Amaterasu: goddess of the sun and fertility who brings light to the world. Hachiman: god of warriors, known for his military skill.
Inari: god associated with rice and merchants.
Izanagi: creator god.
Izanami: creator goddess.
Kagutsuchi: god of fire.
Susano-o: violent god associated with storms and the sea, Amaterasu's brother.
Tsuki-yomi: moon god, Amaterasu's brother.
Deities appear in significant roles in a number of stories from different regions.
The two most important creator deities are Izanagi (pronounced ee-zuh-NAH-gee) and his sister Izanami (pronounced ee-zuh-NAH-mee). According to the myths, they made the islands of Japan as well as many of the gods and goddesses. Izanagi and Izanami also appear in a story about a descent to Yomi (pronounced YOH-mee), a land of darkness and death associated with the underworld.
Perhaps the best-known Japanese deity is the sun goddess Amaterasu. Said to be the ancestor of the imperial family, she brings light into the world and is responsible for fertility. Her shrine at Ise (pronounced EE-say) is considered by many to be the most important shrine in Japan.
Amaterasu has two brothers: the moon god Tsuki-yomi (pronounced TSOO-kee-yoh-mee) and Susano-o (pronounced soo-sah-noh-OH), a powerful and violent god often associated with storms. Of the two, Susano-o plays a more important role in mythology, appearing in a number of major legends, including several with Amaterasu.
Okuninushi (pronounced aw-KOO-nee-NOO-shee), a descendant of Susano-o (possibly his son), is a central character in the Izumo Cycle, a series of myths set in the Izumo (pronounced ee-ZOO-moh) region of Western Japan. Like the heroes in the legends of other cultures, Okuninushi has many adventures and undergoes various ordeals.
One of the most popular deities of Japanese mythology is Hachiman (pronounced HAH-chee-mahn), a protector of warriors. The character of Hachiman is based on the emperor Ojin (pronounced OH-jeen), who lived in the 300s CE and was renowned for his military skills. According to tradition, after Ojin died he became the god Hachiman. In the 700s, Hachiman became part of the Shinto pantheon.
The god Inari (pronounced ee-NAH-ree) appears in few myths, but he is important because of his association with the growing of rice, the major food crop in Japan. Thought to bring prosperity, Inari is the patron (protector) of merchants and sword makers.
Among the many spirits and creatures in Japanese mythology are the tengu (pronounced TEN-goo), minor deities that are part human and part bird. According to tradition, they live in trees in mountainous areas. The tengu enjoy playing tricks on humans but resent being tricked themselves. They are more mischievous than wicked.
The Oni (pronounced OH-nee), a more threatening group ofspirits, may have originated in China and traveled to Japan with Buddhism. These horned demons, often of enormous size, can take human or animal shape. Sometimes invisible, the Oni have the ability to steal the souls of humans. They can be very cruel and are associated with various evil forces such as famine and disease.
Japanese mythology also includes other Buddhist deities. In addition to stories about the life of Buddha (pronounced BOO-duh), many tales concern Amida (pronounced AH-mee-duh), the ruler of a paradise called the Pure Land. Kannon (pronounced KAH-nohn), the protector of children and women in childbirth, and Jizo (pronounced jee-ZOH), who rescues souls from hell, are also important Buddhist figures.
A group of monkey-like creatures called kappa (pronounced KAHP-pah) displays both good and evil qualities in Japanese myth. Associated with water, they live in rivers, ponds, and lakes, and carry water in a hollow space on top of their heads. If the water spills, the kappa lose their magical powers. Kappa drink the blood of humans, horses, and cattle. But they also eat cucumbers, and families can avoid being attacked by throwing a cucumber bearing their names into the kappa’s watery home. Among the kappa’s good qualities is a tendency to be polite. When they meet someone, they bow, often spilling the water in their heads. They
Hachiman, one of the most popular gods of Japanese mythology, was the patron of warriors. © SAKAMOTO PHOTO RESEARCH LABORATORY/CORBIS.
Also always keep their promises. In many tales, humans outwit the kappa by forcing them to make promises.
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