The Story of EBISU - Episode 3: The god known as "Ebisu," the god of fortune
This is a completely original KAMIYO special episode that fills the “void” left unrecorded in the history books of Japanese mythology.
We weave the hidden, true tale of the gods here.
Welcome to the abyssal world of Japanese mythology.
Prologue: Beyond the Haze of the Age of Gods
The Age of Gods (Kamiyo), when Izanagi and Izanami created Oyashima (The Great Eight Islands) and the Yaoyorozu no Kami (Eight Million Gods) dwelled in all of nature, gradually receded beyond the haze in the eternal flow of time.
The gods either ascended to the heavenly realm (Takamagahara) or quietly closed their eyes in shrines deep within ancient forests.
However, there was only one god who refused to ever leave the living sphere of humans.
It was Ebisu, the indomitable firstborn who had once drifted on the sea in a reed boat, overturning the sorrow of his abandonment with a "Smile."
"If a god just sits back arrogantly above the clouds, he cannot laugh together with everyone on the earth, can he?"
Even as eras changed and the activities of humans grew more complex—from "fishing and hunting" to "agriculture," and finally to "commerce through currency"—Ebisu's stance never wavered.
He stayed close to the sweat of fishermen hauling nets and loved the vibrant energy of merchants shouting in the markets.
People exchange goods, and in that exchange, the gratitude of "Thank you" and smiles are born. That, to him, was the most beloved form of "Fortune" (Fuku).
Earth-bound, noisy, and resilient humans.
Ebisu continued to walk alongside them, and before long, the masses came to call him by a deeply affectionate nickname.
—"Ebessan."
Chapter 1: The Merchant City Naniwa and Imamiya Ebisu Shrine
As time passed, a massive commercial metropolis formed at the center of Japan.
The city of water, Naniwa—present-day Osaka.
In this enthusiastic city where people and goods gathered from all over the country, there was an ancient shrine dedicated to Ebisu: "Imamiya Ebisu Shrine."
It is said to have begun during the reign of Empress Suiko, when Prince Shotoku enshrined Ebisu as the guardian deity of the west while building Shitennoji Temple. As the merchant city developed, this shrine established its position as the headquarters for "Prosperity in Business" (Shobai Hanjo) in Japan.
Within the shrine grounds sits the statue of Ebisu, holding a sea bream under his arm and wearing a beaming smile.
He is not a god who remains silent in the solemn depths of a sanctuary.
He sits right in the middle of the market's hustle and bustle, using the clinking of flying gold coins and the spirited shouts of merchants as his background music, laughing his hearty "Wahahahaha!" every single day.
"That's good, that's good! That vitality enriches the city!"
To him, commerce is not merely about making money. It is the "supreme entertainment (game) for living"—wringing out wisdom and sweat, overcoming hardships, and bringing smiles to customers. That is exactly why Ebisu loved those who worked desperately in commerce as if they were his own children, continuing to bestow unconditional fortune upon them.
Chapter 2: Toka Ebisu — The Enthusiasm that Burns the Winter Sky
Every year, in January, when the winter cold is at its most severe.
For three days—the "Yoi-ebisu" on the 9th, the "Hon-ebisu" on the 10th, and the "Nokori-fuku" on the 11th.
Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, along with Ebisu shrines across the country, is enveloped in unbelievable enthusiasm.
This is the greatest festival continuously passed down to the modern day: "Toka Ebisu" (The Tenth-Day Ebisu).
Under a freezing winter sky where temperatures border on sub-zero, a massive crowd of nearly one million people surges into the grounds of Imamiya Ebisu Shrine over these three days.
Food stalls jostle together along the approach, the savory scents of grilled squid and takoyaki fill the air, and vibrantly colored paper lanterns brilliantly illuminate the night.
"Shobai hanjo de, sasa motte koi!" (For prosperous business, bring a bamboo branch!)
Riding the light rhythm of traditional festival music, this spirited chant echoes throughout the grounds.
It is a cheerful invitation from Ebisu: "Bring a bamboo branch, and I will grant you the fortune of prosperous business."
Before the prayers and heat of over a million people, and Ebisu's overwhelming energy of "Yang," even the freezing north wind transforms into a hot breeze.
Looking down at the spectacle from the roof of the main shrine, Ebisu stroked his sea bream with satisfaction.
"Look, Father, Mother. As you can see, humans are living so robustly and with such great smiles."
That dark Sea of Chaos where his parents had cast him away in tears at Onogoro Island.
After thousands of years, it had transformed into a vividly colored "Sea of Light," where countless lanterns swayed and the smiles of the people burst forth.
Chapter 3: The Indomitable Spirit Woven into the Fukuzasa
The item that symbolizes Toka Ebisu is the "Fukuzasa" (Lucky Bamboo Branch).
Worshippers receive a lush, green branch of moso bamboo at the shrine, and the Fuku-musume (Maidens of Fortune) adorn it with auspicious tokens called kiccho, such as sea bream, gold coins, rice bales, and magical mallets.
Why bamboo (sasa), and not pine or cedar?
Woven deeply into this choice is Ebisu's fierce past and the philosophy required of merchants.
No matter how severe the winter cold, bamboo never sheds its lush green leaves (evergreen).
Furthermore, even when exposed to strong winds or the heavy weight of snow, it bends flexibly but never breaks, eventually growing straight up toward the heavens.
This was the very embodiment of the "Indomitable Spirit" of Hiruko (Ebisu), who, despite being tossed about by a cruel destiny, never broke and survived with a smile.
"In business, and in life, there will be stormy days. But bend flexibly like the bamboo, and endure. If you do, you will surely be able to stand straight up once again."
Worshippers hold their lush Fukuzasa high, heading home while swaying on packed trains.
Displayed on the household altars of various shops and companies, the Fukuzasa continues to grant the courage to "never break" to the modern warriors (merchants) who face the rough waves of a harsh economy for the entire year.
Chapter 4: The Gong and the Striking Board — Direct Negotiation with the God
Worshipping at an Ebisu shrine involves an extremely unique and profoundly human custom not found at other shrines.
After praying at the front of the main hall, worshippers trail around to the "back" of the shrine building.
There, a large gong (dora) or thick wooden boards (striking boards) are prepared.
Worshippers strike the gong or the boards powerfully with their bare hands—Bang! Bang! Thud! Thud!—shouting without hesitation.
"Ebessan! I came around the back! Please, make my shop profitable!"
"Ebessan, can you hear me?! I'm gonna work hard again this year, so watch over me!"
This is a custom based on the folklore that Ebisu is a "hard-of-hearing god."
Because he might not notice the delicate sound of the bells from the front, they go around to the back and pound on his back to make sure he gets the message.
Normally, making loud noises to assert oneself to a god is considered disrespectful and taboo.
However, Ebisu does not get angry in the slightest.
Rather, every time the boards ring out with a Thud! Thud!, he laughs uproariously, as if he is being tickled: "Wahahahaha!"
"I hear you, I hear you! I know you are all working with all your might, even without you telling me!"
There is no rigid wall between this god and humans.
It is an overwhelming closeness, like slapping the shoulder of a generous uncle and saying, "I'm counting on you!"
It is exactly because he laughs at the same eye level, sweats alongside them, and is just a little bit hard of hearing—possessing such human flaws (charm)—that Ebisu is called "Ebessan" and is loved so deeply and passionately.
Chapter 5: The Sea of Neon and the Eternal Rusugami
Midnight.
The clamor of Toka Ebisu settled down, and silence was about to visit the grounds of Imamiya Ebisu Shrine.
However, the city of Osaka spreading outside the shrine does not yet sleep.
Brilliantly shining neon signs, aviation obstacle lights on clusters of skyscrapers, the headlights of trucks running 24 hours a day.
Modern Japan had become a massive, clockwork forest, developed far beyond anything imaginable in the Age of Gods.
Sitting on the roof of the main hall, Ebisu looked out over the dazzling night view with satisfaction.
Beside him was his usual red sea bream.
"They have become quite magnificent. Humans have built such a rich world with their own hands."
Even as eras change, the root of humanity remains the same.
Today, too, on some street corner, there is someone bowing their head desperately trying to rebuild a shop on the verge of bankruptcy.
There are those working in the biting cold to feed their families.
Even in the modern age, which forgets myths and believes in science, they unchangedly pray, "Ebessan, I'm counting on you," looking up at their Fukuzasa to rouse themselves.
"It will be alright. For I am always watching."
Ebisu gave his fishing rod a light flick and smiled toward the night sky.
"Father (Izanagi), Mother (Izanami). The country you brought forth is conducting its business energetically today, living strongly."
Even during Kannazuki, when the gods depart for Izumo, he never moves from this place.
As the eternal "Rusugami" (Caretaker God), he picks up the sweat and tears of nameless people, transforming them into the greatest smiles and fortune.
"Well then, tomorrow brings prosperous business once again! Wahahahaha!!"
The infant who was once abandoned amidst the waves is now the strongest God of Fortune in modern Japan, enveloping a hundred million people in his smile, echoing his booming laughter across the sea of neon.
As long as "Ebessan" is here, the heat and vitality of this country will never be lost.
