D E I T Y I N D E X

Deity Index

The gods of the Kojiki’s Age of the Gods, with readings, roles and the chapters where they appear.

Ame-no-Minakanushi
天之御中主神
The very first deity, lord of the center of the cosmos; one of the three creator gods.
Ch.1 The Parting of Heaven and Earth
Takamimusuhi
高御産巣日神
God of the generative force ‘musuhi’; a guiding power of Heaven.
Ch.1 The Parting of Heaven and EarthCh.11 The Ceding of the LandCh.12 The Descent of the Heavenly Grandson
Kamimusuhi
神産巣日神
A deity of generation and revival.
Ch.1 The Parting of Heaven and EarthCh.10 The White Hare of Inaba
Izanagi
伊邪那岐命
Also: Izanagi-no-Mikoto
Father god of the land and of the three noble children.
Ch.2 The Seven Generations of the Age of GodsCh.3 The Birth of the LandCh.4 The Birth of the Gods and the Fire GodCh.5 The Land of YomiCh.6 The Purification and the Three Noble Children
Izanami
伊邪那美命
Also: Izanami-no-Mikoto
Mother goddess of creation; later ruler of Yomi.
Ch.2 The Seven Generations of the Age of GodsCh.3 The Birth of the LandCh.4 The Birth of the Gods and the Fire GodCh.5 The Land of Yomi
Kagutsuchi
火之迦具土神
God of fire; enshrined as a guardian against fire.
Ch.4 The Birth of the Gods and the Fire God
Amaterasu
天照大御神
Also: Amaterasu-Ōmikami
The sun goddess; ruler of Heaven and ancestress of the imperial line.
Ch.6 The Purification and the Three Noble ChildrenCh.7 The Oath (Ukei)Ch.8 The Heavenly Rock CaveCh.11 The Ceding of the LandCh.12 The Descent of the Heavenly Grandson
Tsukuyomi
月読命
The moon deity; ruler of the night.
Ch.6 The Purification and the Three Noble Children
Susanoo
須佐之男命
Also: Susanoo-no-Mikoto
The storm god; troublemaker turned dragon-slaying hero.
Ch.6 The Purification and the Three Noble ChildrenCh.7 The Oath (Ukei)Ch.8 The Heavenly Rock CaveCh.9 Yamata-no-Orochi, the Eight-Forked Serpent
Ame-no-Oshihomimi
天忍穂耳命
First god born of the oath; father of Ninigi, ancestor of the imperial house.
Ch.7 The Oath (Ukei)Ch.12 The Descent of the Heavenly Grandson
Munakata goddesses
宗像三女神
Three sea goddesses born of the oath; enshrined at Munakata.
Ch.7 The Oath (Ukei)
Ame-no-Uzume
天宇受売命
Goddess whose dance drew Amaterasu out; ancestress of the arts.
Ch.8 The Heavenly Rock CaveCh.12 The Descent of the Heavenly Grandson
Ame-no-Tajikarao
天手力男神
God of strength who opened the rock cave.
Ch.8 The Heavenly Rock Cave
Kushinada-hime
櫛名田比売
Maiden saved from the serpent; Susanoo’s wife.
Ch.9 Yamata-no-Orochi, the Eight-Forked Serpent
Yamata-no-Orochi
八岐大蛇
The eight-headed serpent slain by Susanoo.
Ch.9 Yamata-no-Orochi, the Eight-Forked Serpent
Okuninushi
大国主神
Also: Ōnamuji
Nation-builder of Izumo; god of marriage and healing.
Ch.10 The White Hare of InabaCh.11 The Ceding of the Land
Yagami-hime
八上比売
Princess of Inaba who chooses Okuninushi.
Ch.10 The White Hare of Inaba
Takemikazuchi
建御雷神
Warrior god of thunder and blade; enshrined at Kashima.
Ch.11 The Ceding of the Land
Takeminakata
建御名方神
Resists the ceding and loses; enshrined at Suwa.
Ch.11 The Ceding of the Land
Kotoshironushi
事代主神
God of oracles; consents to the ceding; linked with Ebisu.
Ch.11 The Ceding of the Land
Ninigi
邇邇芸命
The heavenly grandson; direct ancestor of the imperial house.
Ch.12 The Descent of the Heavenly Grandson
Sarutabiko
猿田毘古神
Radiant earthly god who guides the descent.
Ch.12 The Descent of the Heavenly Grandson

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