Japan House + ZENKYU Catalog 2021

ZENKYU

+

FALL 2021

HAPPY KOI KOI CAT From Chinese beliefs, Hotei (a.k.a Budai) is the generous God of Happiness and Abundance.

He is supposedly based on an actual person, a Chinese hermit Budaishi (d. 917).

He is represented as a Buddhist monk with a smiling face and a prominent belly, holding a sack that never empties, and a fan, said to be a “wish-giving” fan.

Outside Japan, he is known as “Laughing Buddha”.

Meet Benzaiten 弁才天 The only female of the Seven Happy Gods is Benzaiten, or Benten for short. She represents Beauty and Joy and was originally the Hindu goddess of water. Every major city in Japan has a shrine or temple dedicated to her. Places of worship number in the thousands and are often located near water. She is one of the nation's most widely venerated deities.

In Japanese tradition, she is the Goddess of Arts and Knowledge. Her common form is a beautiful woman dressed in a flowing Chinese-style robe and playing the biwa, a short-necked wooden lute, with a plectrum, a small flat tool used to pluck or strum a stringed instrument.

T-SHIRTS

Everyone loves to get “snail mail” these days! Why not surprise someone you love with one of these adorable postcards? Set of 6 includes one of each design. Translations in blue. $15 | 4”W x 5.75”H

“I want to live with a warm heart”

Meet Jurojin 寿老人

Described as a Chinese Sennin, or an Immortal, Jurojin is the God of Longevity, and is commonly presented as an old man wearing a hat with a long white beard. In one hand, he carries a knobby walking staff with a scroll tied to it, on which is written the lifespan of all living things. In his hand other hand, Jurojin holds a plum, another Japanese symbol of longevity.

POSTCARDS “Let’s make a day without regrets”

“You are an important person” “Thank you, thank you”

BLANK “Thank you for your kindness”

MAMORI JIZO

Originally from Indian Buddhism, Bishamonten is the God of Warriors (not war). He is also a God of Defense Against Evil. Almost always dressed in armor with a fierce look and wide stance ready to defeat evil. In one hand, he halds a lance to fight against evil influences.

In the other hand, he holds a treasure pagoda, or stupa, which is his main identifying attribute.

The virtue he represents is Dignity.

Daily Wall Calendar $35 | 7.75”W x 8”H

Back Cover

Interior Pages

Brought from China’s Taoist-Buddhist traditions, Fukurokuju is the God of Wealth, Happiness, and Longevity. Represented with an elongated forehead and white beard, he is usually represented with customary clothes of a Chinese scholar, holding a walking stick with a scroll tied to it. He is the only one from the seven that has the ability to revive the dead.

JAPAN HOUSE ZENKYU +

Thanks f

Meet Daikokuten 大黒天 Prior to being introduced in Japan, Daikokuten was a Hindu warrior deity named Mahākāla and represented the God of Wealth and Prosperity. He is well known for his pudgy face and happy-looking smile, he carries a bag on this shoulder filled with money and holds a magic mallet, or uchide nokozuchi, in his right hand.

Often paired with Ebisu, considered in some traditions to be his son, Daikokuten can be seen on key chains and mobile phone accessories to bring Fortune to the owner.

JAPAN HOUSE

University of Illinois College of Fine and Applied Arts 2000 South Lincoln Avenue Urbana, IL 61801 t: 217.244.9934 | e: japanhouse@illinois.edu japanhouse.illinois.edu

o ing!