Benzaiten is the Japanese name for the the Hindu goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music, arts and science, one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune (七福神).

Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Benzaiten is often shortened to Benten, and is commonly affixed to places (geographical features) and things (shrines, stores, restaurants, hotels), though not so much people.

Chikubu Island at the northern end of Lake Biwa is home to Hôgon-ji temple, devoted to the worship of Benzaiten (弁才天).

Labels: japanese culture, religion, serpent notes, serpent of time