5. Birth of Kami

”Kami” is a Japanese word referring to gods, spirits, and sacred presences in Japanese belief. The unit used to count Kami is “Hashira.”

Amenominakanushi

Japan has so many Kami that you don’t need to remember them all!
Just read the manga and find your favorite one!

Illustration from Japanese mythology showing the birth of Kami after Izanaki and Izanami created the land. The image depicts Kami associated with dwellings such as houses, roofs, gates, wind, stone, sand, as well as water-related Kami representing rivers and the sea.

Japanese mythology illustration showing various Kami associated with nature and human activities, including tree, wind, mountain, field, fire, crops, and ships. The image represents the expansion of Kami into natural elements and production.

They gave birth to many Kami as husband and wife.

After completing the creation of the land, Izanaki and Izanami began the birth of Kami and gave birth to many divine beings.

Kami associated with dwellings

–Ōkotooshionokami (Kami symbolizing the birth of Kami)

–Iwatsuchibikonokami (Kami of stones and sand)

–Iwasuhimenokami (Kami of stones and sand)

–Ōtohiwakenokami (Kami of the gate)

– Amenohukionokami (Kami of the roof)

–Ōyabikonokami (Kami of the house and building)

–Kazamokutsuwakenooshionokami (Kami of the wind)

Kami of the Water

–Ōwatatsuminokami (Kami of the sea)

–Hayaakitsuhikonokami (Kami of the river)

–Hayaakitsuhimenokami (Kami of the river)

Kami associated with nature

–Shinatsuhikonokami (Kami of the wind)

–Kukunochinokami (Kami of the tree)

–Ōyamatsuminokami (Kami of the mountain)

–Kayanohimenokami (Kami of the field)

Kami of production and creation

–Torinoiwakusufunenokami (Kami of the ship)

–Ōgetsuhimenokami (Kami of the crops )

–Hinokagutsuchinokami (Kami of the fire)

Tokura

Some of the Kami in this episode appear only here and never show up again, but I drew each one with care and affection. I spent a lot of time researching their background, meaning, and connection to shrines as I worked on them. I feel attached to every one of them, and I especially like their subtle expressions.