List of Japanese deities

List of Japanese deities

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 and were "integrated" into Japanese mythology and folklore.

Kotoamatsukami

List of Japanese deities

• Ame no Minakanushi (天之御中主神) – Lord of the August Center of Heaven • Takamimusubi (高御産巣日神) – Exalted Generative Force • Kamimusubi (神産巣日神) – Sacred Generative Force • Umashiashikabihikoji (宇摩志阿斯訶備比古遅神) – Elderly Prince Reed-Shoot • Ame no Tokotachi (天之常立神) – Ever-Standing Heaven

Kamiyonanayo

List of Japanese deities

Izanagi and Izanami on the Floating Bridge of Heaven (by William George Aston)

Major kami

List of Japanese deities

The Amaterasu-Ōmikami emerges from the Heavenly Rock Cave Shunsai Toshimasa (春斎年昌)

Yama-no-Kami

List of Japanese deities

• 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. • Omonoimi no Kami ( 大物忌神), god of Mount Chōkai, worshipped at Chōkaisan Ōmonoimi Shrine, identified with Toyouke-hime • Ōyamatsumi (大山積神), an elder brother of Amaterasu, and an important god of mountains. Also the father of Konohanasakuya-hime.

People worshipped as kami

List of Japanese deities

This section includes historical people worshipped as kami.

• 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. • Oda Nobunaga (織田信長) enshrined at Kenkun-jinja. • 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. • Tenjin (天神) The god of scholarship, he is the deified Sugawara no Michizane. Subsequent disasters in Heiankyo were attributed to his angered spirit. • Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康) enshrined at Nikkō Tōshō-gū and similar shrines. • Toyotomi Hideyoshi (豊臣秀吉) enshrined at Toyokuni-jinja.

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

List of Japanese deities

• Aizen Myō-ō (愛染明王), a Wisdom King known to transform earthly desires (love/lust) into spiritual awakening. • Amida Nyorai (無量光佛 or 無量壽佛), commonly referred to as Amida-butsu (阿弥陀如来), he is the primary Buddha of the Pure Land school of Buddhism. He is believed to possess infinite meritorious qualities and is known as the "Lord of the Beyond and the Afterlife." He is one of the Five Dhyani Buddhas. • Daruma (達磨), traditionally held in Buddhist mythology to be the founder of Zen Buddhism, as well as the founder of 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 dolls were created in honor of this legend. • Fudō Myōō (不動明王), a fierce and wrathful Wisdom King who 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 Bodhisattva known 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 Bodhisattva associated with compassion. Commonly known in English as the "Goddess of Mercy." • Yakushi Nyorai (薬師如来), a Buddha known for healing and medicine.

Seven Lucky Gods

List of Japanese deities

The Seven Lucky Gods (by Yoshitoshi)

• 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. • Bishamonten (毘沙門天) Also called Bishamon or Tamonten, he is the god of fortunate warriors and guards, as well as the punisher of criminals. Said to live halfway down the side of 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. • Daikokuten (大黒天) Often shortened to simply Daikoku, he is variously considered to be the god of wealth (more specifically, the harvest), or of the household (particularly the kitchen). He is recognized by his wide face, smile, and flat black hat. He is often portrayed holding a golden mallet, seated on bales of rice, with mice nearby (which signify plentiful food). He was derived from Mahākāla, the buddhist version of the Hindu deity Shiva. • Ebisu (恵比須, 恵比寿, 夷 or 戎) The sole member of the gods believed to have originated in Japan, he was originally known as Hiruko (蛭子), the first child of Izanagi and Izanami. Said to be born without bones, he eventually overcame his handicaps to become the mirthful and auspicious Ebisu (hence one of his titles, "The Laughing God"). He is often depicted holding a rod and a large red sea bream or sea bass. Jellyfish are also associated with this god, and the fugu 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. • Hotei (布袋) Best known in the Western world as the Laughing Buddha, Hotei is likely the most popular of the gods. His image graces many temples, restaurants and amulets. Originally based on a Chinese Chan monk, Hotei has become a deity of contentment and 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 Kichijōten (吉祥天), also known as Kisshoutennyo, is sometimes considered to be one of the seven gods, replacing either Jurōjin or Fukurokuju. She embodies happiness, fertility and beauty. Daikoku sometimes manifests as a female known as Daikokunyo (大黒女) or Daikokutennyo (大黒天女). When Kisshoutennyo is counted among the seven Fukujin and Daikoku is regarded in feminine form, all three of the Hindu Tridevi goddesses are represented in the Fukujin.