(Also
Benzaiten;
Myo-Onten by devout
Buddhists;
Sarasvati in
India)
According to some sources, she originally came from India, known as the
angel Sarasvati,
goddess of fortune. Early
Europeans who came to
Japan "arbitrarily assigned" Benten the role of goddess of love.
She is the only Goddess amongst the Seven Lucky Gods (
Shichifukujin). The stringed-instrument she plays is called the
biwa. Benten represents amiability, though it is said that she has a
jealous streak.