Questions tagged [shinto]
Questions pertaining to the traditional Japanese polytheistic religion Shinto 神道
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Would Izanami be considered a death or underworld goddess?
Her role as a creation goddess is obvious, but could she be considered as a death goddess because of her link to the underworld? Or have Shintos never really seen it that way?
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Is there a kami of Aokigahara?
I read on a site that Aokigahara have a kami, but when I search on I do not think anything about, does anyone know anything?
I also read once that kamis are affected by the energy of where they live, ...
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If the ox tiger is an unlucky direction, why build an entrance to it?
On the Oni Wikipedia, scrolled down to Demon Gate, it says that in Chinese Taoism and traditional Japanese esoteric cosmology (Onmyōdō), the direction northeast (though the wiki uses northeasterly) is ...
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What is the significance of soy beans in the Japanese custom of Setsubun?
During the Setsubun festival in February, it is customary to 'cast out' roasted soy beans and say,
"Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" ("鬼は外！福は内！", "Oni go out! Blessings come in!").
What is the ...
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Can kitsune die/be killed?
The closest thing I got from looking this up is a game. But I kind of need a non-modern interpretation answer for an idea I'm working on.
In the Edo period (1603–1867), kitsune were seen as witch ...
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Do fox-wives have to give birth under a tree?
Kitsune are born and give birth under a tree. The tree is then connected to the kitsune. The tree will gain power from the kitsune, never getting sick or being infested with worms or bug (don't know ...
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Why 1000 years and not 900 or 800 years for kitsune to ascend to heaven?
After reaching 1,000 years of age gaining its ninth tail, a kitsune turns a golden color, becoming a 'Tenko' (天狐 "heavenly fox"/"celestial fox"), the most powerful form of the kitsune, and then ...
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What is the extent of control over a kitsune?
Kitsune have something called a Hoshi no tama, star ball or kitsune ball. They are white and/or gold orbs. The orb is like a kitsune's life force so they hide it, usually in their mouths or on their ...
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Are there unique names for the different types of Kitsune?
There are thirteen different kinds of Kitsune, each with a corresponding element, listed as follows: Heaven (or Celestial or Prime), Void (or Dark), Wind, Spirit, Fire, Earth, River, Ocean, Mountain, ...
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Is there a difference between a gold fur and a white fur kitsune?
After a kitsune gains its ninth tail, its fur becomes either gold or white. Is there any specific reason why a kitsune would become white instead of gold and vise versa?
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Human and fox offspring in Shinto?
When a kitsune take human form and marries a human, they often have children. When the offspring are human, they inherit abilities (special physical or supernatural qualities). These in turn are ...
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What is the meaning behind Amaterasu-ōmikami meaning what it does?
Amaterasu-ōmikami means "the great august kami (deity) who shines in the heaven." Why is it specifically august? What does the goddess name meaning august mean?
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What else was done to Amaterasu?
In this question, it mentions Amaterasu (Amaterasu-omikami) retreated into her cave after Susanoo (Susano'o) did a bunch of things to her. It does not elaborate further on this, save for the flayed ...
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Are there any female heroines in Shinto mythology?
Female heroines are rare in mythology. In Greek, off the top of my hippocampus, I can only recall one, Atlanta. In Chinese folklore, possibly the most popularly known, Hua/Fa Mulan. Does Shinto ...
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How were sun-showers viewed?
A sun-shower is when it rains while the sun is shining.
In Japanese culture/Shinto Mythology, sun-showers were/are believed to be the result of two Kitsune (fox spirits) getting married. It was ...
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Human become Kami in death if they possess the qualities of Kami in life. Kami have both good and evil qualities. What does this mean?
Looking for the Shino (Japanese) equivalent of nymphs and natures spirits, I found Kami.
they can also be the spirits of venerated dead persons. Many kami are considered the ancient ancestors of ...
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Why did Izanami speaking first cause her and Izanagi bad luck with procreation?
In Shintoism, there is a legend that says two gods, Izanagi and Izanami, walked around a pillar. The goddess spoke to the god, then the god spoke to the goddess. They had a few kids but were ...
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Is there a Japanese equivalent to the three fates?
I am not looking for an exact equivalent(i.e. Shinto god/goddess/gods/goddesses of fate), but if there is, by all means, please let us know.
I am looking more along the lines of, do/did those who ...
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What is the Japanese human origin myth?
How did Shinto (the traditional Japanese polytheistic religion) explain human origin?
Also, does it have a flood myth?
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Japanese Trickster Demons
Are there any trickster demons in Japanese mythology, I am aware of the somewhat tricksy Japanese god Susanoo-no-Mikoto, but are there any demons known for tricking people in Japanese mythology?
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Do the gods Ameteratsu and Inari have any consorts?
The goddess Ameteratsu is the Japanese Sun goddess and the queen of the deities of the Shinto pantheon. Inari is the Japanese deity of agriculture and food.Both of these gods are very popular in the ...
user1385
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Are there any sort of chief pantheon in Japanese mythology? Who do they consist of?
I've read some of the more well known ones like Izanagi and Izanami...Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, Susanoo, and Orochi... I mostly want to know about the Shinto side but Japanese Buddhism legends are good ...
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Why was Amaterasu so angered by the flayed horse that Susanoo threw at her?
One rather memorable event in the Shinto creation narrative is that Amaterasu retreated into her cave (the Ama-no-Iwato) after Susanoo did a bunch of awful things to her. One of the things Susanoo did ...
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