegant and refined, playing her biwa.

At Zeniarai Benzaiten in Kamakura, worshippers wash coins and banknotes in sacred spring water flowing from a cave, believing the money will multiply. The crowds are largest on Days of the Snake, Benzaiten's sacred day.