The Seven Gods of Happiness/Luck

I first came across these guys in a shop in Japan, and I instantly fell in love with them. They were happy gods that resembled cartoon characters, and I knew that I had to bring them home (because they were so happy). Little did I know that was what they were: the seven gods of happiness or luck.

Some Freak Magazine explains them this way: "The Tokai Seven: like Ocean's Eleven, but much older. And less criminal. They are both pretty lucky though." According to that website, the Shinagawa district of Tokyo has seven temples each dedicated to a different one of these gods. The new year is a busy time for these temples, as it is a tradition to make a sort of pilgrimage to visit each one.


From left to right (according to Wikipedia and On Mark Productions):
1. Ebisu, god of fishers or merchants, often depicted carrying a sea bream (represents the virtue of candor).
2. Daikokuten (Daikoku), god of wealth, commerce and trade (represents the virture of fortune).
3. Benzaiten (Benten-sama), goddess of knowledge, art and beauty, especially music (represents the virture of amiability).
4. Bishamonten, god of warriors (represents the virture of dignity).
5. Jurōjin, god of wisdom (represents the virture of longevity).
6. Fukurokuju, god of happiness, wealth and longevity (represents the virture of popularity).
7. Hotei, the fat and happy god of abundance and good health (represents the virture of magnamity).