(although he dresses
aristocratically, he carries a fish and a pole)
The
god of candor, wealth and good fortune, as well as of fair dealing.
Japanese believe and agree that Ebisu is a
native god. Some say he was the third child of prince
Isanagi and princess
Izanami; some say he is offspring of the god
Daikoku; some say he was a real person whose name was Kotoshiro-Nushi-no-Mikoto, but since he had the same name as his father, adopted the name Ebisu. He has a
passion for fishing. He is the patron of “foreigners”. He is said to have originated the custom of clapping hands before
Shinto shrines.
He is the only god of the
Shichifukujin to have a day named after him: Ebisu-ko (sales and bargain day at shops).