cult peaked in the Edo era but declined after that owing to the dismantling of the feudal system, the abolishment of the samurai class, and the rising popularity of Benzaiten, who, in modernity, has primarily supplanted her as an object of veneration. Gallery See also List of solar deities Lunar deity Marichi Thakurani Vajravārāhī References Further reading Hall, David Avalon. (2013). The Buddhist Goddess Marishiten: A Study of the Evolution and Impact of Her Cult on the Japanese Warrior. Global International. Hall, David Avalon. (1997). "Marishiten: Buddhist Influences on Combative Behavior" in Koryu Bujutsu: Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan. Koryu Books, pp. 87–119. External links The Taoist Renaissance – Art Institute of Chicago Marichi worship in Japan Buddhist goddesses Buddhism in China Chinese goddesses Japanese goddesses Shingon Buddhism Sky and weather goddesses Solar goddesses Buddhism in the Muromachi period Tendai Twenty-Four Protective Deities