Search Results for: owl

O Kuni Nushi (Intermediate God) The son of Susanoo, O-Kuni-Nushi is the god of medicine, sorcery, master of the land, and patron of heroes. He has had a great many adventures, and has always confronted danger bravely and with a certain amount of cunning. He is able to identify and converse with any kami, and […]

Nai No Kami (Intermediate God) Nai No Kami is the god of earthquakes. For a long time, his worship was completely neglected, to the point that the Japanese did not even include his name in their lists of the Ama-Tsu-Kami, the kami of the heavens. For a long time, Nai No Kami patiently endured this

Kura Okami (Intermediate God) Kura Okami is one of the many rain gods. He dwells in the fertile valleys of Japan, providing a more or less steady supply of rain for the crops grown there. During storms, he can get caught up in Susanoo’s fury and send too much rain, causing the streams and rivers

Inari (Intermediate God) At one time the patron of smiths who forged swords, Inari has since passed that duty to Ama Tsu Mara so that he can spend more time in his other calling, that of rice god. He watches over the sowing and reaping of rice, as well as the preservation of the crop

Hachiman (Intermediate God) Hachiman was born Ojin, son of the Empress Jingo. According to legend, Empress Jingo became pregnant while leading a military expedition against Korea. In order to delay the child’s birth, she swallowed a rock. It is no wonder that, born of such a woman, Ojin grew up to become a cunning and

Amatsu Mikaboshi (Intermediate God) Amatsu Mikaboshi, the “august star of heaven,” is the god of evil. Also known as Ama-no-Kagaseo, the “brilliant male,” he sees and sanctions all things done under cover of darkness. He has the power to look into the hearts of men and women, and, if he finds too much evil there,

Yama (Intermediate God) As the first man to die. Yama became the lord and judge of the dead. His palace (Yamasadena) and his city (Yamapura) are located in the far south. Between the land of the living and his kingdom flows thebloody river Vaitarani, which all spirits must cross on their way to Yamaa’s judgement

Varuna (Intermediate God) Varuna is the guardian of rita (cosmic order) and the lord of the sky. As the up-holder of the physical and moral order, he is the protector of oaths and the divine judge. A constant observer of human actions, Varuna is so vigilant and stern in executing his duties that beings violating

Ushas (Intermediate God) Ushas is the goddess of dawn, the bright and ever-young daughter of the heavens. Every morning, she drives away the evil spirits that have gathered in the night, awakens the gods and all living creatures, and then opens the gates of the sky to allow Surya into the world. After Surya has