Transcript Document
Basics of Shinto Kami/Gods Shinto is the native religion of Japan. Shinto celebrates life and focuses on Kami. It teaches that there is a spirit in everything. Followers of the Shinto religion visit shrines to pray. Shrines are dedicated to either one specific god or to various Kami. (For more on Kami, go to the “Kami” section.) Shrines are visited during a happy, community event such as births, weddings, planting, and building. Rituals are done to appease possibly dangerous gods such as the god of war, Hachiman. Back I found the names of a few Kami. They are grouped in alphabetical order below. What are Kami/Gods?? Kami A-F Types of Gods Kami H-J Kami K-S The seven gods of luck Kami T-Z Back to Main Kami are spirits found in water, rocks, trees, and other natural things that have an aura around them. Kami is in all things that have divinity in them: ghosts of ancestors, living humans, particular regions/villages, animals, plants, landscape, and more. Every rock, animal, spring, emotion, quality, and person has a kami associated with them. Back These are some types of Kami. Ujigami: clan/village gods. They are responsible for a specific community, and they are sometimes the ancestors of the founders of the village. Kami: spirits found in water, rocks, trees, and other natural things that have an aura around them. Earth elements: sun, wind, rivers. The sun goddess is Amaterasu Omikami. Powerful forces: war, health, agriculture. The god of agriculture is Inarisama. The deceased Foxes, rabbits, racoons, and cats Human feelings: anger, jealousy, mirth, and other strong emotions. Back The Seven Gods of Luck were taken from Chinese Taoism. -Benten: goddess of music, arts, beauty, and fertility. -Hotei: the fat, laughing, god of happiness -Jurojin: god of longevity -Fukurokujin: the dwarf god of wisdom -Bishamon: armor-clad god of religious zeal -Daitoku: the generous god of wealth -Ebisu: god of honest labor Back “Amaterasu” Aji-suki-taka-hi-kone: kami of thunder Amaterasu: female sun kami Amatsu Mikaboshi: male kami of evil Chimata-no-kami: kami of crossroads, highways, and footpaths. Fujin Fuji: female kami of Mt. Fuji Fujin: wind kami Back Next page of kami Hachiman: war kami Ho-masubi: fire kami Ihu-naga: rock princess Inari: rice kami Izanagi: male kami of the Shinto creation myth Izanami: female kami of the Shinto creation myth Jimmu Tenno: the first emperor Jingo kogo: a female kami Back Next page of kami Kawa-no-kami: male kami of rivers Kishijoten: luck kami Nai-no-kami: kami of earthquakes Oho-yama: father mountain Raiden: thunder kami Ryujin: dragon king of the sea Sengen-sama: female kami of Mt. Fuji Shine-tsu-hiko: wind and air kami Shina-to-be: wife of Shine-tsu-hiko Susano: male storm kami Susano Back Next Kami Tsuki-yomi: moon kami Uke-mochi: female kami involving food and crops Uzume: kami of mirth, fertility, and dance Zocho: south guardian who keeps the world safe from demon attacks Back