(Voice actor) Ms.Carolyn Miller

Benten, a goddess in both Buddhism and Shintoism, originally came from India. She is depicted as a goddess who brings fortune in Japan, but was originally a goddess of water. That is why the shrines and temples that worship Benten are usually associated with ponds and lakes. There used to be an altar for Benten on the island located in the middle of Shinobazu pond in Ueno, Taito ward. During the year 1624~1645, in the Kan’ei era, there was a wealthy man named Tahee who enthusiastically worshiped Benten. Tahee had been paying daily visits to Shinobazu pond to worship Benten, until he finally built a pond with an island in his own garden and made a little shrine for Benten there. Tahee prayed to Benten day after day at the little shrine he had built. And to his surprise, someone came knocking on his door one night, saying “excuse us.” Tahee looked through the side door and found about ten women, unfamiliar to him. At first Tahee was wary but then begun to think they might be Benten and her party. To his question, one women replied she was sent by Benten and asked to move into Tahee’s shrine from Shinobazu pond for a while. That made Tahee very happy, so he readily accepted her request. The woman sent by Benten told Tahee that she would be moving in on the next rainy day, and he should avoid seeing the move for anyone who saw it would surely be cursed. Tahee agreed to it also. Five days later came the rainy day. He felt people coming into his estate. But he kept the promise he made with the woman sent by Benten and stayed inside with his family. Well, what happened to the pious Tahee the next morning?