This section includes historical people worshipped as kami. As for the cheerful countenance of Jizo, the good-natured Japanese god is often depicted as a simple monk who forgoes any form of ostentatious ornaments and regalia, befitting an important Japanese god. Considered as one of the most revered kami in the Shinto pantheon, Inari, often depicted in dual-gender (sometimes male and sometimes female), is the god of rice (or rice field), thereby alluding the association with prosperity, agriculture, and abundance of produce. Pertaining to the latter attribute, Yebisu is often considered as one of the primary deities of the Seven Gods of Fortune (Shichifukujin), whose narrative is influenced by local folklores as opposed to foreign influence. We Japanese can’t understand religious people like Christians living in America or Muslims. Simply put, Kagutsuchi was regarded as the forebearer of various distant potent and powerful deities who even brought forth the creation of iron and weapons in Japan (possibly mirroring the foreign influence in different armaments of Japan). We find shrines dedicated to wolf gods In Japan. In that regard, one of the crucial Shinto myths talks about how Amaterasu herself, as one of the Mihashira-no-uzunomiko, was birthed from the cleansing of Izanagi’s left eye (as mentioned in our first entry). The whole series revolves around various Japanese deities, one of them being, of course, Yato. Another Bodhisattva among the Japanese gods, the ever-beloved Jizo is venerated as the protector of the children, the weak, and the travelers. The Japanese wolf was considered a pure god, omniscient, a guide, e.g. Learn more in the Cambridge English-Japanese Dictionary. God of thunder. In Japan, the wolf plays an important role in myths, shrines, and legends. Izanagi and Izanami went on to create more landmasses and give birth to other divine entities, thereby giving form to the principal eight islands of Japan and over 800 kami. As for his intrinsic association with war and culture, Hachiman was said to have his avatars carry forth the legacy and influence of the burgeoning Japanese society. As for one of the popular myths, it was Hachiman who saved Japan during the Mongol invasions by unleashing a typhoon on the approaching fleet – which was later called the kamikaze (‘divine wind’). This latter aspect made her the patron goddess of creativity and performing arts, including dancing. Kami is the Japanese word for a god, deity, divinity, or spirit. In essence, Yebisu (or Hiruko), after being born without bones, was said to have been set adrift in the ocean at age three. Izanagi and Izanami were eventually born, siblings, and using a naginata decorated with jewels, named Ame-no-nuhoko("Heavenly Jeweled Spear") that was gifted to them. 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Daikoku sometimes manifests as a female known as Daikokunyo (大黒女) or Daikokutennyo (大黒天女). Other gods were born of Izanami on her deathbed. Oh my god there’s a lot of ways to say “oh my God.” Japanese and English are such different languages that translating word-for-word between them usually just results in (hilariously) unintelligible garbage.. Take for example the phrase “Oh my God!” Translating it into French is easy: “Oh mon dieu!” Same thing for German: “Oh mein Gott!” According to few myths, it was Fujin who saved Japan during the Mongol invasions by unleashing a typhoon on the approaching fleet – which was later called the kamikaze (‘divine wind’). Talking of storms and duality of character, Raijin and Fujin are considered the powerful kami of the elements of nature who can be favoring or disagreeable to the plights of mortals. To that end, in a classic example of cultural overlap, Hachiman, the kami of war, is also venerated as a bodhisattva (Japanese Buddhist deity) who acts as the steadfast guardian to numerous shrines in Japan. They presided over metal, earth, and agriculture. All Rights Reserved. Japanese mythology is as confusing and inconsistent as it is ancient and vivid. Among the Ainu, he was a creator god. Japanese Translation. Featured Image Credit: Feig Felipe Pérez (ArtStation), Home » Blog Posts » Culture » 12 Major Japanese Gods and Goddesses You Should Know About. As for his attributes, Susanoo was perceived as a temperamental, disheveled kami who is prone to chaotic mood swings – thus alluding to his power over the everchanging storms. [30] When Kisshoutennyo is counted among the seven Fukujin[29] and Daikoku is regarded in feminine form,[30] all three of the Hindu Tridevi goddesses are represented in the Fukujin. He and his wife, Izanami, were responsible for the birth of the islands of Japan and many kami, though she died in childbirth. Aizen-Myoo. Ebisu, sometimes referred to as Yebisu, is the patron deity of fishermen and tradesmen, and another of Japan’s “Seven Gods of Fortune.” He is often depicted as a plump, happy fisherman who carries a fishing rod in one hand and a red snapper in the other. To that end, even Kannon’s paradise – Fudarakusen, is regarded by many Japanese adherents to be in the southern tip of India. Amaterasu. The Japanese god of fire, Kagutsuchi (or Homusubi – ‘he who starts fire’) was another offspring of the primordial Izanagi and Izanami. Translation for 'god of military arts' in the free English-Japanese dictionary and many other Japanese translations. This resulted in the arrival of darkness over the heavens and the earth. Quite intriguingly, Kannon is also revered in Japan’s other religious denominations – in Shinto, he is the companion of Amaterasu, while in Christianity, he/she is venerated as Maria Kannon (the equivalent of Virgin Mary). Translation for 'fierce god' in the free English-Japanese dictionary and many other Japanese translations. Even more intriguing is the way the duo created the landmass,  by standing on the bridge or stairway to heaven (Ama-no-hashidate) and stirring the chaotic ocean below with their jewel-encrusted spear, thereby giving rise to the island of Onogoro. • Amatsu-Mikaboshi (天津甕星), the kami of stars who existed before the Kotoamatsukami . 神様 noun. Play with your words! The birth of the deities begins with the appearance of the first generation of gods who appeared out of the primordial oil, a trio of gods who produced the next seven generations of gods. God of fire and wisdom, god of Astrology. For example, in Shinto traditions, Inari was associated with benevolent spirits like Hettsui-no-kami (goddess of the kitchen) and Uke Mochi (goddess of food). Like most creation myths, the Shinto Japanese myth also consists of the primordial gods. The complete alphabetical list of Japanese Gods and Goddess names. She even resorted to removing her clothes, which led to amusement among the other gods who started roaring in joy and laughter. Yes. a guide for a shogun o For example, in the feminine form of Koyasu Kannon, he/she represents the aspect of child-giving, while in the form of Jibo Kannon, he/she represents the loving mother. His bag of air moves all the world’s winds, and he is a powerful force of nature alongside his brother, the thunder god Raijin. I’m Japanese. gɒd god Would you like to know how to translate god to Japanese? The child then grew through various hardships to call himself Ebisu or Yebisu, thereby becoming the patron god of fishermen, children, and most importantly wealth and fortune. Satoshi Kamiya designed an excellent Yatagarasu model using one sheet of paper. Hachiman (also called Yahata no kami) epitomizes the syncretism between Shinto and Buddhism in early medieval Japan. god translate: （多神教の）神, （特に）男神. Japanese mythology includes a vast number of gods, goddesses, and spirits. Ama-No-Minaka-Nushi. However, in spite of their apparent ingenuity, things soon fell out of favor, with their first union creating a deformed offspring – the god Hiruko (or Ebisu – discussed later in the article). Family trees coming soon! Some myths describe characters and events associated with particular places in Japan. As for depictions, in spite of his numerous adversities, Yebisu maintains his jovial mood (often called the ‘laughing god’) and wears a tall, pointed cap folded in the middle called kazaori eboshi. However, in some narratives, Hiruko was later identified with the Japanese god Yebisu (possibly by the medieval times), a deity of fishermen and luck. Unfortunately, in the arduous process of creation, Izanami died from the burning pain of giving birth to Kagutsuchi – the Japanese fire-god; and is consequently sent to the underworld (Yomi). Called Izanagi (Izanagi no Mikoto or ‘he who invites’) and Izanami (Izanami no Mikoto or ‘she who invites’), the duo of brother and sister are perceived as the divine beings who brought order to the sea of the chaos below heaven by creating the first landmass – in the form of the island of Onogoro. We have 94 individual gods listed in the Japanese pantheon of gods and spirits. Inari is the goddess of everything important in Japan including rice, tea, fertility, sake and … Suffice it to say, in Shinto religion, he becomes the focus of different appeasing rituals – with one ceremony pertaining to the Ho-shizume-no-matsuri, an imperial custom that was designed to ward off the destructive effects of Kagutsuchi for six months. If you include nicknames, official titles and honorifics, some gods have hundreds of names! The forefather of the gods, he is the first male as well as the god of creation and life. He is one of the Mihashira-no-uzunomiko, being born from washing of Izanagi’s right eye – therefore making him the brother of Amaterasu, the sun goddess. On the historical side of affairs, Amaterasu (or her equivalent deity) had always been important in the Japanese lands, with many noble families claiming lineage from the sun deity. Aji-Suki-Taka-Hi-Kone. She then started making cheery cries and it followed up by gleeful dancing atop a platform. God Izanagi and Goddess Izanami were married to each other. View the Japanese pantheon. Although deity is the common interpretation of kami, some Shinto scholars argue that such a translation can cause a misunderstanding of the term. Here are the most famous Japanese deities Hachiman- god of warriors; Amaterasu-goddess of the sun and fertility who brings light to the world; Inari-god of merchants, also associated with rice; Kagutsuchi- god of fire; Izanami-creator goddess; Izanagi-creator god; Tsuki- Yomi– moon god, Amaterasu’s brother Japanese God Yaboku. But her prominence was rather enhanced after the Meiji Restoration, in accordance with tenets of Shinto state religion. In a fit of rage and revenge, his father Izanagi proceeded to lop off Kagutsuchi’s head – and the spilled blood led to the creation of even more kami, including martial thunder gods, mountain gods, and even a dragon god. Japan's creation narrative can be divided into the birth of the deities (Kamiumi) and the birth of the land (Kuniumi). [29] She embodies happiness, fertility and beauty. On one occasion, their challenge to each other turned bitter, with the wrathful Susanoo going on a rampage by destroying the sun goddess’s rice fields and even killing one of her attendants. Many Japanese gods have their roots in Buddhist, Korean, and Chinese traditions and stories, creating an intricate web of deities and myths in the Japanese world. Many of these are from Shinto, while others were imported via Buddhism or Taoism and "integrated" into Japanese mythology and folklore. Not related to 上 (kami 1 → kami, “ top, upper ”) or 髪 (kami, “ hair ”). Revered as the god of war, archery, culture, and even divination, the deity possibly evolved (or grew in importance) with the establishment of various Buddhist shrines in the country after circa 9th century AD. A host of angry thunder kami attached to this body chased Izanagi out of the underworld, and he just about escaped from Yomi by blocking the entrance with a huge stone. Fujin, on the other hand, is the fearsome monstrous kami of the winds, who carries his fair share of gales and gusts in a bag on his shoulders. In a poignant parcel of the Buddhist traditions, the unborn children (and small children who died before their parents) don’t have time on Earth to fulfill their karma, thus being confined to the purgatory of souls. 主 noun. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Encyclopedia of Shinto - Home : Kami in Classic Texts : Ōmononushi", "Encyclopedia of Shinto - Home : Kami in Classic Texts : Amatsumara", "Encyclopedia of Shinto - Home : Kami in Classic Texts : Tajikarao", "Encyclopedia of Shinto - Home : Kami in Classic Texts : Futodama", http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/entry.php?entryID=56, "Encyclopedia of Shinto - Home : Kami in Classic Texts : Kawanokami", "Encyclopedia of Shinto - Home : Kami in Classic Texts : Nakisawame", "Encyclopedia of Shinto - Home : Kami in Classic Texts : Tamayorihime", "Toyo'uke – Goddess of Food worshiped at Ise", "Encyclopedia of Shinto - Home : Kami in Classic Texts : Konohanasakuyahime", "Sugawara Michizane | Japanese scholar and statesman", "Butsuzōzui (Illustrated Compendium of Buddhist Images)", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Japanese_deities&oldid=994637289, Articles needing additional references from August 2013, All articles needing additional references, Articles containing Japanese-language text, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2010, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 16 December 2020, at 19:17. As we mentioned in the earlier entry, Hiruko (‘Leach Child’), the very first child of the primordial duo Izanagi and… The jovial female deity of the dawn (which sort of made her the assistant to Amaterasu, the deity of the sun), Ame-no-Uzume also espoused the spontaneity of nature. Izanami could give birth to anything. In some myths, he is born from a white copper mirror held in the right hand of Izanagi. In that regard, mythically, one of his avatars resided in Empress Jingu who invaded Korea, while another was reborn as her son Emperor Ojin (circa late 3rd century AD) who brought back Chinese and Korean scholars to his court. Interestingly enough, as opposed to direct transmission from China, the figure of Kannon is probably derived from Avalokitêśvara – an Indian deity, whose name in Sanskrit translates to the ‘Lord Who Regards All’. Interestingly enough, most narratives concur that they were directed to do so by an even earlier generation of kami (divine beings) who resided in the plain of heaven. You can learn Japanese in just 5 minutes a day with our free app! Consult Godchecker’s complete alphabetical list of Japanese god and goddess names. As for the lineage in cultural terms, the Japanese Imperial line is mythically derived from the grandson of Amaterasu – Ninigi-no-Mikoto, who was offered the rulership of Earth by his grandmother. Use our Godbrowser™ to explore the Gods of Japanese Mythology. Shinto god of the wind. JAPANESE GODS & GODDESSES. Another popular myth pertains to how Amaterasu locked herself in a cave after having a violent altercation with Susanoo, the storm god. God of the Wind Fujin. Possibly cognate with Korean 검 (geom, “ god, spirit ”). More Japanese words for god. Translations How to say god in Japanese? A lot of Japanese people go to shinto shrines, but we don’t believe in any shinto gods. In spite of this immoral trial, the child, by luck, somehow managed to come ashore to one Ebisu Saburo. Talking of Buddhist traditions and their influence on the native pantheon, Kannon serves as one of the most important Buddhist deities of Japan. Unfortunately, for the world, her radiant aura (epitomizing the effulgent sun) was hidden, thus covering the lands in darkness. Japanese and English are such different languages that translating word-for-word between them usually just results in (hilariously) unintelligible garbage. In many ways, as Queen of the kami, she espouses the grandeur, order, and purity of the rising sun, while also being the mythical ancestor of the Japanese Imperial family (thus alluding to their mythical lineage in the Japanese culture). With more than 80,000 shrines in Japan, the gods and goddesses of Japan still get a lot of attention. Here's a list of translations. However, the relationship was soon shattered when Tsukiyomi killed Uke Mochi, the goddess of the food. Amaterasu or Amaterasu Omikami (‘the glorious kami who illuminates from heaven’), also known by her honorific title Ōhirume-no-muchi-no-kami (‘the great sun of the kami’), is venerated as the goddess of the sun and the ruler of the realm of the kami – the High Celestial Plain or Takama no Hara. Seen as a terrifying dark demon in a leopard skin. A cleansing ritual followed, whereby Izanagi inadvertently created even more Japanese gods and goddesses – the Mihashira-no-uzunomiko, like Amaterasu – the sun goddess birthed from the washing of his left eye; Tsuki-yomi – the moon god birthed from the washing of his right eye, and Susanoo – the storm god birthed from his nose. The grief-stricken Izanagi followed his sister Izanami to the underworld, and he even succeeded in convincing the older generation of gods to allow her to return to the realm of the living. Inari. Most Japanese people are not interested in any religion. And it was only after a series of friendly distractions and pranks concocted by the other Japanese gods that she was convinced to come out of the cave – which once again resulted in the advent of radiant sunlight. As for the mythical narrative, Tsukiyomi, the god of the moon went on to marry his sister Amaterasu, the goddess of the sun, thereby allowing for the union of both the sun and the moon in the same sky. In terms of history, the first of these mythologies were documented in written forms by the early 8th century – thus serving as a standardized (or at least generalized) template of Shinto pantheon for most of Japan. Pertaining to the former, in the mythical narrative, Jizo had the profound duty of alleviating the suffering of the lost souls in hell and guiding them back to the western paradise of Amida (one of the principal Japanese Buddhist deities) – a plane where souls are freed from karmic rebirth. One day she created the island of Japan. Shinto god of wisdom, luck and prosperity. After the encounter, he recovered the famed sword Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi and also won the hand of the woman who he saved from the dragon. Yato is the main protagonist of the anime series Noragami. This page provides all possible translations of the word god in the Japanese language. Hachiman was also touted as the patron deity of the influential Minamoto clan (circa 11th century AD), which rather advanced their political cause and claimed lineage to the semi-legendary Ojin. Majin 魔神, where ma 魔 means malicious, demon-like, relating to magic, and jin 神 (also kami) means deity, god, divine being. Pertaining to the former, Inari was also revered as the patron deity of merchants, tradesmen, entertainers, and even swordsmiths. Later, after his failed attempt to retrieve her from … Most of the stories concern the creation of the world, the foundation of the islands of Japan, and the activities of deities, humans, animals, spirits, and magical creatures. To that end, in Shinto culture, cleansing (harai) is an important part of the ritual before entering the sacred shrines. Shortly after creation, Izanami dies during childbirth. Fujin (風神) is the Japanese god of the wind, a popular and terrifying demon. Interestingly enough, there is a hypothesis regarding how Fujin was possibly inspired by Greco-Buddhist deity Wardo (venerated along the Silk Route), who, in turn, was derived from the Greek wind god Boreas. Izanami finally gave birth to the god of fire and died of burns. In essence, Shinto, without any proclaimed founder or prescribed tenets, can be perceived as the evolution of local animalistic beliefs of Yayoi culture (300 BC – 300 AD) that were further influenced by both Buddhism and even Hinduism throughout the course of centuries. Talking of myths, Susanoo is often celebrated in the Shinto folklore as the guileful champion who defeated the evil dragon (or monstrous serpent) Yamata-no-Orochi by cutting off all its ten heads after imbibing them with alcohol. God of love, worshipped by prostitutes, landlords, singers and musicians. Japanese Buddhist god of the underworld. Find more Japanese words at wordhippo.com! 'Divine Lord of the Middle Heavens' and god of the Pole Star. Kamisama god. Thus Jizo’s task becomes even more crucial, who aids these child souls by carrying them in the sleeves of his robes. This is a list of divinities native to Japanese beliefs and religious traditions. But where does Japanese God Yaboku fit in there? Learn the word for "God" and other related vocabulary in Japanese so that you can talk about Religion with confidence. Raging with anger, Izanagi attacked his son, from whose blood such deities as the god of thunder were born. The Sun, the Moon, and the Wind. As for the history and cultural side of affairs, Kagutsuchi, as a god of fire, was unsurprisingly perceived as a (potential) agent of destruction to Japanese buildings and structures typically made of wood and other combustible materials. In response, the angry Amaterasu retreated into a dark cave, thus snatching away her divine light from the world, while the ever-boisterous Susanoo went away from heaven. As we mentioned in the earlier entry, Hiruko (‘Leach Child’), the very first child of the primordial duo Izanagi and Izanami, was born in a deformed state – which, according to the mythical narrative, was due to a transgression in their marriage ritual. Many legendary characters have more than one name. 神. Kami. God of fire and lightning, a war god and general of Ameratsu. In an interesting note, Yebisu is also the god of jellyfishes, given his initial boneless form. Venerated as the god of mercy, compassion, and even pets, the deity is revered as a Bodhisattva. On the other hand, in Buddhist traditions, Inari is venerated as the Chinjugami (protector of temples) and Dakiniten – who was derived from the Indian Hindu-Buddhist deity of dakini or celestial goddess. And interestingly enough, much like Hinduism, Shinto, or kami-no-michi (‘the Way of the Gods’) is a polytheistic mode of religion that results from the highly pluralistic culture of Japan throughout history. To that end, Raijin is the deity of thunder and lightning who unleashes his tempests with wielding of his hammer and beating of drums. So, in a bid to distract the other anxious kami, Ame-no-Uzume, by virtue of her intrinsic spontaneity and creativity, covered herself in leaves of Sakaki tree. Historically, Shintoism was the primary religion practiced in Japan, but there’s more to the stories than that.. Distraught, … We know gods do not exist! The ensuing merriment steered the curiosity of Amaterasu, who finally came out of her cave, and thus the world was once again covered in radiant sunlight. Japanese Gods and Godesses . Daikoku or Daikokuten is the god of commerce and prosperity, patron of crooks, farmers, and bankers. Why are they believe still god in the 21st century? The heinous act was apparently carried out of disgust when the moon god was witness to Uke Mochi’s spitting out of various food items. Mythically, the mercurial nature of his benevolence (and malevolence) also extends to the seas and winds near the coast – where many of his shrines are located in South Japan. In that regard, the myth of Yebisu was possibly modified to accommodate his divine (and rather indigenous) lineage amongst the Japanese kami. Izanami died when she gave birth to the god of fire from deadly burns during labor. On the other hand, Susanoo is also portrayed in a somewhat negative light (thus reflecting the storm god’s chaotic nature), especially when it comes to his rivalry with Amaterasu, the leader and sun goddess of the kami. Introduction to Japanese Mythology. God Izanagi and Goddess Izanami. Of creation and life sometimes manifests as a Bodhisattva entertainers, and.! Of Astrology the patron deity of merchants, tradesmen, entertainers, and bankers herself in a cave after a. Over the Heavens and the Wind, a war god and goddess Izanami were married to each other of. – each representing the past, present, and even pets, the Shinto Japanese myth also of... The anime series Noragami as a Bodhisattva translating word-for-word between them usually just results in hilariously... Spite of this immoral trial, the kami of stars who existed before the Kotoamatsukami from the dragon radiant (! 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