Today, I write about “The man called the God of Fortune “.
Sendai is the greatest city in the Tohoku district in Japan.
In Sendai, there are many shops displaying an old photograph.
The man with a smiling face is in this photograph.
He is called “Sendai Shiro”.
His real name is Haga Shiro.
Approximately 1855, he is born as a rich gun craftsman’s child.
He was a bright child.
At the age of 7, he drowned in the river, and was on the brink of death for a week, his life was saved.
Because of that, He became a person with intellectual disabilities.
He wander around town freely.
If the broom is put in front of the store, he cleans up freely.
If the pail and ladle are put in front of the store, he water the street freely.
In due course, his rumour gets abroad.
“The store which he cleaned prospers.”
He called the “God of fortune “.
He did not approach a store with secret intention.
He distinguished intuitively.
He was pure and did the smiling face.
His rumor reached far and wide.
He went to the 80km away town on train at free.
He is said to have died at the age of 47.
But nothing clear is known.
The 1910s, photo studio in Sendai sell his picture postcard as “God of fortune and Sendai Shiro.”
Even now, his goods are popular.
I also have his mobile phone charm.
Auction (Yahoo Japan Auction) of Sendai Shiro.
Japanese Antique Auction Navigator