Ebisu (???, ???, ?, ?), also transliterated Webisu (???, see historical kana orthography) or called Hiruko (??) or Kotoshiro-nushi-no-kami (????), is the Japanese god of fishermen and luck. He is one of the Seven Gods of Fortune (???, Shichifukujin), and the only one of the seven to originate purely from Japan without any Hindu or Chinese influence.
Video Ebisu (mythology)
Origins as Hiruko
In medieval times, Ebisu's origin came to be tied together with that of Hiruko - the first child of Izanagi and Izanami, born without bones (or, in some stories, without arms and legs) due to his mother's transgression during the marriage ritual. Hiruko struggled to survive but, as he could not stand, he was cast into the sea in a boat of reeds before his third birthday. The story tells that Hiruko eventually washed ashore--possibly in Ezo (??, ancient Hokkaid?)--and was cared for by the Ainu Ebisu Saburo (???). It is however believed that Ebisu first arose as a god among fishermen and that his origin as Hiruko was a much later conception, after the worship of him had spread to merchants and others. It is also theorized that he was originally a god known as "Kotoronushi no Mikoto", son of ?kuninushi.
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Legend
The weak child overcame many hardships, grew legs (and, presumably, the rest of his skeletal structure) at the age of three, and became the god Ebisu. He remains slightly crippled and deaf, but mirthful and auspicious nonetheless (hence the title, "The laughing god"). He is often depicted wearing a tall hat--the Kazaori Eboshi (?????)--holding a rod and a large red sea bream or sea bass. Jellyfish are also associated with the god and the fugu restaurants of Japan will often incorporate Ebisu in their motif.
Cultural relevance
Ebisu's festival is celebrated on the twentieth day of the tenth month, Kannazuki (the month without gods). While the other myriad of members of the Japanese pantheon gather at The Grand Shrine of Izumo, Ebisu does not hear the summons and is thus still available for worship.
Ebisu is frequently paired with Daikokuten, another of the seven gods of Fortune, in displays of the twin patrons by small shopkeepers. In some versions of the myth they are father and son (or master and apprentice). Also, these two are often joined by Fukurokuju as the "Three Gods of Good Fortune".
As a form of animal worshiping, Ebisu was often referred to marine megafaunas such as whales and whale sharks (hence being also called as "Ebisu-Shark") that bring mass of fish and protect fishermen.
Ebisu is depicted or parodied in a wide range of media, from artwork to costumed impersonations at local festivals and in commercial logos and advertisements. One of the most widely recognized product logos is in association with Yebisu beer, which was first brewed in 1890, and is currently brewed by Sapporo Brewery.
Ebisu also lent his name to the clothing brand Evisu.
In other media
In the manga and anime Noragami, Ebisu is impersonated by Kofuku, a goddess with the form of a young, pink-haired girl and has a very eccentric, loving, and clumsy personality. She is actually the goddess of poverty, and in certain circumstances acquires a more intimidating personality, to the point of intimidating the goddess of war, Bishamon (Vai?rava?a). The real Ebisu, introduced later in the story, has the form of a well-dressed young man, and he is actually the god Hiruko.
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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