Japanese kami women with flowers series#

Together, they are known as Nio, and they represent birth and death.Īgyo and Ungyo are both very large and muscular.

These two deities will often be seen together as they are both guards of Buddhist temples. Wooden statue depicting one of the Seven Lucky Gods, the goddess of Art Benzaiten Sponsored Links Agyo And Ungyo She is also said to be very beautiful, which could be why many geisha will adulate her. Some portrayals of Benzaiten have her playing a lute, or a biwa, and others will show her on a sea dragon. Furthermore, Benzaiten is sometimes revered for her association with the sea and good fortune. She is appreciated in the Buddhist religion and the Shinto religion as a deity of femininity as well as artistic endeavors. Sponsored Links Benzaitenīenzaiten has the honor of being the only female deity within the Seven Gods of Fortune. It is said that, when Amaterasu strayed from the world, Ame-no-Uzume was able to bring her back. Ame-no-UzumeĪme-no-Uzume is a female goddess of the dawn who is credited with the invention of the arts of dance and comedy. Many statues or illustrations of Ebisu include him holding a fishing rod or a fish. That being said, he is honored by fishermen and tradesmen as one of their deities. Sponsored LinksĮbisu is also revered as a god that represents the abundance of the sea. He is one of the Seven Lucky Gods in the Shinto religion, which are gods who showed benevolence throughout their journey and are now held in great esteem as bringers of luck and fortune. EbisuĮbisu is depicted as a very jolly kami, as he is always seen smiling and laughing in illustrations of him. This is why the sun and moon are opposites. However, he attempted to kill his sister over food that she prepared for him, leading to Amaterasu disowning him. He was also the brother of Amaterasu, the kami of the sun. He is a deity that is said to encapsulate the charm of the moon. She is the daughter of Izanami and Izanagi, who are the foremost characters of the Shinto creation myth. She is a predominant kami in the Shinto religion. It is believed that those who have been Emperors have been held in that position due to their ancestral relation to Amaterasu. She is considered the goddess of the sun, as well as the goddess of the High Celestial Plain. Sponsored Links AmaterasuĪmaterasu is a female kami of the sun. He is also honored by samurai as he is instrumental in determining whether or not a samurai may be victorious in battle. Hachiman is honored very often by fishermen and farmers in the hopes that he will bless them with bountiful catches and crops. A bronze horse statue at Himure Hachiman Shrine Hachiman is the god of war, warriors and archery, and has characteristics divine to both Shinto and Buddhist faiths.īecause Hachiman is considered to be the spirit of Emperor Ojin, he is also considered a deity to the Imperial Family. Hachiman has gone by a few names, including Yahata in ancient Shinto religion, and Emperor Ojin.

Japanese kami women with flowers series#

A series of fox statues will typically surround any sort of shrine honoring Inari. The Inari takes the form of a white or dark-colored fox but has also been illustrated as a woman holding rice.

Inari is the kami of rice, sake, tea, and prosperity. For example, it’s believed that they created a kamikaze storm in the 1200s when the Mongols attempted to invade. They are considered guardians to a certain extent, as they have been known to chase away intrusions in the past. Raijin and Fujin are often sat outside of Buddhist temples in statue form, and Shinto shrines often include statues of the two kami as well. Sponsored Links Ancient paintings of lightning and Thunder Gods on partitions at Kenninji Temple In their various portrayals, Raijin is holding a hammer and has drums all around him, while Fujin carries a sack of wind. Raijin is the kami of thunder and lightning, as well as storms. These two rami are often depicted together. Gods and deities are typically interchangeable terms that could be a part of multiple faiths. Kami are divine entities from the Shinto religion, one of the most prominent religions in Japan. Multiple religions and faiths have existed throughout Japan, including many gods, kami, and deities.īelow are some of Japan’s most recognized gods, kami, and deities, including their history and their symbolism throughout Japanese culture. Spirituality is a common thread within many of these traditions. Japan’s rich culture has developed over centuries, leading to a myriad of traditions and legends being passed down.