Imagine fishermen praying ritualistically to Ebisu before heading out. That is a common sight across Japan. We are standing before Ebisu Shrine. It is dedicated to Ebisu, the Japanese god of fishermen and luck. Ebisu is one of the Seven Gods of Fortune. He is the only one of the seven to originate purely from Japan. There is no Buddhist or Taoist influence.
In medieval times, Ebisu’s origin tied to Hiruko. Hiruko was the first child of Izanagi and Izanami. He was born without bones. Or perhaps without arms and legs. This was due to his mother’s transgression during the marriage ritual. Hiruko struggled. He could not stand. He was cast into the sea in a boat of reeds before his third birthday.
The story says that Hiruko washed ashore. It was possibly in ancient Hokkaidō. The Ainu Ebisu Saburo cared for him. Ebisu may have first arisen as a god among fishermen. His origin as Hiruko was a later idea. This happened after worship spread to merchants and farmers. Some believe he was originally Kotoshironushi no Mikoto. He was the son of Ōkuninushi.
The weak child overcame hardships. He grew legs at the age of three. He became the god Ebisu. He remains slightly crippled and deaf. But he is mirthful and auspicious. People call him “The laughing god”. He often wears a tall hat. It is the Kazaori Eboshi. He holds a rod and a large red sea bream. Jellyfish are also linked to Ebisu. Fugu restaurants often use Ebisu in their motif.
Fishermen tell stories of Ebisu. He keeps the ocean safe and pristine. He pushes debris to the shore. Ebisu has no arms or legs. Fishermen say it takes seven years for screws to wash ashore. Ebisu carries the seed in his mouth. He crawls along the ocean floor. Ebisu becomes enraged when people pollute the ocean.
Ebisu’s festival is on the twentieth day of the tenth month. This is Kannazuki. It is the month without gods. Other gods gather at The Grand Shrine of Izumo. But Ebisu does not hear the summons. He is still available for worship.
Ebisu often appears with Daikokuten. Daikokuten is another of the seven gods of Fortune. They are twin patrons for small shopkeepers. In some myths, they are father and son. Or they are master and apprentice. These two often join Fukurokuju. Together they form the “Three Gods of Good Fortune”.
Ebisu was often linked to marine megafauna. Whales and whale sharks bring in masses of fish. They protect fishermen. People call whale sharks “Ebisu-Shark”. In Northeast Japan, fishermen opposed whaling. They believed whales were an incarnation of Ebisu.
Ebisu appears in a wide range of media. This includes artwork and costumed impersonations. You can see him at local festivals. He is in commercial logos and advertisements. One logo is for Yebisu beer. Sapporo Brewery first brewed it in 1890. The clothing brand Evisu also takes its name from Ebisu.
The Osaka Evessa basketball team is named after Ebisu-sama. Locals pronounce it Ebessan. This shows the god’s importance in Osaka. The team mascot is Maido-kun. He is a childlike Ebisu in a basketball uniform.
This shrine before us has a history stretching back centuries. It evolved from ancient beliefs to become a symbol. It embodies prosperity and protection. As we leave, remember Ebisu’s story. Consider his connection to the sea and fortune.