List of Japanese deities
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This is a list of divinities native to Japanese beliefs and religious traditions. Many of these are from Shinto, while others were imported via Buddhism or Taoism and were "integrated" into Japanese mythology and folklore.
Kotoamatsukami
- Amenominakanushi(天之御中主神) – Central Master
- Takamimusubi (高御産巣日神) – High Creator
- Kamimusubi (神産巣日神) – Divine Creator
- Umashi'ashikabihikoji(宇摩志阿斯訶備比古遅神) – Energy/Chaos
- Amenotokotachi (天之常立神) – Heaven
Major kami
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- Amaterasu-Ōmikami (天照大神), she is the goddess of the sun as well as the purported ancestress of the Imperial Household of Japan. Her name means "Shines from Heaven" or "the great kami who shine Heaven". For many reasons, one among them being her ties to the Imperial family, she is often considered (though not officially) to be the "primary god" of Shinto.[1][2]
- Ame-no-Uzume (天宇受売命 or 天鈿女命) Commonly called Uzume, she is the goddess of dawn and revelry in Shinto.[3]
- oniwith a bag slung over his back.
- dove.
- Dakiniten.[4]
- Ninigi-no-Mikoto (瓊瓊杵尊) Commonly called Ninigi, he was the grandson of Amaterasu. His great-grandson was Kan'yamato Iwarebiko, later known as Emperor Jimmu, the first emperor of Japan.
- Nihongi, Ōmononushi was considered an alternate name for Ōkuninushi. But, it appears that the two were separate kami.[5]
- Ōkuninushi (大国主) A god of nation-building, farming, business, and medicine.
- Omoikane(思兼) The deity of wisdom and intelligence, who is always called upon to "ponder" and give good counsel in the deliberations of the heavenly deities.
- Raijin (雷神) is the god of thunder and lightning and is often paired with Fūjin. As with the latter, Raijin is usually depicted as an oni.
- Ryūjin (龍神) Some traditions consider him and Ōwatatsumi as the same god. He is a dragon, as well as god of the sea.[6]
- Suijin (水神) The god of water.
- Kusanagi.[7]
- Takemikazuchi, (建御雷/武甕槌) known as a god of thunder and the god of swords.
- Takeminakata, (建御名方) god of wind, water and agriculture, as well as a patron of hunting and warfare.
- Toyotama-hime (豊玉姫) was the daughter of Ryūjin and the grandmother of Emperor Jimmu. It is said that after she gave birth to her son, she turned into a dragon and disappeared.
- Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto (月読命 or 月夜見尊) is the god of the moon. He killed Ukemochi, out of disgust and anger in the way she had prepared a meal. This caused Amaterasu never to face him again, causing the sun and moon to be in different parts of the sky.
- Yatagarasu (八咫烏) is an incarnation of the sun and the guide of Emperor Jimmu.
Kamiyonanayo
- Izanagi: (伊邪那岐神) was a creation deity; he makes up the seventh generation of the Kamiyonanayo, along with his wife and sister, Izanami.[8]
Izanagi and Izanami on the Floating Bridge of Heaven (by William George Aston) - Izanami: (伊邪那美神) was a creation deity; she makes up the seventh generation of the Kamiyonanayo, along with her husband and brother, Izanagi.[8]
- Kuninotokotachi (国之常立神) was a deity classified as a hitorigami. He was, by himself, the first generation of the Kamiyonanayo. He was considered one of the first two gods, according to the Kojiki, or one of the first three gods, according to the Nihongi.[9]
- Omodaru and Ayakashikone: (淤母陀琉神 and 阿夜訶志古泥神) Sixth generation of the Kamiyonanayo.[10]
- Otonoji and Otonobe: (意富斗能地神 and 大斗乃弁神) Fifth generation of the Kamiyonanayo.
- Toyokumono: (豊雲野神) was a hitorigami, and constituted the second generation of the Kamiyonanayo.
- Tsunuguhi and Ikuguhi: (角杙神 and 活杙神) Fourth generation of the Kamiyonanayo.
- Uhijini and Suhijini: (宇比邇神 and 須比智邇神) Third generation of the Kamiyonanayo.
Minor kami
- Amatsu-Mikaboshi (天津甕星), the kami of stars who existed before the Kotoamatsukami.
- Amanozako (天逆毎)
- Amatsumara (天津麻羅) is the kami of iron-working.[11]
- Ajisukitakahikone (阿遅鉏高日子根神) is a kami of agriculture and thunder.
- Amatsuhikone, considered the third son of Amaterasu.[12]
- Ame-no-Naemasu (天苗加命), said to be son of Futsunushi.
- Ame-no-Koyane (天児屋命 or 天児屋根命) A male deity, he is considered the "First in Charge of Divine Affairs," as well as the aide to the first Emperor of Japan.[14] He is also considered to be the ancestor of the Fujiwara family.
- Ame-no-oshihomimi (天忍穂耳命)
- Ame-no-wakahiko(天若日子, 天稚彦) God of grains.
- Atago Gongen (愛宕権現)
- Ame-no-Tajikarao (アメノタジカラオ), in some traditions, is the kami that pulls Amaterasu out of Amano-Iwato.[15]
- Azumi-no-isora (阿曇磯良) is a kami of the seashore. He is considered to be the ancestor of the Azumi people.
- Amenohoakari, (天火明命) a sun and agriculture god.
- Dojin (土神), is a Japanese god of earth, land, and/or soil.[citation needed]
- Futodama (布刀玉命) is a kami who performed a divination when Amaterasu hid in a cave.[16]
- Futsunushi (経津主神) Main deity at Katori Shrine.
- Haniyasu no kami, two deities born from Izanami's feces.[17]
- Hoderi (火照命) was a deity of the bounty of the sea and enchanted fisherman.
- Hoori (火折尊)
- Isetsuhiko (伊勢都彦命), is a god of the wind.
- Ishikori-dome no Mikoto (石凝姥命), the god of metalworking.
- Kaya-no-hime, the goddess of vegetation, grass and fields.
- Kawaya no Kami, kami of the toilet.[18]
- Kawa-no-Kami a god of rivers.[19]
- Kagu-tsuchi (カグツチ), the kami of fire.[20]
- Kanayago-kami/Kanayako-kami (金屋子神), a Kami of metal and metal-working, who, as believed by blacksmiths, lives mainly in Chugoku Region. Similar to Inari, Kanayago can be, either, male or female.
- Kisshōten (吉祥天), goddess of good fortune;[21] also known as Kichijōten, Kisshoutennyo (吉祥天女), and as Kudokuten (功徳天), Kisshōten is the Shinto adaption, via Buddhism, from the Hindu goddess, Lakshmi.
- Konjin (金神)
- Kotoshironushi (事代主神)
- Kuebiko (久延毘古), the god of knowledge and agriculture, represented in Japanese mythology as a scarecrow who cannot walk but has comprehensive awareness.
- Kuraokami (闇龗) is a legendary Japanese dragon and Shinto deity of rain and snow.
- Kushinadahime
- Kukurihime no Kami (菊理媛神), a goddess enshrined at Shirayama Hime Shrine.
- Kuzuryū, minor water deity.[21]
- Kōjin (三宝荒神), is the god of fire, the hearth, and the kitchen.
- Kajin (火神), is a god of fire.[citation needed]
- Kukunochi, believed to be the ancestor of trees.[22]
- Mitsuhanome, water kami.[23]
- Moreya (洩矢神)
- Nakisawame, kami born from Izanagi's tear after his wife's death.[24]
- Nesaku, a star god.[21]
- Nigihayahi-no-mikoto (饒速日尊)
- Oshirasama (おしら様)
- Shinatsuhiko, a kami of wind.[25]
- Sukuna-Biko-Na (少名毘古那) A small deity of medicine and rain, who created and solidified the land with Ōkuninushi.
- Sumiyoshi sanjin, the gods of the sea and sailing.
- Sarutahiko Ōkami (猿田毘古神), a kami of the Earth that guided Ninigi to the Japanese islands.
- .
- Tajimamori (田道間守), god who obtained the tokijiku no kagu no mi in Tokoyo-no-kuni, and hailed as "god of wagashi" (sweets, confections).
- Tamanoya-no-Mikoto, a kami believed to be the creator of Yasakani no Magatama.[26]
- Tamayori-hime, mother of Emperor Jimmu.[27]
- Takitsuhiko a kami believed to bring forth rain.[28]
- Tatsuta-hime and Tatsuta-hiko, pair of wind kami who bring forth autumn.[29]
- Ta-no-Kami (田の神), is a kami who is believed to observe the harvest of rice plants or to bring a good harvest, by Japanese farmers.
- Toyouke-Ōmikami, goddess of food. She is also the daughter of Wakumusubi.[30]
- Ugajin, a harvest and fertility kami represented with the body of a snake and head of a man or woman. They may be derived from Ukanomitama.
- Ugayafukiaezu, the father of Japan's first emperor.[31]
- Ukanomitama, a kami associated with food and agriculture.[32]
- Ukemochi (保食神), is considered a goddess of food. After she vomited, she was killed by a disgusted Tsukuyomi or Susanoo.[33]
- Ryujin.[6]
- Wakumusubi, a kami of agriculture.
- Wakahiru-me, a kami of the rising sun,[34] considered the daughter or younger sister of Amaterasu.[35]
Yama-no-Kami
- Konohanasakuya-hime (木花之開耶姫), the wife of Ninigi and daughter of Ōyamatsumi, and great-grandmother of Jimmu. She is also known as the goddess of Mount Fuji.[36]
- Ōyamatsumi (大山積神), an elder brother of Amaterasu, and an important god of mountains. Also, the father of Konohanasakuya-hime.
- Omonoimi no Kami ( 大物忌神), god of Mount Chōkai, worshipped at Chōkaisan Ōmonoimi Shrine, identified with Toyouke-hime
People worshipped as kami
This section includes historical people worshipped as kami.
- Shōtoku Taishi was sometimes worshipped by Shintoists in Prince's Hall (太子堂 Taishido) as the Kami of building trade and easy birth, like in the Hokai-ji of Kamakura.
- Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康) enshrined at Nikkō Tōshō-gū and similar shrines.
- Toyotomi Hideyoshi (豊臣秀吉) enshrined at Toyokuni-jinja.
- Tenjin (天神) The god of scholarship, he is the deified Sugawara no Michizane. Subsequent disasters in Heiankyo were attributed to his angered spirit.[37]
- Kenkun-jinja.
- Emperor Jimmu (神武天皇) the first emperor. Enshrined at Kashihara Shrine.
- Emperor Meiji (明治天皇), and Empress Shōken (昭憲皇太后). Enshrined at Meiji Shrine.
All Emperors and Empresses of Japan are technically worshipped because of their descent from Amaterasu Ōmikami, but there are many esteemed and highly revered ones who are not enshrined.
Buddhism
- Aizen Myō-ō (愛染明王), a Wisdom Kingknown to transform earthly desires (love/lust) into spiritual awakening.
- Five Dhyani Buddhas.
- Shaolin Kung Fu. One legend reports that after years of facing a wall in meditation, Bodhidharma's legs and arms fall off due to atrophy. Daruma dollswere created in honor of this legend.
- Fudō Myōō (不動明王), a fierce and wrathful Wisdom Kingwho protects all by burning away impediments and defilements, and aiding them towards enlightenment.
- Idaten (韋駄天), guardian of Buddhist monasteries and monks.
- Jizō (地蔵), a Bodhisattvaknown as the protector of the vulnerable, especially children, travelers, and expectant mothers. He is also regarded as the patron deity of deceased children and aborted fetuses and the savior of hell-beings. His statues are a common sight, especially by roadsides and in graveyards.
- Kangiten, god (deva) of bliss.
- Kannon (観音), a Bodhisattvaassociated with compassion. Commonly known in English as the "Goddess of Mercy."
- known for healing and medicine.
Seven Lucky Gods
Yoshitoshi
)The Seven Lucky Gods (七福神, Shichi Fukujin) are:
- Benzaiten (弁才天 or 弁財天) Also known as Benten or Benzaitennyo, she is the goddess of everything that flows: words (and knowledge, by extension), speech, eloquence, and music. Said to be the third daughter of the dragon-king of Munetsuchi, over the course of years, she has gone from being a protective deity of Japan to one who bestows good fortune upon the state and its people. She was derived from Saraswati, the equivalent Hindu goddess.[38]
- Mount Sumeru, the small pagoda he carries symbolizes the divine treasure house that he both guards and gives away its contents. Bishamonten is the Japanese equivalent of the Indian Kubera and the Buddhist Vaishravana.[39][40]
- Mahākāla, the buddhist version of the Hindu deity Shiva.
- restaurants of Japan will often incorporate Yebisu in their motif.
- Fukurokuju (福禄寿) Often confused with Jurōjin, he is the god of wisdom and longevity and said to be an incarnation of the Southern Polestar. He is a star god accompanied by a crane and a turtle, which are considered to be symbols of longevity, and also sometimes accompanied by a black deer. The sacred book tied to his staff is said to contain the lifespan of every person on Earth.
- Chan monk, Hotei has become a deity of contentmentand abundance.
- Jurōjin (寿老人) Also known as Gama, he represents longevity. He is often seen with a fan and a staff and accompanied by a black deer.
The goddess
Jurōjin or Fukurokuju.[42] She embodies happiness, fertility and beauty. Daikoku sometimes manifests as a female known as Daikokunyo (大黒女) or Daikokutennyo (大黒天女).[43] When Kisshoutennyo is counted among the seven Fukujin[42] and Daikoku is regarded in feminine form,[43] all three of the Hindu Tridevi
goddesses are represented in the Fukujin.
See also
- Binbōgami
- Hitorigami
- Kamiumi
- Kunado-no-Kami
- Mishaguji
- Munakata Taisha
- Shinigami
- Yakusanoikazuchi: thunder deities born from Izanami's body
- Zhong Kui
- Zuijin
- Family tree of Japanese deities
- Glossary of Shinto
- List of legendary creatures from Japan
References
- ISBN 978-1-135-96397-2.
- ^ "Amaterasu". Mythopedia. Retrieved 2020-10-13.
- ^ "Ame-no-Uzume". Mythopedia. Retrieved 2020-10-13.
- ^ "Japanese Gods". Mythopedia. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ^ "Kami in Classic Texts: Ōmononushi". Encyclopedia of Shinto. Archived from the original on Oct 25, 2020. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ^ a b Cartwright, Mark (28 June 2017). "Ryujin". World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ^ "Susanoo | Description & Mythology". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-60520-145-0.
- ISBN 978-1-60520-145-0.
- ^ "Kami in Classic Texts: Omodaru, Ayakashikone". Encyclopedia of Shinto. Archived from the original on Jan 22, 2021. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
- ^ "Kami in Classic Texts: Amatsumara". Encyclopedia of Shinto. Retrieved 2020-11-08.
- ISBN 978-1-136-90376-2.
- ^ Mori Mizue (April 21, 2005). "Kami in Classic Texts: Amenohohi". Encyclopedia of Shinto. Archived from the original on Sep 22, 2020. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
- ^ Mori Mizue (April 21, 2005). "Amenokoyane". Encyclopedia of Shinto. Archived from the original on Oct 7, 2018.
- ^ Kadoya Atsushi (2005). "Kami in Classic Texts: Tajikarao". Encyclopedia of Shinto. Archived from the original on Jun 4, 2012. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ^ "Kami in Classic Texts: Futodama". Encyclopedia of Shinto. Retrieved 2020-11-07.
- ^ "Shinto Portal - IJCC, Kokugakuin University".
- ISBN 978-1-135-79739-3.
- ^ "Kami in Classic Texts: Kawanokami". Encyclopedia of Shinto. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ^ "Kami in Classic Texts: Kagutsuchi". Encyclopedia of Shinto. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
- ^ a b c Holiday, Frederick (2021-07-09). World Mythology Lite. Frederick Holiday. p. 158.
- ^ "Kukunochi". A History of Japan. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ^ "Kami in Classic Texts: Mitsuhanome". Encyclopedia of Shinto. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
- ^ "Kami in Classic Texts: Nakisawame". Encyclopedia of Shinto. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ^ "Kami in Classic Texts: Shinatsuhiko". Encyclopedia of Shinto.
- ^ "Akihito and Japan's Imperial Treasures that make a man an emperor". BBC News. 2019-04-27. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
- ^ "Kami in Classic Texts: Tamayorihime". Encyclopedia of Shinto. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ISBN 978-1-4381-1679-2.
- ISBN 978-1-4381-2802-3.
- ^ "Toyo'uke – Goddess of Food worshiped at Ise". 國學院大學. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
- ISBN 978-0-8108-7372-8.
- ISBN 978-1-4381-2802-3.
- ISBN 978-1-135-96390-3.
- ISBN 978-1-4381-2802-3.
- ^ "Kami in Classic Texts: Wakahirume". Eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
- ^ "Kami in Classic Texts: Konohanasakuyahime". Encyclopedia of Shinto. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ^ "Sugawara Michizane | Japanese scholar and statesman". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
- ^ Catherine Ludvik (2001), From Sarasvati to Benzaiten, Ph.D. Thesis, University of Toronto, National Library of Canada; PDF Download
- ^ "Bishamon | Japanese god". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
- ^ "lokapala | Definition & Facts". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
- ^ "Kisshōten (Kichijōten)". Retrieved 14 December 2015.
- ^ a b "Butsuzōzui (Illustrated Compendium of Buddhist Images)" (digital photos) (in Japanese). Ehime University Library. 1796. p. (077.jpg).
- ^ a b "Butsuzōzui (Illustrated Compendium of Buddhist Images)" (digital photos) (in Japanese). Ehime University Library. 1796. p. (059.jpg).
External links
Media related to Japanese deities at Wikimedia Commons
| Mythic texts |   | |
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| Japanese creation myth | ||
| Takamagahara mythology | ||
| Izumo mythology | ||
| Hyūga mythology | ||
| Human age | ||
| Mythological locations | ||
| Mythological weapons | ||
| Major Buddhist figures |
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| Seven Lucky Gods | ||
| Legendary creatures | ||
| Other | ||
