The Seven Lucky Gods are here! Seven Lucky Gods Festival at Junenji Temple, KuwanaCity Mie Prefecture [Held on November 23, 2023]
掲載日：2023.11.15
The Seven Gods of Good Luck (Shichifukujin) are familiar gods to Japanese people. The Seven Lucky Gods Festival is held at Junenji Temple, where the Seven Lucky Gods, known as the gods that bring good fortune, gather in full force and each parishioner family prays to the Seven Lucky Gods.
In this topic, we will introduce in detail the location and access to the ``Junenji Shichifukujin Festival'', which is held on November 23rd every year.
What is the Seven Lucky Gods Festival at Junenji Temple?
The Kuwana Seven Lucky Gods began when the Seven Lucky Gods danced to pray for peace and good health for the common people at the recommendation of the wife of Sadashige Matsudaira, the lord of the Kuwana domain.The festival was revived in 1968 and continues to this day.
The Seven Lucky Gods Festival will be held for the 55th time in 2023. There was a time when we were closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, but we have been holding the event on a smaller scale than last year. This year, we plan to hold various events in a manner closer to normal than last year.
The last event is the ``Fukumochi Throwing'', where the Seven Lucky Gods throw lucky mochi from the top of the turret, which is a popular event every year.
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First of all, what are the "Seven Lucky Gods"?
What are the “Seven Lucky Gods” who bring good fortune?
Ebisuten: God of commerce with a fishing rod and sea bream representing a big catch
Daikokuten: God of wealth with a hammer
Bishamonten: God of wealth who carries weapons such as spears and treasure sticks
Benzaiten: The only goddess. God of wisdom and treasure
Hotei-son: A god with a long head, beard, and large earlobes who brings virtue and popularity.
Fukurokuju: A short-bodied, long-headed god with a beard and a cane with a scroll attached to it, who bestows good fortune, fortune, and longevity.
Jurojin: A god of long life with a long head and white hair, holding a fan and a cane with a scroll attached to it.
It is a general term for the gods of *There are various theories.
On the day of the Seven Lucky Gods Festival, the Seven Lucky Gods visit the homes of believers. To the song of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, the leaders hold up Japanese flag fans and chant, ``We welcome the Seven Gods of Good Fortune. Good health and prosperous business.'' After that, the Seven Gods of Good Fortune descend upon the shrine.
At the end, "Fuku Mame and Fuku Mochi" are scattered to pray for good health and good luck!
The Shichifukujin Festival is a festival where the Seven Lucky Gods, the gods who bring good fortune, come together to pray for the Seven Lucky Gods of each shrine parishioner. There will also be parades of the Seven Lucky Gods and children, dance performances, and an award ceremony for the book competition.
The mochi that is thrown during the mochi toss at the end of the festival is called Shichifuku Mochi (Shichifuku Mochi), and is a lucky charm that is said to bring good health and good fortune.
Date: November 23, 2023 (Friday/Holiday)
Schedule (planned)
10:00~All day Shichifukujin city practice
13:00 Modern Taishogoto (Kotoe-kai)
Photo session of the Seven Lucky Gods and Miss Kuwana
A balloon present by a clown (Iroha)
13:30 Tsugaru shamisen (Oyama style)
14:00 Chigo training (in front of Shinyashiki Park)
15:00 Book competition award ceremony
15:30 Lucky Mame/Lucky Mochi Throwing
All day Kaidan Tour/Goshuin stamp reception
Location Junenji Temple (53 temmacho KuwanaCity)
Traffic access
[Public transportation] From JR/Kintetsu/Yoro Railway "Kuwana Station" get off at the city loop bus "Kayamachi" and walk for about 1 minute
[Car] About 10 minutes from Higashi-Meihan Expressway "Kuwana IC"
Approximately 10 minutes from Isewangan Expressway "Wangan Kuwana IC"
[Parking] Parking spaces are limited and the area near the venue will be crowded, so please use public transportation if possible.
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About the book competition
This is an award ceremony for the winners of the ``Oseki Calligraphy Contest'' held at the main hall of Junenji Temple on the third Sunday of October every year.
The ``Votive Calligraphy Competition,'' which is attended by many children every year, is not open to the public, but instead invites people from the temple to come directly to the temple and perform calligraphy in the quiet main hall. It's something you don't often get to experience, so please try participating next year.