Benten,
short for Benzatten, which in kanji means: Understanding-Wealth-Divinity. Among
the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, she is the one female deity shown playing a musical
instrument (biwa). Japanese legend believes that she confers upon her worshippers
wisdom, wealth, matrimonial bliss and victory in war.
Like Bishamon in the group, Benten is a deity of serious worship. Her identity
is intermingled in many forms. The Shinto Goddess Itsukushima has been considered
a manifestation of Benten; some have identified her with Sarasvati, the Hindu
Goddess of speech and learning; furthermore, Benten also resembles the Bodhisattva
of Compassion Kannon in her eight armed form. Their images are occasionally together
in Buddhist temples through out Japan. The shrines of Benten are mostly on islands,
the most famous being that in a cave on the island of Enoshima, not far from Yokohama.
As ancient legend has it, before the island existed, below the sea there was a
great dragon living in a lair who used to devour children. In the 6th Century,
a violent earthquake occurred and the island arose from the sea. Benten descended
from heaven, married the dragon, and thus put an end to his ravages.
