恵比寿-率直さ - Ebisu - Candor
Japanese Legends often confuse me as to the time something happened and who was responsible. For instance, Ebisu is supposed to be the son of Daikoku. Others say Okuni Nushi no Mikoto is his father. It is said that Okuni Nushi no Mikoto and Daikoku are the same. That is all right with me. Ebisu and Daikoku are both supposed to be from India. I am going to believe that he was the son of Daikoku. In fact, it is probably near the truth.
日本の伝説では、できごとが起こった時期と誰が引き起こしたかついて、私はたびたび混乱してしまいます。たとえば恵比寿は大黒の息子と言われていますが、オオクニヌシノミコトが父という人もいます。また、オオクニヌシノミコトと大黒は同じものともいわれます。私にとってはどちらでもいいのですが。恵比寿と大黒はどちらもインドから来たということです。まあ、恵比寿は大黒の息子ということにしましょう。これが多分、真実に近いでしょう。
He is the god of Candor among the Seven Lucky Gods. We often see him with a fishing pole and a sea bream under his arm. His happy face shows him to be a contented person. He is also the God of Wealth and Good Luck, so many businessmen and shopkeepers like him. He is such a cheerful god in appearance that we can´t help but feel happy when we see him.
恵比寿は、七福神の中で率直さを司る神です。釣り竿を持ち、腕の下にタイを抱えている恵比寿の姿をよく見かけますが、その幸せそうな顔付きは満ち足りている人のようです。恵比寿は冨と幸運の神でもあり、多くの実業家や商売人に敬愛されています。見るからに楽しそうな神ですから、私たちもその姿を目にするたびに幸せを感じてしまいます。
His clothes show him to be wearing the court clothing common to that period of history. While the fishing pole and the sea bream do not go well with the clothes he is wearing, Ebisu is entitled to wear this outfit by birth. His real and full name is Kotoshiro Nushi no Mikoto and he ruled wisely when his father was absent. He was a little bit of easy-going however, and on one occasion, he was wanted by his father and couldn´t be found anywhere. At last, he was located at Mihonoseki, enjoying fishing, which was his favorite pastime.
衣装は、当時の一般的な宮廷衣装を着ているようです。釣り竿とタイは衣装とは似合わないように思えますが、こういうものを身に着けることが生まれつき定められていたのでしょう。恵比寿の正式な名前はコトシロヌシノミコトで、父が不在のときには賢明な治世を行いました。しかしかなりののんき屋で、あるとき、父親が用があって捜しましたがどこにも見つかりませんでした。結局見つかったのが美保関で、好きな気晴らしの釣りを楽しんでいたのです。
People desiring success and luck visit his shrines. He and his father, Daikoku are very often seen together. They do indeed look like a father and son.
成功と幸運を求める人々は、恵比寿の社を訪れます。恵比寿と父親の大黒はたいてい一緒に祭られていて、まさに親子という感じです。