150 BULLETIN 148, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



197. Maha Upakut. — Wooden figure, lacquered and guilt. Repre- 

 sented with the hands pressed on the prominent abdomen, wearing a 

 flat red cap in form of an open lotus and red garment thrown on the 

 left shoulder. The Laos described the Maha Upakut as a son of 

 Buddha, who was born in the water of the river god. His skin is 

 rough in imitation of a fish's scales. They believe that touching his 

 figure after it has been dedicated to the temple will cure pains of the 

 stomach. Height, 10 inches. Laos, Further India. (Plate 49 (right) , 

 Cat. No. 217596 U.S.N.M.) 



198-203. Maha Upahut. — Wood, lacquered and gilt. Similar to 

 the preceding No. 197. Height, 2^-6)^ inches. Laos, Further 

 India. (Cat. Nos. 217597-217601, U.S.N.M.) 



204. Daikoku. — Wood, lacquered and gilt. Daikoku is one of 

 the Japanese seven gods of good fortune (ShicM-fuku-jin) which are 

 derived from Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Shintoism, and 

 form a sort of popular appendage to Japanese Buddhism. They 

 are, in the order of their popularity, as follows : 



1. Daikoku (the "great black one") is Mahakala of the Hindus. 

 But while the Hindu god is one of the most destructive and awe- 

 inspiring deities of the Hindu pantheon, his Japanese counterpart is 

 the smiling god of wealth. He is usually represented as a sturdy 

 figure habited in the ancient dress of a well-to-do Chinese burgher,, 

 with a flat cap. In his right hand he holds the magic ham.mer, a 

 single stroke of which gives M^ealth, while his left hand grasps the 

 mouth of a sack that is slung across his shoulder. He stands or sits 

 upon a well-filled pair of rice bales. The mallet being the attribute 

 of miners, and the rice the product of agriculture, are emblematic of 

 the two principal sources of the wealth of ancient Japan. Some- 

 times he also carries a turnip. His picture is frequently found at 

 the entrance door to the house. 



2. Ehisu (the "stranger") is, notwithstanding his name, an indige- 

 nous product of Japan. He was the younger brother of the Shinto 

 sun goddess Amaterasu (from whom the emperors of Japan derived 

 their descent). He somehow incurred the displeasure of his family 

 and was expelled to the western sea, where he spent his remaining 

 fife as a fisherman. He is, accordingly, represented with a fishing 

 rod in his right hand and a fish (Pagrus cardinalis or major, which is 

 considered by the Japanese the most delicious provision on the table.) 

 He is the patron of merchants and tradesmen and is usually in the 

 company of Daikoku, the patron of the farmers. 



3. Benzaiten (popularly abbreviated to Benten) is identified with 

 Sarasvati, the spouse of Brahma, the Hindu goddess of eloquence and 

 learning, and her character has remained the same in Japan. She is 

 also the popular goddess of love and beauty and everything that 

 adorns life. In Hindu mythology she is depicted as riding on a pea- 



