Benten Collection

Benzaiten or Benten
Alternative names for the goddess of grace and beauty, the tutelary genius of the island of Enoshima, the type of ideal womanhood

The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as the Goddes Benzaiten of Enoshima in the Play Onno Aruji... c. 1773. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as the Goddes Benzaiten of Enoshima in the Play Onno Aruji Hatsuyuki no Sekai, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1773, Japan, c. 1773

Benten Gardens, 1865. Creator: Unknown
Benten Gardens, 1865

Panorama of Benten; A European Sojourn in Japan, 1875. Creator: Unknown
Panorama of Benten; A European Sojourn in Japan, 1875. From, Illustrated Travels by H.W. Bates. [Cassell, Petter, and Galpin, c1880, London]

Tori, or Holy Gate -- Avenue of the Temple at Benten; A European Sojourn in Japan, 1875. Creator: Unknown
Tori, or Holy Gate -- Avenue of the Temple at Benten; A European Sojourn in Japan, 1875. From, Illustrated Travels by H.W. Bates. [Cassell, Petter, and Galpin, c1880, London]

Benzaiten playing a biwa, 19th century. Creator: Anonymous
Benzaiten playing a biwa, 19th century. Private Collection

Benzaiten playing a biwa, ca 1400. Creator: Anonymous
Benzaiten playing a biwa, ca 1400. Private Collection

The Benten Shine on the Inner Island of Shinobazu Pond (Shinobazu Nakajima Bentensha), sec... 1852
The Benten Shine on the Inner Island of Shinobazu Pond (Shinobazu Nakajima Bentensha), section of a sheet from the series "Cutouts of Famous Places in Edo (Harimaze Koto meisho)", 1852

The Goddess Benten Holding a Biwa and a Young Man Holding a Shoulder Drum... late 1780s. Creator: Shunsho
The Goddess Benten Holding a Biwa and a Young Man Holding a Shoulder Drum, from the series "Comparing the Smiles of the Lucky Gods (Fukujin egao kurabe)", Japan, late 1780s

Crowd Visiting Benzaiten Shrine at Enoshima in Sagami Province (Soshu Enoshima... c. 1847/52. Creator: Ando Hiroshige)
Crowd Visiting Benzaiten Shrine at Enoshima in Sagami Province (Soshu Enoshima Benzaiten kaicho sankei gunshu no zu), c. 1847/52

Benzaiten with monkey and rat, 1828. Creator: Totoya Hokkei
Benzaiten with monkey and rat, 1828

Benzaiten, from the series "The Seven Gods of Good Luck in the Floating World... c
Benzaiten, from the series " The Seven Gods of Good Luck in the Floating World (Ukiyo Shichi Fukujin)", c. 1769

Shinabazu Benten Kaicho: Ceremony of Worshipping Benten at Shinabazu Temple, 18th century. Creator: Shunsho
Shinabazu Benten Kaicho: Ceremony of Worshipping Benten at Shinabazu Temple, 18th century

Benten on a rock by the sea, Edo period, (18th century?). Creator: Unknown
Benten on a rock by the sea, Edo period, (18th century?)

Benten (Sarasvati) seated on a rock, Edo period, mid 17th-early 18th century. Creator: Kano Yoboku Tsunenobu
Benten (Sarasvati) seated on a rock, Edo period, mid 17th-early 18th century. The goddess Benten playing a type of lute called a biwa

Ebisu and Benten Walking in the Snow. Creator: Utagawa Toyohiro
Ebisu and Benten Walking in the Snow

Seven Lucky Gods, Between 1775 and 1780. Artist: Kitao, Shigemasa (1739-1820)
Seven Lucky Gods, Between 1775 and 1780. Private Collection

Seven Lucky Gods, 1810s. Artist: Shunsen (Shunko II), Katsukawa (1762-1830)
Seven Lucky Gods, 1810s. Private Collection

Seven Lucky Gods, ca 1878. Artist: Anonymous
Seven Lucky Gods, ca 1878. Private Collection

Seven Lucky Gods, 1843-1845. Artist: Kuniyoshi, Utagawa (1797-1861)
Seven Lucky Gods, 1843-1845. Private Collection

Benten, or Benzaiten, the Japanese Buddhist goddess of music, eloquence and wealth, playing a biwa. Line drawing
BUDDHISM: BENTEN. Benten, or Benzaiten, the Japanese Buddhist goddess of music, eloquence and wealth, playing a biwa. Line drawing

Benten Dori, Yokohama, Japan
Benten Dori, a street in Yokohama, Japan. Date: circa 1890s

Street scene, Bentendori, Yokohama, Japan. Date: circa 1890s

Benten Goddess Love Edo period 1615-1868 18th-19th century
Artokoloro

Tamashima ittAc tenjiku tokubei tsukimoto inabanosuke, Actors in the roles of Tamashima Itto, Tenjuku Tokubei, and Tsukimoto Inabanosuke

1797-1858 1837 1844 24. 2 36. 8 Ando Hiroshige
Shinobazu no ike benten no hokora, Benten Shrine, Shinobazu Pond. Andō, Hiroshige, 1797-1858, artist, [between 1837 and 1844], 1 print : woodcut, color ; 24.2 x 36.8 cm

1797-1858 1856. 24. 1 36. 3 Ando Bentei Hiroshige
Inokashiranoike benten no yashiro, Bentei Shrine, Inokashira Pond. Andō, Hiroshige, 1797-1858, artist, 1856. 1 print : woodcut, color ; 36.3 x 24.1 cm

Shrine to Goddess Benzaiten at Ueno Park, Tokyo, Japan
Ueno Park, Tokyo, Japan - The central island houses a shrine to Benzaiten, goddess of fortune Date: 1905

Bentendori Naka-ku. Yokohama-city, Japan Date: 1930s

Benten Shrine, Shinobazu Pond. Print shows pedestrians on a bridge across Shinobazu Pond leading to the Benten shrine; pine trees along the bridge, buildings on pilings extending into the pond

Haneda ferry and Benten shrine. Print shows a man at the helm on the Haneda ferry with the Benten Shrine in the distance. Date 1858

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"Benten: The Goddess of Beauty, Music, and Knowledge" Benten, also known as Benzaiten, is a revered deity in Japanese mythology. Depicted in various artworks throughout history, she embodies beauty, music, and knowledge. One such portrayal is "Benzaiten with monkey and rat" by Totoya Hokkei in 1828. This artwork showcases her divine presence alongside two animal companions. In another piece titled "Shinabazu Benten Kaicho: Ceremony of Worshipping Benten at Shinabazu Temple, " created by Shunsho during the 18th century, we witness the ceremonial worship dedicated to this goddess at the renowned temple. It highlights the deep reverence people held for her. The Edo period witnessed several depictions seated on rocks by the sea or riverside. These artworks capture her serene aura and connection to nature's elements. Artists like Kano Yoboku Tsunenobu skillfully portrayed her gracefulness during this era. Not only does Benten hold significance in art but also appears alongside other deities like Ebisu in Utagawa Toyohiro's masterpiece "Ebisu and Benten Walking in the Snow. " This artwork beautifully illustrates their harmonious presence amidst a snowy landscape. Furthermore, artists Kitao Shigemasa (1739-1820), Shunsen Katsukawa (1762-1830), Anonymous from around 1878, and Kuniyoshi Utagawa (1797-1861) have all contributed to depicting the Seven Lucky Gods which includes Benten among them. These artworks symbolize good fortune and prosperity associated with these deities. Lastly, if you ever find yourself wandering through Yokohama's streets in Japan be sure to visit Bentendori - a street named after this beloved goddess herself. It serves as a reminder of her enduring influence on Japanese culture and spirituality.