Japanese Mythology: Gods of Luck and Chance Rituals

In the Land of the Rising Sun, the relationship with chance and luck takes on a unique dimension in the world. Unlike other cultures where destiny may be perceived as fate, the Japanese have developed a pragmatic and ritualistic approach to chance. Shintoism — Japan's indigenous religion — and Buddhism — imported from China and Korea — have intertwined to create a belief system where luck deities are invoked daily, where amulets protect and attract prosperity, and where rituals allow one to probe the future.

This article takes you on a journey to discover Japanese deities of luck and happiness, ritual practices that allow one to court chance, and symbolic objects that populate Japanese shrines and homes. You will discover why, in Japan, chance is not endured but actively sought and provoked.

Shintoism (神道, shintō, "the way of the gods") is Japan's ancestral religion. It venerates kami — spirits or deities that inhabit nature, mountains, rivers, trees, but also abstract concepts and ancestors. The Shinto pantheon is vast and complex, but certain major deities embody the fundamental forces of the universe.

Amaterasu (天照), the sun goddess, is one of the most important deities in Shintoism. She is considered the ancestor of the Japanese imperial family and embodies light, life, and prosperity. Her brother Susanoo (須佐之男), the god of storms and the sea, represents the destructive but also regenerative forces of nature. Tsukuyomi (月読), the moon god, completes this cosmic triad by embodying night and lunar cycles.

These original Shinto deities lay the foundation for a worldview where natural and divine forces are intimately linked. But it is with the arrival of Buddhism and the emergence of the Shichi Fukujin — the Seven Gods of Happiness — that Japanese culture truly develops its unique relationship with luck and prosperity.

Benzaiten (弁才天 or 弁財天) is the only goddess in the Shichi Fukujin group. Of Indian origin (she is an adaptation of the Hindu goddess Sarasvati), Benzaiten is the goddess of arts, music, eloquence, wisdom, and water. She is often depicted playing the biwa (a Japanese stringed instrument) and surrounded by water — a symbol of fluidity, creativity, and prosperity.

Benzaiten is particularly venerated by artists, musicians, writers, and all those who seek to develop their creative talents. She embodies the idea that luck and prosperity can come from artistic expression and creativity. Shrines dedicated to Benzaiten are often located near water — lakes, rivers, or springs — because water is her sacred element and symbolizes the fluidity of luck and fortune.

The other members of the Shichi Fukujin include Hotei (the god of joy and abundance), Fukurokuju (the god of longevity and wisdom), Jurojin (the god of longevity), and Bishamonten (the god of war and protection). Together, these seven deities form a complete set of protectors covering all aspects of life: wealth, health, longevity, creativity, protection, and happiness.

In Japan, chance is not only accepted — it is actively sought and provoked through rituals and symbolic objects. Two emblematic practices illustrate this unique approach: Omikuji and the Maneki-neko.

Omikuji: fortune-telling by lot

Omikuji (おみくじ) are paper strips drawn at random in Shinto shrines or Japanese Buddhist temples. These written divinations allow one to know their level of luck or misfortune for the coming period. The process is simple but full of meaning: after making an offering, the visitor shakes a wooden box containing numbered sticks, draws one at random, then retrieves the strip corresponding to that number.

Each Omikuji contains a prediction ranging from daikichi (大吉, great blessing) to daikyo (大凶, great curse), including kichi (吉, blessing), shokichi (小吉, small blessing), kyo (凶, curse), and shokyo (小凶, small curse). The prediction covers different aspects of life: health, love, travel, business, studies, etc.

If the Omikuji is favorable, the visitor keeps it carefully as a talisman. If the prediction is unfavorable, tradition dictates that it be tied to a tree or special structure in the shrine, to leave misfortune behind and allow the gods to transform it into luck. This practice perfectly illustrates the Japanese approach to chance: even if the draw is unfavorable, there is a ritual way to transform it or protect oneself from it.

Maneki-neko: the cat that invites luck

The Maneki-neko (招き猫, "inviting cat") is one of Japan's most famous amulets. This cat statuette with a raised paw is omnipresent in shops, restaurants, and Japanese homes. The Maneki-neko is supposed to attract luck, customers, and prosperity.

Legend has it that a cat saved a samurai by inviting him to take refuge under a tree just before lightning struck the place where he was standing. In gratitude, the samurai built a temple in honor of the cat, and the Maneki-neko became a symbol of protection and prosperity.

Every detail of the Maneki-neko has meaning: the right paw raised attracts luck and customers, the left paw raised attracts money, both paws raised bring maximum protection. Color also matters: white brings happiness, gold brings wealth, black protects from evil, pink favors love, red brings health. The Maneki-neko perfectly illustrates the idea that, in Japanese culture, one can actively provoke luck by placing the right objects in the right places.