Benzaiten is the Japanese goddess of everything that flows- art, beauty, learning, poetry and music. She is also the goddess of the sea and protector of children. Legend has it that she came to earth and offered to marry a legendary dragon with the understanding that he would henceforth stop his habit of eating children. She is one of the 7 lucky Japanese deities (and the only female). She is connected with water and her shrines in Japan are often located near lakes and ponds. She is depicted with 8 arms and hands and brings luck and good fortune, persuasion and seduction to those who are endeared to her. I dedicated this piece to her. The 8 hand-carved hands were created by an old, dear friend and another amazing woman, Dorothy Zaconick, a marionette designer and performer. She and Benzaiten would have loved sharing time together.