About
When walking through the town of Horikiri, one comes across a quietly standing group of stone statues in a corner of the peaceful residential area. These are the Shobu Seven Lucky Gods and the Horikiri Twelve Zodiac Gods, which are branch shrines of the Horikiri Tenso Shrine. The statues of the Seven Lucky Gods, each about three meters tall, greet visitors with gentle expressions, and behind them stand the gods of the twelve zodiac signs.
There was once a pond here called “Kenashi-ike,” which was filled in during 1923 (Taisho 12), at which time a Benten Shrine dedicated to Benzaiten was built. Later, in 1994 (Heisei 6), the Shobu Seven Lucky Gods and the Horikiri Twelve Zodiac Gods were dedicated in hopes of the prosperity of the region. The Seven Lucky Gods—Ebisu, Daikokuten, Bishamonten, Benzaiten, Fukurokuju, Juroujin, and Hoteison—are each believed to bring good fortune and virtue. The Twelve Zodiac Gods are personifications of the twelve animals of the zodiac, from Rat to Boar, and feature a unique aesthetic that fuses Eastern and Western cultures.
These stone statues are the crystallization of the local people’s faith and artistic sensibility, leaving a deep impression on visitors. Blending into the quiet streetscape of Horikiri, these deities help one forget the bustle of daily life and bring peace of mind. Nearby is the Horikiri Iris Garden, where beautiful irises bloom in early summer. Visiting this place, joining your hands in prayer to the Seven Lucky Gods and the Twelve Zodiac Gods, and admiring the irises is truly a luxury for the soul.