| Japanese Gods & Goddesses |
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| AJI-SUKI-TAKA-HI-KONE One of several Japanese gods of thunder. He was born noisy and as he grew he became even noisier. To keep him quiet the gods carried him up and down a ladder, which explains the sound pattern associated with thunder. AMATERASU The Japanese Shinto sun goddess. Her name means "she who shines in the heavens". She is the eldest daughter of Izanagi and the Japanese imperial family claim descent from her. AMATSU MIKABOSHI God of evil. His name means "August Star of Heaven". AMA-TSU-MARU One eyed god of blacksmiths. BENTEN Goddess of love, language, wisdom, the arts, music, knowledge, good fortune and water. Patroness of geishas, dancers and musicians. Portrayed as a beautiful woman riding a dragon while playing a stringed instrument. BISHAMON God of war, distributor of wealth and protector of the Japanese people. CHIMATA-NO-KAMI God of crossroads, highways and footpaths. Originally, he was a phallic god and phallic symbols used to be placed at crossroads. IZANAGI "The Male who Invites". The god of light, who along with Izanami, his wife and sister, created the world. IZANAMI "The female who invites". She died giving birth to her son Kagutsuchi and since that day ruled over the underworld. KAGUTSUCHI God of fire. KAMA-KAZI God of the winds, storms and bad cold. KAWA-NO-KAMI God of rivers. MUSUBI-NO-KAMI God of love and marriage. His symbol is the cherry tree where he lives. NAI-NO-KAMI God of earthquakes. NINIGI The rice god. Ancestral god to the Japanese Imperial family. O-KUNI-NUSHI Shinto god of magic and medicine. He died twice and was resurrected and as such, represents death and the budding of nature. He is ruler of the spirit world. RAIDEN God of thunder and lightning. SARUTAHIKO-OHKAMI God of crossroads, pathways and overcoming obstacles. He guards the bridge between heaven and hell. SENGEN-SAMA Goddess of blossom and the sacred mountain of Fujiyama. She guards the secret fountain of eternal youth and dispenses its waters to only a select few. SHINE-TSU-HIKU God of the winds. He and his wife Shine-Tsu-Be hold up the Earth. SUSA-NO-WO Shinto god of the winds, storms, the ocean and snakes. He is the personification of evil. |
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