Fable Friday: Benzaiten

Benzaiten, also known as Benten in a simplified form, is the Japanese buddhist goddess associated with many things. She is the goddess of the arts, speech, learning, wealth, and feminine beauty, often pictured with a Japanese version of a lyre, or other musical instruments. She is also considered a goddess of the sea. She reminds me of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, who also has an association with the sea. This leads me to wonder why these two things have been combined together in worship of female deities and if there are others across the world that fit this mold?