Abstract:

For many centuries, India has been one of the most influential countries to Japan. In Japan, India was traditionally called Tenjiku. “Ten” is a special term bestowed only on extremely auspicious/sacred beings such as Tengoku (Heaven) and Tenno (Emperor). The Japanese names of Indian Gods/Goddesses often end with “ten”. Taishakuten (Indra), Daikokuten (Mahākāla) and Kisshoten (Lakshmi) are just a few examples. Among them, Benzaiten (Saraswati) is the one who attains more visibility and popularity than any other. She has been enshrined and worshiped throughout the nation. Why is she so popular? Why not other deities but her? Thislecture dynamically approaches Japanese history, religion, culture and society at large through the Japanese belief of Benzaiten.

About the Speaker:

Professor Mami Yamada is Professor Extraordinary, Department of Economics, Meiji Gakuin University, Japan. She is the Director, The Japan-India Association (Japan's public interest incorporated foundation, establishedin 1903) also the Director Linguistics, Indo Japan Art Institute Trust and the Director, Japan-Indo Art Exchange Association (Japan's general incorporated association). Currently, she is a Visiting Assistant Professor, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad.