The 27 most important JAPANESE mythology GODS and their meaning

The japanese mythology is one of those that has had the most changes throughout history, being a set of stories of the first settlers of the region together with the appearance of numerous more modern religions such as the Taoism, Shintoism or the buddhism. This union of Japanese folklore and religions has formed a very interesting pantheon and, therefore, in this lesson from a PROFESSOR we must talk about the Japanese mythology: main gods.

The calls older kami are the closest we can find in Japanese beliefs to about elder godsSome of them being personifications of gods as in Greece and Rome, but others referring to spirits that enter objects or plants. We do not know exactly the exact amount of kami. Here are the most important ones.

Amaterasu

With a past closely related to the Japanese imperial house, this deity is considered to be the Goddess of the sun in Japanese mythology. The great importance of the Sun in Japanese culture shows the great relevance that this deity had in the past of the Japanese nation.

Uzume

Shinto goddess of the dance, fertility and happiness. It is said that when Amatarasu was afraid to confront her brother, he hid in a cave, causing the night to fade. eternal, but the goddess Uzume convinced Amaterasu to leave her prison so that the Sun could return to arise.

Fujin

Considered one of the deities that was in the origin of the world and as responsible for the wind and air. It is said that thanks to Fujin clearing the world fog with his wind, Amaterasu's sun rays reached the world.

Hachiman

God of war and farmers, being venerated for it at the same time by the workers of the field, by the Japanese people and by the Japanese imperial family. Being the one who brings peace to the Japanese he is seen as a protective deity halfway between Buddhism and Shintoism.

Inari

He is another of the gods of Japanese mythology and is the god foxes, fertility, rice, agriculture and the industry. Over the centuries he became a deity closely related to blacksmiths, becoming a kind of patron of them.

Ninigi

It is said that he was the Amaterasu's grandson, sent to earth by him to plant rice. Grandfather of Emperor Jinmu is said that after planting rice he brought peace to Japan thanks to three objects given by his grandfather.

Omoikane

God of wisdom and intelligence, The myths say that whenever some gods had to deliberate on some subject they called on the god Omoikane to help them with his wise advice.

Raijin

It is one of the demons of Japanese mythology. Generally depicted as an Oni, resembling western demons, he was the representation of thunder itself. It is said that through his drum he was able to summon thunder and that his anger caused great and dangerous storms.

Ryujin

In the shape of a huge dragon it is said that he was a God of the sea. Depending on the region and the time, his powers vary a lot, being able according to some cultures to heal even the most serious wounds.

Suijin

Although he is usually represented as the deity of all good forms of water, he is also spoken of as a way of referring to most of marine animalsYes, such as turtles, fish or even kappa.

Susanoo

Amaterasu's brother and rival, this being the evil one of the two brothers. As god of the sea he is regarded as the most brutal japanese deity of all being able to defeat his brother and bring chaos to humanity.

Tsukuyomi

God of the moon It is said that his power makes Amaterasu not dare to face him, so the Sun and the Moon never coincide. The rivalry between the Tsukuyomi brothers, Susanoo and Amaterasu is one of the most interesting in the Japanese religion.

To conclude this lesson on the gods of Japanese mythology, we must talk about the rest of the Japanese deities that are not ranked among the most important or greatest, but who have a important role inside the Japanese pantheon.

Kamiyonanayo

It is the way with which the generations of Japanese gods that arrived behind the origin of the universe and that therefore they are not within the creator gods. There are many gods that are part of this group, but the most relevant are the following:

• Izanagi: God of creation and brother of Izanami, it is considered that he was the father of many of the most important kami.
• Izanami: God of creation and sister of Izanami, like her brother it is considered that she could create many of the main gods.

Minor kami

Just as we can talk about the older kami there are also the so-called minor kami, being deities with less relevance, but that also make up the Japanese pantheon. The minor kami that we must know are the following:

• Tajikarao: She is considered to be one of Amaterasu's saviors.
• Koyane: Considered as a kind of assistant to the emperor of Japan.
• Amatsumara: The god of all iron-related jobs.
• Kuebiko: A kind of scarecrow that cannot walk but has the power of knowledge.
• Kuraokami: A great dragon that is said to bring rain and snow.
• Ugayafukiaezu: Considered as the father of the first emperor of Japan.

Seven lucky gods

Highly represented in Japanese civilization, these deities are believed to they bring fortune to all those who pray to them, being very common to find their figures on the street or in temples. The seven lucky gods are as follows:

• Benzaiten: God of all that flows through words and music.
• Bishamonten: God of warriors and punisher of criminals.
• Daikokuten: God of wealth and home.
• Ebisu: A god without any bones.
• Fukurokuju: God of wisdom and longevity it is said that he carries a book with the lives of all people.
• Hotei: Known to the whole world as the Buddha who laughs.
• Jurojin: God of longevity.