I don't remember where I got this from 'cause I lost all my bookmarks. And I didn't think to put it in this document. At any rate...
Aizen Myoo Japanese god of love. Was worshipped by prostitutes, singers, musicians, and landlords.
Ama-Terasu "Great Shining Heaven". Japanese sun goddess, guardian of the Japanese people and ruler of all deities. One of her tasks was to weave sacred robes for the gods.
When Amaterasu's troublesome brother Susanowo wreaked havoc on her land, she had to hide in a cave to escape the misery. He destroyed the forests, rice paddies, and the Heavenly Weaving Hall, killing Ama-Terasu's favorite weaving maiden. He sealed the cave that Amaterasu was hiding in so that no sunlight could reach the earth.
The gods worriedly met to plan a way to free her. After many failures to induce her to leave the cave, the lewd dancer Uzume stepped forth. She danced so that the gods all were delighted and laughed so much that the cave shook.
Amaterasu opened the door of the cave a bit to see what was going on, and asked why they would laugh in such a grim time. Uzume said that they were happy because a new, better, more beautiful sun goddess has come to replace her. Amaterasu immediately demanded to see this goddess, and was shown a mirror. She was startled and spellbound by her own reflection long enough for the gods to drag her from the cave, and so the world was light again and there was much rejoicing.
Ama-No Uzume Japanese fertility goddess, used for good crops.
Amatsu Mikaboshi Japanese god of evil, darkness.
Amida-Nyorai Japanese god of the paradise realm, the Japanese people turned to him at their moment of death.
Benten Japanese-Buddhist river goddess derived from the Hindu goddess Saraswati. Goddess of music, eloquence, fortune, and wealth.
Benzautin Japanese goddess of happiness and good luck. She is generous and kind, and is known for being sympathetic to men who are being chased by dragons, and helps them out. Queen of the sea. Provides protection from earthquakes; bringer of inspiration and talent, wealth and romance. Can also bring love. Also known as Benzai.
Chimati no Kami Japanese god of crossroads and footpaths; the positive creative force of life. A phallic deity.
Daikoku Japanese god of wealth. His "lucky mallet" can bestow fortune with one stroke.
Dosojin Japanese Shinto god who protected the roads and travelers, was invoked to ensure an abundant harvest. Symbolized by the phallus. Agriculture, sex, fertility.
Emma-O Japanese god of the underworld. Depicted wearing a judge's cap and holding a mace. He judged the souls of the males. If the sinner was "saved" through prayer, they would be allowed to pass on to paradise or be reincarnated on earth. Symbolizes destruction, death, and revenge.
Fugen Bosatsu Japanese god of enlightening wisdom, intelligence, understanding, intuition, long life.
Hotei Japanese god of happiness. One of the seven gods of luck. He is portrayed with a large belly and is sometimes called the "Laughing Buddha". It is said that if you rub his belly, you will receive good fortune!
Huchi Japanese goddess of fire, both of the hearth and of volcanic erruptions. Protectress of the home, cures illness. A mediator between man and gods.
Ichimokuren Japanese one-eyed god invoked to produce rain during droughts.
Ida-Ten Japanese guardian of the law. Symbolizes legal victory, justice.
Inari Japanese god of rice, business, merchants, prosperity. Could also be a goddess, and shapeshifted into a fox when in the female form. As a god, foxes were his messenger.
Ishikori-Dome Japanese smith goddess, created the first mirror which is said to be 8-sided and hidden. No one can see it, but many temples have a facsimile of it held important to them.
Izanagi Japanese creator god, father god, man of men. Symbolizes magic.
Izanami Japanese mother goddess, the female counterpart to Izanagi.
Jizo Bosatsu Japanese protector of mankind, especially women in childbirth. Rescued souls from the depths of hell. Symbolizes children, comfort, safety, protection from illness and evil, counsel of the dead, and the deceased.
Kaya Nu Hima Japanese herb goddess.
Kishi-Mojin Japanese goddess who protected children. Universal mother. She symbolizes compassion, children, life, fertility, and balance.
Kono-hana-sakuya-hime Japanese goddess of the cherry tree, makes the flowers bloom.
Nai No Kami Japanese god of earthquakes. Naru Kami Japanese goddess of thunder, ruler of trees and the forest, patron of artisans.
Nitten Japanese Buddhist sun goddess. Based on the Hindu god Surya.
No-no-kami Japanese god of fields and plants.
Okitsu-Hiko Japanese kitchen god.
O-Kuni-Nushi Japanese earth god, associated with sorcery, cunning, self-realization, and medicine.
O-Ryu Japanese goddess of the willow tree.
O-Wata-Tsumi Japanese god of the sea and its creatures, the most important of many sea gods.
O-Yama-Tsu-Mi First and most important of eight Japanese mountain gods. God of all mountains and volcanoes.
Rafu-Sen Japanese goddess of plum blossoms.
Raiden Japanese thunder god. He likes to devour navels so children must be dressed to cover their stomach.
Sakyamuni Japanese name for Buddha.
Shaka-Nyorai The historical Japanese Buddha. Virtue, spiritual enlightenment, spiritual lessons, self understanding. [Chinese.]
Susanoo Japanese thunder and storm god, mischief maker. Also associated with rain, bravery, trees, snakes, agriculture, and the seas.
Tamon Japanese god of the north and luck.
Toyota Mahime Japanese sea goddess.
Ukemachi Japanese goddess who created the earth from her body.
Uso Dori Japanese goddess of singing.
Yabune Japanese house god.
__________________
'retired' PR officer
Y! Name: Esuisha
New Y! Name: witch_cat_meihama
resirem.com
my photography, photofriday, my blog, add-on stories, free graphics, grants pass witches, my thoughts on magic and a deity & myths database project
