Snapshots │ Japan │ Inokashira Benzaiten │ 1

The Benzaiten temple within the Inokashira Park. Benzaiten is a typically Japanese, syncretistic deity, who combines the traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism on the one hand, and Shinto on the other. Benzaiten is the Hindu goddess Sarasvati, therefore the goddess of knowledge, music and art. However, Sarasvati merged with Ugajin, a deity linked with good harvest and wealth, to become Benzaiten. Perhaps for that reason, Benzaiten is popular, and is the sole goddess among the seven lucky deities known as Shichi Fukujin.