Benzaiten Goddess of Music and Patron of The Arts in Japanese Mythology

Baca Juga

FEMUSINDO.com - Japan has around 65 gods, according to Shinto tradition. These gods consist of the Main God, Amaterasu-Ōmikami.

Commonly called Amaterasu, she is the sun goddess and the ancestor of the Japanese Imperial family.

In Japanese mythology, Benzaiten or Ben(zai)ten is the goddess of music and patron of the arts who is also associated with eloquence, luck, and knowledge.

Benzaiten is an older form of the Hindu goddess Saraswati. Benzaiten first arrived in Japan during the Asuka period, from 538 to 710.

Benzaiten, who is depicted as an intelligent and beautiful woman, is the only goddess in the Shichifukujin group, or the Seven Lucky Gods of Japan.

Initially, Benzaiten was the god of water, Saraswati in Hinduism, but over time she became the goddess of music and eloquence in Japan.

Later, she would become the Goddess of art and prosperity, after absorbing the personality of Kichijouten, who is often considered her partner or twin.

She is also worshiped for her enmusubi power, which means the power to connect men and women to each other.

Just like some other music gods, Benzaiten is also often depicted holding a biwa or lute to show her musical skills.

However, outside of that, some say she is also sometimes depicted holding a sword or having the head of a snake or dragon. (*)