Discover the stories and teachings of Japanese deities, presented in an accessible way.
Discover the spiritual significance of makomo, the sacred plant used in Shinto rituals at Izumo Grand Shrine and beyond, and its teachings on purification and renewal.
Japanese Gods Encyclopedia Editorial Team
Discover the guardian deities of Japanese pottery and the sacred kiln traditions, and learn the creative and spiritual teachings embodied in the art of ceramics.
Japanese Gods Encyclopedia Editorial Team
Explore the origins and faith of paired Dosojin stone guardians found across Nagano and Azumino, and learn their teachings on safe journeys and marital harmony.
Japanese Gods Encyclopedia Editorial Team
Learn about Amenokoyane, the ancestral god of Shinto prayers, and how the Nakatomi purification rituals teach us the power of words to cleanse and open new paths.
Japanese Gods Encyclopedia Editorial Team
Discover the history of Itsukushima Shrine's floating sanctuary and its great torii gate, and learn the wisdom of living in harmony with nature's tides.
Japanese Gods Encyclopedia Editorial Team
Explore the history and meaning behind the thrilling log-riding ceremony of Suwa Shrine's Onbashira Festival and its teachings on community bonds and renewal.
Japanese Gods Encyclopedia Editorial Team
Discover the folklore of Nurikabe, the invisible wall yokai that blocks travelers at night, and the wisdom it offers about overcoming obstacles in life.
Japanese Gods Encyclopedia Editorial Team
Explore the story of Taizan Fukun, the deity who governs human lifespan in Japanese spiritual tradition, and his teachings on cherishing every moment of life.
Japanese Gods Encyclopedia Editorial Team
Explore the patron deities of Japanese carpenters and the sacred rituals of building, from ridge-raising ceremonies to the spiritual meaning of construction.
Japanese Gods Encyclopedia Editorial Team
Learn about Taasobi, an ancient Japanese ritual that pantomimes the rice-growing cycle to call forth a bountiful harvest through the power of celebratory anticipation.
Japanese Gods Encyclopedia Editorial Team
Discover the Japanese tradition of venerating white serpents as divine messengers, and learn how dragon-snake faith connects to wealth, water gods, and renewal.
Japanese Gods Encyclopedia Editorial Team
Explore the Tsukimachi tradition of gathering under specific moon phases to pray, and discover the spiritual wisdom Japanese people found in moonlit nights.
Japanese Gods Encyclopedia Editorial Team