Meet the 16 most popular Gods Of Japanese Mythology. Discover their legends, powers and all the stories that have endured.
16 Gods Of Japanese Mythology
Japan has a very attractive culture being one of the best known worldwide, among all these manifestations is religion, where 90.5% of the population is considered highly believing -according to the 2010 census-. There are several beliefs towards the deities or gods of Japanese mythology, but the ones with more believers are Shintoism with 84.74% and Buddhism with 69.07%.
What is Shintoism?
Shinto is the main state religion and its supreme priest is the emperor, coming from Japan since the Meji Era . Unlike other religions, it has no scriptures, founder or dogmas, but it contains a lot of material concerning mythology and numerous religious practices.
Shinto or Shinto is based on the belief in a god or “kami” as the Japanese call it, where these deities are totally related to nature either in phenomena such as wind, rain, through concepts such as mercy or stars such as the moon and the sun.
A curious fact regarding Shinto is that it does not determine good or evil, it is based on a faith towards human beings who are good by nature and their bad actions are due to evil spirits. In addition, when a believer of this religion dies, he/she becomes a “kami” to be venerated by his/her family. Shintoism has approximately 8 million deities, therefore the most important ones will be mentioned here.
Most relevant Gods of Japanese mythology
Although there are many gods belonging to Japanese mythology, below we list the 16 most important and relevant gods of this country.
1.- Izanagi
Also known as “the first man on earth” is part of Japanese mythology as he is one of the procreators of various deities with his wife Izanami. They have a curious history, since when they had their first two children Iruko and Awashima came out deformed because Izanami was the first to talk to her husband and according to kami this should be the other way around, therefore the children are not considered gods because they were abandoned.
2.- Izanami
She is the protagonist in the “creation myth” playing an essential role with her husband in order to procreate. Unfortunately, she is seriously injured when she gives birth to her son, the god of fire, Kagatsuchi.
Therefore, her husband sets out on a journey to Yomi to recover her and upon his return he realizes that his wife is not the beautiful woman she always was but a decomposing corpse. Terrified, he decides to run to the forest, locking himself in a cave with a stone, while he is chased by Izanami who tells him that if he does not come out he will kill 1000 people every day, to which he replies that he will give life to 1500 people, this event generated the death.
3.- Kagutsuchi
God of fire and patron of blacksmiths, unfortunately his power caused his mother to have serious burn injuries thus generating the fury of his father and being killed being cut into eight pieces giving life to volcanoes. His death represents the creation of the world and the beginning of death.
4.- Amaterasu
Goddess of the sun, being one of the three most important deities in Japanese mythology, who is considered the ancestor of the emperor’s royal family. Her brother Susanoo had a problem with her causing her to lock herself in a cave and not come out for a long time being days of darkness away from the immeasurable warmth that the goddess provided to everyone.
5.- Susanoo
Deity of the sea and storms, having caused the imprisonment of his sister Amaterasu was expelled from heaven, undertaking a long journey in which he had to face an eight-headed snake. After achieving victory and obtaining a sword to give to his sister as a sign of apology, he regained his place in heaven.
6.- Tsukuyomi
A being dark as the night representing the beautiful and bright moon, this god of the mythology of Japan when sent by his sister Amaterasu refused to taste the edible delicacies that were provided by Uke Mochi and became so angry that he killed him, thus creating a discord between brother and sister. Hence the representation of day and night.
7.- O-Wata-Tsu-Mi
Also known as Watatsumi, he is in charge of protecting the seas, besides having a peculiar appearance. This taciturn being appears as an elderly lord, but his true form is a giant green snake. Despite his true appearance, legend has it that the deity of the sea is a very kind and calm man with every person who visits his kingdom at the bottom of the sea.
8.- Shinatobe
Nihon Shoki as some call him, is the god of wind in Japanese mythology, in charge of dissipating the air with negative energies that disturb the spiritual stability of people, in addition to providing energy and freedom in the air. It presents a particular aspect of man-woman representing equality of conditions.
9.- Ebisu
God of wealth and business representing fishermen with his simple appearance of shorts, straw hat with his fishing rod in addition to having a fish that signals abundance.
10.- Ama no Uzume
Goddess of fertility, dance and happiness who possesses a great charisma that was able to get her sister Amaterasu out of her confinement. Bearer of warmth and joy.
11.- Takemikazuchi
Recognized as the God of the sword and thunder, he represents strength and power, being one of the first to compete in the sumo circle, according to Japanese mythology. He won countless battles, earning the respect of many clans.
12.- Shinigami
They are gods of death in Japanese mythology in charge of deciding who lives or dies and at the same time help humans to cross to the other side, it is unknown if these deities have a good or bad purpose although there are several myths that reveal atrocities caused by these entities. They are also the representation of angelic creatures with a very dark purpose and protectors between both worlds.
13.- Aizen
Goddess of love who is venerated by musical artists and prostitutes, despite her hostile appearance, she is very kind to human beings. Originally from Hinduism and adopted by Chinese Buddhism, she occupies an important place in Japanese mythology. She personifies lust and sensuality represented through eroticism and love; she is for those people who want to feel good on a spiritual level with respect to relationships and understand their feelings with a concept of mercy.
14.- Uke Mochi
Goddess who provides food such as rice and wheat, with her distinctive way of providing edibles through her body. Her death was caused by Tsukuyomi who felt offended by the way in which she granted food by killing her, thus creating discord among the sun goddess who decided that Uke Mochi’s death would not be in vain and planted her to provide food for all mankind. Because of her death the sun and the moon alternate.
15.- Inari
Androgynous deity of fertility, rice, foxes and agriculture; being a symbol of prosperity and friendship with diverse representations either as an old man, a woman or a fox depending on the culture or religion. It provides rice and fish to the seas.
16.- Hachiman
God who represents the Samurai and archery. Referred to as the protector who maintains the peace and prosperity of the Japanese nation and is considered by some as the god of agriculture.
Each of these gods of Japanese mythology represents the belief and the immeasurable power of faith that the human being can have to supernatural entities that in some way or another generate the feeling of security and stability both mentally and spiritually.
