Japanese Mythology II Trivia Quiz

Answer: Shichifukujin

"Bosatu and Butsu" are sacred beings specifically from Japanese Buddhism, whereas Shinto gods, or kami, are from native Japanese mythology.

Amatsukami are "heavenly kami" which rule over the celestial realms, while the "earthy kami", or kunitsukami, guard the country and the emperors.

In Shinto mythology "obake" are angry ghosts who are vengeful spirits. It is believed that they were wronged in their lives or died in dishonorable circumstances.

Answer: Longevity

Jurojin is the god of longevity. He is shown with the stag, crane, and tortoise which are the symbols of contentment in old age.

Answer: Wisdom

Fukurokuju is known to have a long and narrow head and short body. He symbolizes wisdom and longevity. He is sometimes confused with his grandson Jurojin the god of longevity.

Answer: Benten

Hachiman is the god of war.

Inari is the god of rice fields and the patron of sword smiths.

Oh-kuni-nushi is the god of the land and an "earthly kami" which protects Japan.
Although these gods are also highly revered, they are not considered to be among the "Lucky Seven Gods" of Japan.

Answer: Ebisu

Ebisu is the god of luck and wealth. He is the patron of hard working fishermen and tradesmen.

Fire Fade is the god of hunters and is said to be the first emperor's, Jimmu Tenno, grandfather.

Susano is the god of thunderstorms and the sea. He is the sun goddess' (Amaterasu) brother and tormentor.

Fire Flash is Fire Fade's brother and god of fishermen. These two brothers where also competitive, like the gods Amaterasu and Susano, and had a bet to see who was better at each other's sport (hunting vs. fishing). Fire Fade lost Fire Flashes beloved fishing hook in the competition, which led him to a series of adventures. In these stories, he tries to recover his brother's hook and in the process falls in love with the Sea King's daughter.

Answer: Daikokuten

Daikokuten is often seen together with Ebisu as a father and son pair in many shrines. He is a cheerful god shown with a large sack of treasure flung over his left shoulder.

Many of the Japanese kami, or deities, are demi-gods or spirits that inhabit or watch over objects of nature, or geographic areas. The following kami are not part of the "Seven Lucky Gods" but are still well known mythological figures.

Iha-naga is the divine princess of longevity whose name means "Long-as-the-Rocks."

Oho-Yama is the father of Iha-naga and his name means "The Great Mountain Possessor."

Ko-no-hana is the youngest daughter of Oho-Yama her name means "Princess who Makes the Flowers of the Trees to Blossom.

Answer: True

Hotei is one of the "Seven Lucky Gods" but is seen as a more Buddhist deity than Japanese kami, or Shinto deity. He is shown with a huge stomach which represents good nature and his large joyful soul.

Answer: True

The Japanese practice of Shinto, ancestral and nature worship, incorporated Buddhist deities or "enlightened beings" when it came to Japan. Buddhism came from India through China and Korea around 593-621 CE. The imperial sun goddess Amaterasu was seen as "the primordial and eternal Buddha" ("Japanese Mythology" by Juliet Piggott).

Answer: Protection

Bishamonten is a god of war and protector of Buddhist practitioners. He is not the same as Hachiman, the god of war and protector of Japan, who was a deity created around 300 CE from the legend of an ancient emperor named Ojin. Bishamonten is seen dressed in full armor carrying a spear and a miniature Buddhist temple.

Answer: Treasure Ship

The Takarabune is the Treasure Ship of the Seven Lucky Gods. They are said to arrive by their treasure ship to visit worthy people on the New Year. They give gifts of money, in red envelopes with the image of the Takarabune on them, to good children.