kami-no-kao

[kami-no-kao]

Konohana Sakuya-hime, the Goddess of flowers and volcanoes. Often called Sakuya for short, she is depicted as a beautiful woman with cherry blossoms and Mt. Fuji. Konohana Sakuya-hime was chosen to be the wife of Ninigi, the grandson of Amaterasu, instead of the goddess of rocks. By choosing Sakuya, it is said that human life is beautiful but fleeting, like cherry blossoms rather than long lasting like rocks. As the main deity of the mountains, she is called upon for protection from fire and volcanic eruptions, both in ancient and present day. Volcanoes, specifically Mt. Fuji, were more active in ancient Japan. One of the best known shrines for Konohana Sakuya-Hime is on Mt. Fuji itself.

[kami-no-kao]

Jizo, a deity in Japan, is revered for protecting travelers and children. Originally depicted as female, but later changed to male, the ancient japanese believed him to be the first deity one would encounter when entering Japan, because he’d be watching for your protection. It is believed in ancient Japan that when children die untimely deaths, they cause their parents much pain and sorrow, and thus are unable to cross the river into the afterlife. Jizo is the deity who helps these lost souls cross the river by hiding them in the cloths of his cloak. hey remain on the side of the river, having to pile stones as an act of penance. He then becomes a guardian figure for these children in replacement of the parents. In modern Japan, people still worship Jizo for successful childbirth, or place and dress Jizo statues for passed children.

[kami-no-kao]

Inari is the God of rice, often depicted as a man with rice and foxes. Other depictions of Inari are as the Goddess of food, a woman with long hair, rice and foxes by her side. The foxes are believed to be Inari’s early messengers, and thus granted them sacred status in Japan. Often times at Inari shrines, foxes will be displayed and will even have smaller shrines within dedicated to them for small offerings. Inari is thought to be responsible for all businesses and household well-being. Once praised by merchants and tradesmen for wealth and prosperous business, the deity is now prayed to for prosperity as a whole. One of the most famous Inari shrines located in Kyoto is the Fushimi Inari Shrine.

[kami-no-kao]

Raijin and Fujin are the Gods of Nature. Often depicted together, they are some of the most feared, but also respected Gods in Japan. Raijin, who controls thunder, lightning and storms, was often prayed to by farmers to promote successful crop growth. Lightning was believed to be responsible for the fertilization of rice plants. Parents often told their children to hide their belly buttons during storms to stop Raijin from eating their bellies. Fujin, who controlled the winds, was responsible for causing typhoons, but is believed to have protected Japan from Mongolian invasion in the 1200s with his powerful winds. The term Kamikaze, divine wind, is attributed to him. Raijin and Fujin are found protecting shrines all over Japan, like the famous Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, intimidating visitors with their intense gazes. 

[kami-no-kao]

Ryujin is known as the God of the ocean and rainfall. Responsible for causing tsunamis, it also helped and saved people. Ryujin is often depicted as a great dragon, or sea snake, that can even change its form to various animals and even as a human. The people of ancient Japan, mainly fisherman and farmers, worshiped the god for bountiful rain, clam seas and successful fishing. Shrines dedicated to Ryujin were found all over Japan, but its home was considered to be where rainfall and fishing were most essential. The most famous location in Kyoto, beneath the depths of lake Biwa was believed to be an underwater castle, Ryūgū-jō, where Ryujin lived.