There is no single god in Japan, but rather a wide variety of deities, which are sometimes described as “Yaoyorozu no Kami. Here are some typical types of deities.
- Amatsukami: Deities who reside in the heavens and play an important role in Japanese mythology. Examples: Amaterasu Omikami , Susano no Mikoto.
- Kunitsutsugami: Gods who reside on the earth and are associated with natural phenomena, landforms, and the land. Example: Okuninushi no Mikoto.
- Ancestor Gods: Ancestral spirits enshrined as guardians of the family lineage or clan.
- Ujigami: Gods that protect a specific area or community.
- Guardian deity: A deity that protects individuals and families, and is enshrined to pray for family safety and business prosperity.
- Shichifukujin: Seven deities who are responsible for good fortune, business prosperity, and academic achievement. Examples: Ebisu, Daikokuten, Benzaiten.
- Mythological or legendary deities: deities that appear in specific stories and are based on myths and folklore. Examples: Izanagi and Izanami.
In addition to these, there are countless other deities that reside in mountains, rivers, trees, rocks, and other natural objects in Japan, each of which has its own shrine built and worshipped.
Shinto is also an important part of Japanese culture and history, and the gods of Japanese mythology have been beloved by many people. It is important for us to know the names of the gods, their roles, and the stories of their mythology. Let us introduce some of the most representative figures in Japanese mythology.
Zoka Sanshin
Zoka Sanshin are three deities who appear at the beginning of the creation of the universe in Japanese Shintoism and are believed to be responsible for the creation and nurturing of all things. They are the gods of the beginning of everything, without gender. Each of the deities is as follows.
- Ameno-Minakanushi – This deity is said to have existed before the formation of the universe and appeared in the Takamagahara※1 before the other two deities. It is considered the highest of the gods and the originator of all things.
- Takamimusuhi – The second deity to appear after Amenominakanushi, Takamimusuhi is said to preside over birth and creation in the high heavens. It is considered to be a deity who governs natural phenomena and the order of the universe, and is one of the most important deities in Shintoism.
- Kaminosuhi – This deity is said to have appeared at the same time as Takamimusuhi and is regarded as an important deity in the creation process. Although its specific role is unclear, it is said to have been involved in the creation of heaven and earth.
※1 Takamagahara refers to the place where the gods of Japanese mythology reside. The name “Takamagahara” first appeared in the Kojiki, Japan’s first history book. The specific location where the story takes place is not known, but several theories exist, including Nara, Miyazaki, Tokushima, and Nagano prefectures. However, at present it has not been determined where Takamagahara was located.
Zoka Sanshin are said to have created the foundation of all things and to have served as a bridge to the later myth of Izanagi and Izanami’s birth of the nation. The existence of these three deities plays a central role in the Shinto worldview and is the basis of Japanese creation mythology.
Even today, some shrines, such as the Tokyo Grand Shrine, worship the three Zoka deities. From the age of myth to the present day, these deities have had a profound influence on the foundations of Japanese culture and religion.
Izanami and Izanagi
Izanami and Izanagi are the gods of the creation myth in Japanese mythology. These two gods gave birth to many islands and gods, including the Japanese archipelago, through the “kuni-birthing” ceremony.
Izanami is a female deity and Izanagi is a male deity. The two stood on the floating bridge of heaven to create the world of the gods, thrusting their long spears into the sea, from which they created the first island, Onokoro Island (Jikko-jima). Later, the two were united on an island and created many gods and natural elements.
However, Izanami dies due to the agony of childbirth. Saddened, Izanagi tried to bring Izanami back from Hades (the land of the dead), but she disobeyed the rules and was seen by Izanami. Izanami is so ashamed that she decides to stay in Hades, and Izanagi is forced to perform misogi, a purification ritual.
When Izanagi purified himself, he gave birth to important deities such as Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi no Mikoto, and Susanoo no Mikoto.
Onokorojima Shrine and Eda Shrine were built in connection with these myths, and Eda Shrine in particular is known as the place where Izanagi is said to have performed misogi. Taga Taisha Shrine is also believed to be a shrine that offers blessings for various wishes.
The story of Izanami and Izanagi is a very important myth that can be considered the creation story of Japan and has a deep-rooted influence on the life and culture of the Japanese people.
Amaterasu Omikami
Amaterasu Omikami is one of the most important deities in Japanese mythology. She is the sun goddess and is said to preside over the harmony and order of the universe, the fertility of agriculture and rice crops, and the healing and overcoming of illness. She is also said to be directly related to the emperor family, and there is a myth that the imperial family is descended from Amaterasu.
Amaterasu appears in numerous stories recorded in the Kojiki and Nihonshoki. One of the most famous is the episode of “Ama-no-Iwato no Kakure,” in which she hid in Ama-no-Iwato due to a dispute with her brother Susanoo, and the world was shrouded in darkness. The gods devised various ways to lure her out of the Iwato, and eventually she emerged from the Iwato, attracted by the delightful dance of the goddess Amenouzume, who performed a kagura dance in front of the Iwato, bringing light back into the world.
Amaterasu is also known as the deity associated with one of the three sacred weapons: the Yasakani no Magatama, the Kusanagi no Tsurugi, and the Yata no Kagami. In particular, the Yata no Kagami is considered her deity and is believed to be housed in the Ise Jingu Shrine.
Amaterasu is still revered today in Japanese folk beliefs and Shinto, and is worshipped as a symbol of the sun and fertility, and as an object of prayer for peace and prosperity.
Susanoo-no-Mikoto
Susanoo-no-Mikoto is one of the gods of Japanese mythology and is known for his powerful and rough character. He is regarded as the younger brother of Amaterasu Omikami and Tsukuyominomikoto, whose stories are mainly recorded in classical literature such as Kojiki and Nihonshoki.
According to legend, Susanoo-no-Mikoto was banished from the high heavenly realm and descended to the Izumo region after the world was shrouded in darkness due to the hiding of Amano-Iwato. In Izumo, he slayed a giant serpent called Yamata-no-orochi (the eight-forked serpent) and discovered a beautiful sword called the Kusanagi no Tsurugi (Sword of Kusanagi). This sword later became one of the three sacred weapons.
He also ruled Toyoashihara no Mizuho no Kuni (the Land of Toyoashihara Mizuho) in the Land of Izumo, where he came to be worshipped by the people as a god of fertility and the sea. His descendants later became a powerful family that ruled Izumo and formed the basis for the ancient Izumo culture.
While Susanoo-no-Mikoto is known for his rabid personality, he is widely worshipped and respected as a god in fields closely related to daily life such as agriculture and fishery. There are many shrines and folklore associated with Susanoo-no-Mikoto enshrined throughout Japan, of which Izumo-taisha is particularly famous. Izumo-taisha is also said to be the place where gods from all over the country gather and is the central place of belief related to Susanoo-no-Mikoto.
Okuninushi
Okuninushi no Kami is a deity in Japanese mythology who shows various aspects in diverse folklore and myths. His name means “Lord of the Great Land,” and he is known as the protector of the rich land.
In major mythologies, Okuninushi is famous as the deity of Izumo Taisha Shrine. He also appears in the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters) and Nihonshoki (Chronicles of Japan), especially in the Kojiki, where he is the protagonist of a regional myth that takes place before the founding of the nation.
Okuninushi is also worshipped as a god of knowledge and technology related to agriculture, commerce, and medicine, and is considered to be an enabler of people’s lives, which is why there are numerous shrines throughout Japan.
In addition to beliefs centered in the Izumo region, shrines and festivals dedicated to Okuninushi no Kami are found throughout the country, making him a familiar deity to the Japanese people. It is said that every year in October (lunar calendar), during the month of kaminazuki, gods from all over the country gather in Izumo to hold a marriage ceremony with Okuninushi no Kami. This is called “Kamiarizuki” in Izumo, indicating that faith in Okuninushi no Mikoto is still very strong.
Toyoke-no-Ookami
Toyoke-no-Ookami is an important deity in Japanese mythology, and is enshrined in the Toyoke Grand Shrine, or outer shrine. Ise Jingu has an Inner Shrine and an Outer Shrine. The Inner Shrine is the most important shrine dedicated to Amaterasu, while the Outer Shrine is dedicated to Toyoke-ohokami.
Toyouke is the deity responsible for the overall wealth of people’s lives, including food, clothing, and shelter, and is also worshipped as the guardian deity of industry. Particularly closely related to Japanese agriculture, he is worshipped as the god of grain and food, and is therefore also called the god of “good harvest. He is also beloved as the god of beautiful clothing and a stable home.
Toyoke-no-okami, also known as Amenouzume or Toyoukebime, is the nurturer of the cosmic energy and life force. She is also known as Amenuusume or Toyokebime, and is said to nurture the energy and life force of the universe. She also serves as the Mikuetokami, the deity who controls Amaterasu’s diet.
According to mythology, Toyoke no Mikami, also known as Toyokebime-no-kami, is the son of Wakumusubi-no-kami.
When worshippers visit the outer shrine of Ise Jingu, they first worship Toyoke Omikami, praying for a good harvest and industrial prosperity. It is important to offer prayers with a pure heart and in harmony with the natural environment of the Ise Jingu Shrine.
The outer shrine of Ise Jingu is crowded with worshippers every year, and it is believed that believers from all over Japan come to this sacred place to renew their minds and receive divine blessings. It can be said that the devotion to Toyoke Ookami is an expression of gratitude and respect for the prosperity of agriculture and other industries in the hearts of the Japanese people.
Other
There are many other gods and goddesses in Japan. The stories and beliefs of these deities have greatly influenced Japanese society and culture. The gods are deeply connected to the life and thought of the Japanese people, and Shinto-like beliefs continue to this day. Knowing the names and stories of the gods will further fascinate you with the mysterious world of Japan. Later, I would like to explain “Kojiki,” a chronicle of the history of the gods.
God’s Influence on Japanese Culture
Gods have long been a major influence on Japanese culture. Their presence is manifested in a variety of art forms, including art, music, literature, and architecture. Shinto exists as an integral part of Japanese culture, and shrines and Shinto events are part of daily life. The stories and teachings of the gods have deeply impressed the Japanese people, influencing their traditions and values. The presence of the gods is indispensable and has contributed greatly to the formation of Japanese culture.