Japanese Mythology - Gods and Demons

At the same time, Japanese mythology is interesting and incomprehensible to many, which includes many sacred knowledge, beliefs, traditions of Shinto and Buddhism. In the pantheon there is a huge number of deities that perform their functions. A considerable number of known and demons, in which people believe.

Pantheon of the Japanese gods

At the core of the myths of this Asian country is Shintoism - the "path of the gods", which appeared in ancient times and it is simply impossible to determine the exact date. Mythology of Japan is unique and unique. People worshiped different spiritual essences of nature, places and even inanimate objects. The gods could be evil and kind. It is worth noting that their names are often complex, and sometimes too long.

Japanese Sun Goddess

For the heavenly body, the goddess Amaterasu Omikami answers, and in translation her name is called "the great goddess that illuminates the heavens." According to beliefs, the sun goddess in Japan is the ancestress of the great imperial family.

1. It is believed that Amaterasu told the Japanese the rules and secrets of the technology of growing rice and obtaining silk through the use of a loom.
2. According to the legend, it appeared from the drops of water, when one of the great gods was washing in the pond.
3. Japanese mythology tells that she had Susanoo's brother, with whom she married, but he wanted to go to the world of the dead to his mother, so he began to destroy the world of people so that other gods would kill him. Amaterasu was tired of this behavior of her husband and hid in a cave, interrupting all contacts with the world. Gods cunning managed to entice her from the shelter and return to heaven.

Japanese Goddess of Mercy

One of the main goddesses of the Japanese pantheon is Guanyin, also called the "Buddhist Madonna". Believers considered her a beloved mother and divine mediator, which was not alien to the everyday affairs of ordinary people. Other Japanese goddesses did not have such great importance in antiquity.

1. Honor Guanyin, as a compassionate savior and goddess of mercy. Its altars were placed not only in temples, but also in houses and roadside temples.
2. According to existing legends, the goddess wanted to enter the kingdom of heaven, but she stopped at the very threshold, hearing the cry of people living on earth.
3. The Japanese goddess of mercy is considered the patroness of women, sailors, traders and artisans. Seeking her help and the fair sex, who want to become pregnant.
4. Often Guanyin is represented with a lot of eyes and hands, which personifies her desire to help other people.

The Japanese god of death

For the other world, Emma answers, who is not only a god of power, but also a judge of the dead, who controls hell (in Japanese mythology, the jigoku).

1. Under the guidance of the god of death is a whole army of spirits, which performs many tasks, for example, they take away the souls of the dead after death.
2. They represent him as a big man with a red face, eyes with a skill and a beard. The God of death in Japan is dressed in traditional Japanese attire, and on his head is the crown with the hieroglyph "king".
3. In modern Japan, Emma is the hero of horror stories that tell children.

Japanese god of war

The famous warrior patron god Hachiman is not a fictional character, as he was copied from the real Japanese warrior Oji, who ruled the country. For his good deeds, loyalty to the Japanese people and love of battles, it was decided to consider him a divine pantheon.

1. There are several options as the Japanese gods looked, so Hatiman was portrayed as an elderly blacksmith or, conversely, a child who provided all kinds of help to people.
2. They consider him the protector of the samurai, therefore he is called the god of bow and arrow. His task is to protect people from various life plagues and wars.
3. According to one of the legends, Hatiman represents the fusion of the three divine beings. It also says that he was the patron saint of the imperial family, so the prototype is considered to be the ruler of Odzi.

The Japanese god of thunder

The patron of lightning and thunder in mythology is Raydzin. In most legends, he is represented together with the god of the wind. They depict him surrounded by drums, into which he beats, creating thunder. In some sources it is represented as a child or a snake. The Japanese god Raydzin is still in charge of the rain. He is considered the Japanese equivalent of a western demon or devil.

Japanese Fire God

For the fire in the pantheon, the responsible is Kagutsuti. According to the legends, when he was born, his mother burned her flame and she died. The father, in desperation, cut off his head, and then divided the remains into eight equal parts, of which later volcanoes appeared. Other gods of Japan appeared from his blood.

1. In Japanese mythology, Kagucuti was a special honor and people worshiped him as the patron of fire and blacksmithing.
2. People were afraid of the fire god's anger, so they constantly prayed to him and brought different gifts, believing that he would save them at home from fires.
3. In Japan, many people still observe the tradition of celebrating the Hee-Matsuri holiday earlier this year. On this day, it is necessary to bring a torch lit to the house, lit from the sacred fire in the temple.

Japanese god of the wind

One of the oldest Shinto gods who inhabited the earth before the advent of mankind is considered Fujin. For those who are interested in what kind of god in Japan was responsible for the wind, and what he looked like, it's worth knowing that he was often seen as a muscular man who always wore a huge sack full of winds on his shoulders and they walk on the ground when he opens it.

1. In the mythology of Japan there is a legend that the first time Fujin released winds at the dawn of the world to dispel the fog and the sun could brighten the earth and give life.
2. Initially in Japanese mythology, Fujin and his friend the god of thunder relate to the forces of evil who opposed the Buddha. As a result of the battle, they were captured and then repented and began to serve the good.
3. The god of wind has only four fingers on his hands, which symbolize the directions of light. On his feet he has only two fingers, signifying heaven and earth.

Japanese water god

For water ownership was responsible Susanoo, which has already been mentioned earlier. He appeared from the drops of water, and is accounted for by brother Amaterasu. He did not want to rule the seas and decided to go to the world of the dead to his mother, but to leave a trace, he suggested that his sister bring into the world children. After that, the Japanese god of the sea accomplished many terrible things on earth, for example, ravaged channels in the fields, defiled the sacred chambers and so on. For his deeds, he was expelled by other gods from the high heaven.

Japanese god of fortune

The list of seven gods of happiness includes Ebisu, who is responsible for luck. He is also considered the patron of fishing and labor, and also the keeper of the health of young children.

1. Mythology of Ancient Japan contains many myths and in one of them it is told that Ebisu was born without bones, since his mother did not observe the wedding ritual. At birth he was called Hirako. When he was not yet three years old, he was carried away to sea and after some time he threw Hokkaido ashore, where he raised bones and turned into a god.
2. For his goodwill, the Japanese called him "a laughing god." His honor is a festival every year.
3. In most sources, he is presented in a tall hat, with a fishing rod and a big fish in his hands.

Japanese moon god

The ruler of the night and the satellite of the earth is Tsukiyemi, who in mythology is sometimes represented by a female deity. It is believed that he has the power to control tides.

1. Myths of Ancient Japan explain the process of the appearance of this deity differently. There is a version that he appeared along with Amaterasu and Susanoo during the bathing of Izanagi. According to other information, he appeared from a mirror made of white copper, which in the right hand held a majestic god.
2. The legends say that the god of the moon and the goddess of the sun lived together, but one day my sister drove out her brother and told him to stay away. Because of this, the two heavenly bodies can not meet, because the moon shines at night. And the sun in the afternoon.
3. There are several temples dedicated to Tsukiyami.

The gods of happiness in Japan

In the mythology of this Asian country, there are as many as seven gods of happiness who are responsible for different spheres important for people. Often they are presented in the form of small figures that float along the river. The ancient Japanese gods of happiness have a connection with the beliefs of China and India:

1. Ebisu is the only god who is of Japanese origin. About him was told above.
2. Hotey is a god of good nature and compassion. Many turn to him to fulfill their cherished desire. Picture him as an old man with a huge belly.
3. Daikoku is a deity of wealth that helps people fulfill their desire. He is also considered the defender of ordinary peasants. Represent it with a hammer and a bag of rice.
4. Fukurokuju is the god of wisdom and longevity. Among other deities, he stands out with his head extended excessively.
5. Badzeiten is the goddess of fortune, who patronizes art, wisdom and study. Japanese mythology is her beautiful girl, and in her hands she holds a national Japanese instrument - biwa.
6. Dzyurozin is the god of longevity and he is considered a hermit who is constantly in search of the elixir of immortality. Represent him as an old man with a staff and an animal.
7. Bisyamontan is the god of prosperity and material prosperity. They consider him the patron of warriors, lawyers and doctors. Represent it in armor and with a spear.

Japanese Mythology - Demons

It has already been mentioned that the mythology of this country is unique and multifaceted. There are also dark forces in it and many Japanese demons played an important role in the lives of ancient people, but in the modern world some representatives of dark forces are afraid of both children and adults. Among the most famous and interesting are:

1. Demons They look like people, but only they are huge, with fangs, horns and red skin. Their analogues in Europe are devils. They are very strong and severed by the enemy body parts they grow themselves. In battle, they use a club of iron with spikes. They have the ability to turn into people. It is believed that a person who does not control his anger can turn into They.
2. The demon fox in Japanese mythology is called Kitsune. It is always represented with one, five or nine tails. This animal is able to take the form of a person, has great knowledge and magical abilities. In some tales, Kitsune has the ability to settle in people, create fire and enter people's dreams.
3. Includes the bestiary of Japanese mythology the bull-like chimera of Gyuki, who lives in waterfalls and ponds. She attacks people and drinks their shadows, which leads to the death of a person. Maybe this demon is the face of a beautiful woman.