In the Shinto religion of Japan, gods are known as kami. Kami refers to the spirits or phenomena that are worshipped in the religion. They are sacred forces that inspire a sense of wonder, awe and gratitude in the believer. Kami are not perfect – they sometimes make mistakes and behave badly. However, they are close to human beings and accessible. Kami are an integral part of the Japanese way of life and imbue nature with sacred wonder and beauty.
Types of Kami
There are several main categories of kami:
Nature Kami
These are kami associated with forces of nature. They include:
- Amaterasu – Goddess of the sun and universe
- Tsukuyomi – God of the moon
- Susanoo – God of storms and seas
- Owatatsumi – God of oceans and magic
- Suijin – God of water
- Inari – God of rice, agriculture and foxes
- Izanagi – God who created Japan and many deities
- Izanami – Goddess who created Japan and many deities
Nature kami are worshipped at shrines and sites in nature such as mountains, forests, rivers, seas, rice paddies, and other places.
Ancestor Kami
These are the spirits of ancestors who provide protection and guidance. Ancestor kami include:
- Okuninushi – Great land master and god of magic and medicine
- Omoikane – God of wisdom and intelligence
- Toshitoku – God of harvests
- Toyouke – Goddess of food, clothing and housing
- Ukemochi – Goddess of food
Ancestor kami are worshipped at clan shrines and family altars.
Village and Occupation Kami
These kami protect areas such as villages, towns, and cities and occupations such as agriculture, fishing, warriors, and crafts. Some examples are:
- Tenjin – Patron of scholarship
- Bishamonten – God of warriors
- Ebisu – God of fishermen and work
- Daikokuten – God of wealth and commerce
- Benzaiten – Goddess of flowing things like water, words, speech and music
These kami may have shrines or altars in the respective villages or workplaces.
Creative and Cultural Kami
Some kami are associated with cultural achievements and creative endeavors. These include:
- Fukurokuju – God of wisdom, luck and longevity
- Hotei – God of contentment and abundance
- Jurōjin – God of longevity
- Benzaiten – Goddess of music, words and knowledge
- Hachiman – God of war
- Ninigi-no-Mikoto – Grandson of Amaterasu, sent to earth to rule Japan
Shrines to these kami may be found across Japan, especially in locations associated with their roles.
Important Kami Narratives
Some key narratives provide background on major kami:
Izanagi and Izanami
The creation myth revolves around the kami Izanagi and his sister/wife Izanami. They were given a spear by the other gods and tasked with creating the islands of Japan. When they stirred the ocean with the spear, droplets fell back into the water and formed Japan’s islands. Izanagi and Izanami then populated the islands with gods. However, Izanami died giving birth to the fire god Kagutsuchi. Izanagi was grief stricken and killed Kagutsuchi. He then descended to the underworld to retrieve Izanami, but she had already eaten there so could not return permanently.
Amaterasu and Susanoo
Amaterasu was the powerful sun goddess born from Izanagi washing his face. Her brother Susanoo was the storm god born from Izanagi washing his nose. Susanoo became rude and destructive, ruining Amaterasu’s rice fields and killing one of her attendants. Amaterasu became angry and hid in a cave, plunging the earth into darkness. The other gods eventually lured her out of the cave with a mirror, returning light to the world.
Ninigi-no-Mikoto
Amaterasu’s grandson Ninigi-no-Mikoto was sent down to earth to rule Japan, bringing with him three sacred treasures – a sword, jewel and mirror. He married a harvest goddess and through their descendants, the Imperial family was established. The sacred mirror is enshrined today at the Ise Jingu, the most sacred Shinto shrine.
Places to Worship Kami
There are several sacred places where Japanese people worship and pay respects to kami:
Shrines
Shrines, or jinja, are sacred spaces where kami reside. There are public shrines for well known kami and smaller shrines in homes and villages. Torii gates mark the entrance to a shrine. Visitors purify themselves at a water basin before approaching the main shrine building. People pray, make offerings and seek blessings from the kami.
Sacred Natural Sites
Certain mountains, forests, caves and other sites in nature are seen as sacred dwelling places of kami. People will hike up mountains or trek to remote areas to worship at these spots.
Home Altars
Kami-dana are home altars where offerings are made to ancestor spirits and family protective kami. They are passed down through generations and connect families to their kami guardians.
Festivals for the Kami
Various festivals and rituals are held throughout the year to honor and worship major kami. Some examples are:
| Festival | Kami Honored | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Aoi Matsuri | Susanoo | Held in Kyoto each May. Features a parade with people dressed as samurai and servants from the Heian court. |
| Gion Matsuri | Susanoo and many other kami | Famous festival in Kyoto in July with massive floats and parades. |
| Tenjin Matsuri | Sugawara Michizane | Osaka festival in July honoring the kami of scholarship with water parades and cultural events. |
| Chichibu Night Festival | Various local kami | Lively nighttime festival in Saitama in December known for its huge float parade lit with lanterns. |
These vibrant festivals let people honor and share gratitude with the kami through revelry, food, and entertainment.
Interacting with Kami
Shinto followers engage in various practices to connect with kami. These include:
Purification
Ritual purification with water at a shrine’s basin is done before approaching kami. This cleans the body and mind of impurities.
Prayer
Sincere prayers are offered while at shrines and sacred sites. Hand clapping draws the kami’s attention. People may state their respect and make requests for blessings.
Offerings
Followers present offerings when visiting shrines and altars. Common offerings include money, rice, drinks, incense, flowers, and symbolic food or objects relating to the kami.
Festivals
The lively festivals full of music, dancing, parades, food and more are a joyous way to engage with the kami and create community.
Pilgrimage
Many followers go on pilgrimages to visit sacred shrines and sites of great natural beauty where kami are present.
Kami in Modern Japan
While not strictly adhered to, Shinto remains an important undercurrent in Japanese society. People often visit shrines for holidays, festivals and life events without following formal Shinto doctrine. Elements of kami worship and animism persist in practices such as:
- Visiting shrines for New Year’s
- Praying to ancestors or protective kami when starting a business
- Seeking blessings for a new baby
- Asking for success before exams
- Purifying a new house
- Appreciating cherry blossoms as a sign of nature’s majesty
The kami therefore remain integrated into the fabric of Japanese life, binding people to their heritage, communities, values and environment.
Conclusion
Kami are the divine, mysterious forces at the heart of Shinto faith in Japan. Ranging from powerful nature gods to more minor spirits, they inhabit sacred sites across the landscape. People interact with the kami to show devotion, gain blessings for life endeavors, and celebrate the wonders of nature and the world. Kami provide the Japanese people with a vibrant spiritual connection to their history, values and environment.