Shichifukujin Meguri: The 7 Lucky Gods Pilgrimage in Tokyo 七福神めぐり

Pour la nouvelle année, partez à la chasse aux sceaux du pèlerinage des 7 dieux de la chance !

For the new year, go hunting for the seals of the pilgrimage of the 7 lucky gods!

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Boost your luck for the new year!

How about a little luck to start the year off right? In Tokyo, the Shichifukujin Meguri pilgrimage is a tradition followed by many locals. Usually organized the first weekend of January in several districts of the capital, this small pilgrimage offers participants the opportunity to collect the seals of seven places of worship. Temples dedicated to 7 Buddhist deities, would bring luck to anyone who came to visit them!

The first pilgrimage of the lucky gods dates back to Edo (1603-1868), between the 18th and 19th centuries, when the seven gods were often represented on Ukiyo-e prints. True muses for artists, quickly won the hearts of the population. And the idea of coming to honor them to attract happiness and success in the different spheres of daily life (work, love, health, etc.) was quickly emulated in Japan.

However, the deities of the Shichifukujin Meguri are not strictly speaking "Japanese".

L'estampiste Hiroshige représente les 7 dieux sur son oeuvre ''Takarabune''

The printmaker Hiroshige represents the 7 gods on his work ''Takarabune''

Wikimedia

To attract the good graces of the deities, you will participate in the hunt for goshuin (or "seal" in Japanese) if you begin the Shichifukujin Meguri pilgrimage.

Official seals of places of worship, goshuin are made up of a stamp and calligraphy specific to each temple. They are considered true lucky amulets on paper, and they are collected today both for their protective virtues and for their tourist character.

Read also: The Goshuinchô

Les sceaux du pèlerinage sont un peu plus originaux qu'à l'accoutumée

The pilgrimage seals are a little more original than usual

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Kanei-ji est l'un des temples à visiter lors du pèlerinage

Kanei-ji is one of the temples to visit during the pilgrimage

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A pilgrimage that can pay off

Very popular with Tokyoites at the start of the year, the Yanaka pilgrimage attracts crowds.

To encourage pilgrims in their quest for happiness, the merchants association of the shopping street " Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street " then had the idea of organizing a race on the first weekend of the year.

The first 100 participants to present their go oshuinch o ( booklet in which seals are collected) at the association stand provided for this purpose will thus be offered a cup of tea and the possibility

Les sept dieux de la chance

The Seven Lucky Gods

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