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DAIKOKU or DAIKOKU-TEN
God of Wealth and Farmers
Origin India. Sanskrit Mahakala
Shinto Association = Okuninushi no Mikoto
Member of the TENBU
One of Japan's Seven Lucky Gods
  
  
DAIKOKU MANTRA
Male. The god of wealth and farmers, Daikoku usually wears a hood and stands on bales of rice, carrying a large sack of treasure slung over his shoulder and holding a small magic mallet. There are other forms, including a female form, but in Japan, the god is invariably shown standing on two bales of rice holding his magic mallet and treasure sack. Daikoku is also the deity of the kitchen and provider of food. Of Indian origin, his imagery in Japan was identified with the mythic Shinto figure Okuninushi no Mikoto. The lucky mallet in his right hand (uchide nokozuchi) is similar to the Greek cornucopia. This horn of plenty can magically produce anything desired when struck. Some Japanese say that coins fall out when he shakes his mallet. Others say that believers are granted their desires by tapping a symbolic mallet on the ground three times and making a wish. Daikoku is often depicted together with Ebisu (see below), as the two are said to be father and son. The symbol of the Precious Buddhist Jewel, sometimes found on Daikoku's mallet or belt, represents the themes of wealth and unfolding possibility; said to give its holder the ability to see all things (like a crystal ball). The precious jewel is one of the seven symbols of royal power.
Daikoku is also referred to as "the god of success in worldly endeavors." At many temples, statues of Daikoku appear worn near the head and shoulders, as passersbys believe that rubbing their hands on this god will somehow bring them luck (i.e., that good luck will rub off on them). To read more about Daikoku,
click here.
ANIMAL ASSOCIATIONS
Rats (found where there is plenty of food). Please see bottom of page for curious Japanese legend about the rat and its connections with Daikoku.
SANSKRIT SEED SOUND -- MA
  
Left Photo: Ebisu and Daikoku (bizen)
Middle Photo: Daikoku and Ebisu (bizen)
Right Photo: L to R Daikoku, Ebisu, and Hotei (bizen)
Daikoku at left, Ebisu at right (bizen)
Thanks to Robert Yellin,
the owner of the above Bizen pieces
 
Above: Two bizen sets taken from Yahoo auction photos
Left: Daikoko at left, Ebisu at right
Right: Ebisu at left, Daikoku at right
 
Above: Wooden statue of Daikoku (c. 1412)
Hase Dera Temple, Kamakura
Daikoku at Iwaki Jinja
Ivory Daikoku in collection of
Andres Bernhard AKA Rapick - Italy
More About the Rat
Quoted from Myths and Legends of Japan, by F. Hadland Davis
First published 1913 by George G. Harrap & Company, London
The rat is frequently portrayed either in the bale of rice with its head peeping out, or in it, or playing with the mallet, and sometimes a large number of rats are shown. According to a certain old legend, the Buddhist Gods grew jealous of Daikoku. They consulted together, and finally decided that they would get rid of the too popular Daikoku, to whom the Japanese offered prayers and incense. Emma-O, the Lord of the Dead, promised to send his most cunning and clever oni, Shiro, who, he said, would have no difficulty in conquering the God of Wealth. Shiro, guided by a sparrow, went to Daikoku's castle, but though he hunted high and low he could not find its owner. Finally, Shiro discovered a large storehouse, in which he saw the God of Wealth seated. Daikoku called his Rat and bade him find out who it was who dared to disturb him. When the Rat saw Shiro he ran into the garden and brought back a branch of holly, with which he drove the oni away, and Daikoku remains to this day one of the most popular of the Japanese Gods. This incident is said to be the origin of the New Year's Eve charm, consisting of a holly leaf and a skewer, or a sprig of holly fixed in the lintel of the door of a house to prevent the return of the oni. (Editor's Note: Oni means "demon" or "devil" in Japanese)
The Six Daikoku (also from the Hadland Davis book)
- Makura Daikoku, ordinary form with mallet on lotus leaf
- Ojikara Daikoku, with sword and vajra
- Bika Daikoku, a priest, with mallet in right hand, vajra-hilted sword in left
- Yasha Daikoku, with Wheel of the Law in his right hand
- Shinda Daikoku, a boy seated with a crystal in his left hand
- Mahakara Daikoku, seated femaile, with small bale of rice on her head
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