The Seven Lucky Gods in Japan. (七福神)

The books about luck and the good luck goods has been published a lot in Japan. The beckoning cat is introduced in the books often. 

A beckoning cat. It is also called a welcome cat. "Please come to my restaurant (or my store)!"

But the Seven Lucky Gods (七福神) is being introduced as a lucky mascot following the beckoning cat.
The Seven Lucky Gods that it is faith in Japan as bring fortune.

In the end of Muromachi era (1336-1573), the god of wealth faith had spread in Kyoto. It is the age of the Onin War (1467-77). Not only samurai, people are also exhausted at the time. There was an atmosphere people needed the god of wealth. At the same time, the people (civilian) were trying to do the business and could earn money. 

The faith of the god of wealth began to fashion between the people. Buddha was god to wish the good harvest and to save the country. In the end of Muromachi era, it became the people wished their wealth individually. At the time, the Seven Lucky Gods were born for the people.

The name and features of The Seven Lucky Gods are like below.

1. Fukurokuju: god of happiness, wealth and longevity
2. Jurojin: god of long life
3. Benzaiten (Benten-sama): goddess of knowledge, art and beauty, especially music
4. Bishamonten: god of warriors
5. Hotei: the fat and happy god of abundance and good health
6. Daikokuten (Daikoku): god of wealth, commerce and trade
7. Ebisu: god of fishers or merchants, often depicted carrying a sea bream
Ebisu and Daikoku are often paired and represented as carvings or masks on the walls of small retail shops.

If you want to live longer, maybe you should be with Fukurokuju and Jurojin. Actually they are same god! If you want to be smart and be an artist, you should be with Benten-sama. Want to be strong? Please be with Bishamonten. Get a healthy body? Please be with Hotei. Everybody needs money! And get a prosperous business? Please be with Daikoku and Ebisu!

Thank you so much!

Do you know Dajare? What is Dajare? It makes you happy in a moment!

Hello, everyone! Long time no see? Sorry!

"Dajare (駄洒落（だじゃれ）)" is the pun in Japanese. It is a play on words that the meaning of two words or phrases are different, but a sound is very similar or the same. For example in English, "Hi, Jack!" (call name) and "Hijack" (Aircraft hijaking) will be a factor of Dajare.   

From 40's to 50's men in Japan loves to say Dajare so especially, young people called "Oyaji (means men of 40's to 50's) Gag" in Japan. There is a funny Oyaji Gag but most likely not funny. But sometimes the apathetic Dajare makes us laugh after a brief interval. 

Why does Oyaji generation say a lot of Dajare? Oyaji said, "It is a kind of difficult to communicate with young people without Dajare." According to the doctor of social psychology, "they would say Dajare because it is difficult to have a common topic with young people. Dajare makes Oyaji get close to the younger generation easily. In other words, Dajare is Oyaji's conversation skill to young people. 

But we should not underestimate Dajare. As described above, Dajare is to combine two different words or phrases by reason that sound similar. A brain scientist says, "Trying to combine unrelated words and phrases is so creative. People who say Dajare have a creative brain." 

There is also a company that decided to use Dajare as the official language in the office because Dajare has the potential to facilitate the communication. It has been scientifically proven. The company is Domino's Pizza Japan. The president of the Domino's Pizza Japan, Scott Orca has an enthusiasm for Dajare. Here is his message. 

I think they are still using Dajare in a meeting.  I hope they keep using Dajare to facilitate the communication in their office and they can make the creative brains.

Here is my Dajare in English!

"I ate eel and I got an ill"

It's not funny? That's a Dajare!:) But Does it make you laugh and happy a little bit? Please try to think your own Dajare and let me know your Dajare!! :) 

Thank you so much!