Tradition/Customs

[Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture] The God of Fortune really existed! ? The legend of Sendai Shiro!

Chimon
2017.01.24
Last updated: 2023.07.26

table of contents

1 Sendai Shiro's personality
2 Happiness brought by Shiro Sendai
- 2.1 INFORMATION

Did you know that there once existed a god of good fortune in Sendai? His name is "Sendai Shiro"

Even now, there is an endless number of stores displaying Shiro Sendai's photos in hopes of benefiting from his blessings. What kind of person was he, and what kind of happiness did he bring?

Sendai Shiro's personality

Shiro Sendai was born in the late Edo period as the fourth son of a gunsmith.

When he was 7 years old, he fell into the Hirose River and became unconscious, and his intellectual development was delayed, but because of his good nature, he was loved by everyone and would receive food from the shops he stopped by. I would like to introduce an anecdote that shows the goodness of that person.

Sendai Shiro, who wandered around the city aimlessly, seemed to love making people happy.

If a broom is placed in front of a store, it will automatically sweep the area in front of the store. Also, when they find a pail of water and a ladle, they go so far as to sprinkle the water. Then, business suddenly flourished at the shops where Shiro Sendai helped clean and sprinkle water.

Because of this, Sendai Shiro is said to have come to be admired by everyone as the ``living god of good fortune.''

It is said that he not only visited Sendai but also traveled by train to Shiroishi City, Fukushima Prefecture, and Yamagata Prefecture.

Happiness brought by Shiro Sendai

It is said that the store that Sendai Shiro visited had prosperous business. On the other hand, there is a legend that says that the store that bullied Sendai Shiro went into ruin.

Although Sendai Shiro had an honest personality, he would not go to a restaurant he did not like, no matter how generous the invitations were. It can be seen that he chose to visit shops that did serious business without any ulterior motives or ambitions. It may have been Shiro Sendai's ability to bring happiness to those who make efforts for the sake of others.

Sendai Shiro, who was loved by everyone, continues to be passed down in Sendai as a symbol of good fortune even after his death.

Mitakiyama Fudo-in Temple, located in the Chris Road shopping arcade in downtown Sendai, enshrines Sendai Shiro, even though it is a temple. Sendai Shiro may still be wandering around the shopping district so that happiness is brought equally to all the shops in the shopping district.

Sendai Shiro goods are sold at various souvenir shops in Sendai. Among them, bromides are popular souvenirs among businessmen as talismans for business prosperity. If you give it as a souvenir from Sendai, it might make people happy!