Kisshoten 観世音寺吉祥天

Official explanation

Kisshoten (Skt: Śrīmahādevī)

Kisshoten is also known as Kichijoten and is a female deity regarded as the goddess of fertility, happiness, fortune, beauty, and merit. She derives from the Hindu goddess Lakshmi. Japanese belief in Kisshoten was widespread in the Nara period (710–794.).

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This image of Kisshoten is a typical representation of the deity as a beautiful court lady of Tang dynasty China (618-–907), clad in an embroidered gown and headdress. Her left hand supports a wish-granting jewel said to fulfill wishes, grant wealth, and bestow blessings on all who suffer. This jewel distinguishes Kisshoten from the female deity Benzaiten, with whom she is often confused. Traces of the statue’s original colors are still clearly visible, which is rare for a sculpture that dates to the twelfth century. This statue is 215 centimeters high and is carved from wood.

出典: 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース（観光庁） — www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db. この英語解説文は観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Multilingual Explanation Database. This English text was produced by the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual explanation project and is shown unedited. Opening hours and services may have changed since it was written.