Hello, I am Yoshi from NILS Japanese language school. I would like to introduce something particular to Japan.
There are the Seven Gods of Good Fortune (shichifukujin 七福神) which are believed to arrive on a ship full of treasures and bring people good fortune. They are modeled after Indian gods, with the features of Chinese and Japanese gods. One of them, called Daikokuten 大黒天, who stands on bags of rice with a lucky hammer and a big sack in his hands, is the god of agriculture. Ebisu 恵比寿, who holds a fishing rod, is the god o fishing and commerce. Shichifukujin were first worshipped in the Muromachi period and became popular in the Edo period. Even today, during the New Year’s season, many people visit shrines and temples which house shichifukujin statues.

September 6th News, from NILS Japanese language school.