Despite the similarities, while Ganesha is revered as a supreme being and seen in a positive light, the Japanese deity is considered a negative figure.
With Ganesh Chaturthi coming to a close and the city feeling the absence of Lord Ganesha’s divine presence (and those delicious modaks!), the internet has brought an intriguing nugget of information our way. Did you know that the Japanese worship a deity similar to Ganesha? Indianexpress.com reached out to an expert to learn more about Kangiten, a deity who bears a striking resemblance to His Hindu counterpart.

Pranav Ambardekar, assistant professor of philosophy and critical thinking at FLAME University, Pune, said that while Kangiten and Lord Ganesha share some similarities, they also differ in many ways.

“In terms of iconography, both deities are depicted as half-human and half-elephant. They are also known by the name Vinayak, meaning ‘remover of obstacles’,” he said.

So, how are they different?
“While Hindu Ganesha’s standard form is characterised by a curved trunk, potbelly, single tooth and a hand holding a modak, Kangiten can either be found in two forms: one as a dual-bodied figure, with two halves embracing each other, and another with either two or four arms holding items like a trident, axe, or even a radish,” the professor explained. He also shared that scholars believe the two halves to be male and female, locked in an embrace.

In India, Ganesha is revered as a supreme being and seen in a positive light, but the Japanese deity is considered a negative figure. “Kangiten, or even Buddhist Ganesha found in Japanese texts, is somewhat a demon, and is considered to be a bringer of obstacles. People who worship Kangiten have to perform a ritual to appease the deity, and turn him from an enemy to a friend,” Ambardekar said.

In Japan, people have mixed feelings toward Kangiten. “If you visit Japanese temples, you won’t find statues of Kangiten on display. He is considered too sacred to be seen and is often hidden from public view,” Ambardekar said.

In conversation with The Indian Express: Prof. Pranav Ambardekar, Faculty of Philosophy and Critical Thinking, FLAME University.