Japanese Cat Goddess
Griselda Hamiter
This is a list of divinities native to Japanese beliefs and religious traditions. Many of these are from Shinto, while others were imported via Buddhism or Taoism and were "integrated" into Japanese mythology and folklore.
The goddess Kichijōten (吉祥天), also known as Kisshoutennyo, is sometimes considered to be one of the seven gods,[41] replacing either Jurōjin or Fukurokuju.[42] She embodies happiness, fertility and beauty. Daikoku sometimes manifests as a female known as Daikokunyo (大黒女) or Daikokutennyo (大黒天女).[43] When Kisshoutennyo is counted among the seven Fukujin[42] and Daikoku is regarded in feminine form,[43] all three of the Hindu Tridevi goddesses are represented in the Fukujin.
The Green Goddess Salad recipe by Baked By Melissa has gone viral on social media a few months ago. The dressing is basically a green pesto with many green veggies that you have on hand. Since I love recreating food trends with my own twist, I decided to make my version incorporating Japanese flavours. The original version is already very tasty and fulfilling. Adding Japanese elements like nori sheet, miso paste, and edamame definitely elevates the recipe and enhances the wow factor!
The best thing about this recipe is that no cooking is involved. Just chop, blend the ingredients and combine them all together. Moreover, it is a healthy and balanced meal with high fiber from the veggies, healthy fat from the avocado and protein from the edamame and miso paste.
The salad is perfect to enjoy with some nori seaweed, you can roll it into mini sushi. Or enjoy it as a dip for your chips or rice crackers! Just be careful, since the dressing tastes so heavenly and addicting you might not be able to stop eating.
A take on the viral TikTok green goddess salad, can be made in 20 minutes. Incorporating some Japanese elements like miso paste, edamame beans and nori sheet helps elevate the dish and makes it a filling and nourishing meal!
Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, is one of the most beloved and widely venerated deities in Japanese Buddhism. She is the Japanese manifestation of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, known for her boundless compassion and her unwavering commitment to relieving the suffering of all sentient beings. Devotees across Japan turn to Kannon in times of difficulty, believing that she will hear their prayers and come to their aid. Her gentle yet powerful presence can be felt in countless temples and shrines throughout the country, where her statues and images serve as focal points for prayer and meditation.
The worship of Kannon in Japan can be traced back to the introduction of Buddhism from China during the Asuka Period in the 6th and 7th centuries. Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, was already a central figure in Mahayana Buddhism, and his veneration spread rapidly throughout Japan. Over time, the name Avalokiteshvara was translated into the Japanese Kannon, and the deity began to take on distinctively Japanese characteristics.
In the earliest Buddhist texts, Avalokiteshvara was often depicted as a male figure. However, as Buddhism spread across Asia, the bodhisattva's iconography evolved, and in China, Avalokiteshvara began to be portrayed as a female deity known as Guanyin. This feminization of Avalokiteshvara also took hold in Japan, where Kannon came to be revered as a goddess of mercy and compassion.
One of the most striking aspects of Kannon in Japanese Buddhism is the sheer variety of forms in which she is depicted. According to the Lotus Sutra, Kannon has the ability to assume any form necessary to help those in need, and this has given rise to a rich iconographic tradition. Some of the most common forms of Kannon in Japan include:
Other forms of Kannon include Bato Kannon, who is depicted with a horse's head, and Jibo Kannon, the Merciful Mother Kannon, who is often shown holding a small child. Each of these manifestations highlights a different facet of Kannon's compassionate nature and her ability to respond to the diverse needs of her followers.
In Japanese Buddhist tradition, Kannon is revered as a savior and protector, particularly for those facing perilous situations such as natural disasters, illnesses, and dangers at sea. Fishermen and sailors have long prayed to Kannon for safe journeys and bountiful catches, and many coastal communities in Japan have erected statues of Kannon overlooking the ocean.
One famous example is the Kannon statue at Hasedera Temple in Kamakura, which stands over 30 feet tall and is said to watch over the nearby waters. According to legend, this statue miraculously floated across the sea from China, guiding ships to safety and bringing prosperity to the region.
Many depictions of Kannon in Japanese art and sculpture include symbolic attributes that convey her compassionate nature and her role as a bodhisattva. Some of the most common attributes associated with Kannon include:
By understanding the deeper meanings behind these attributes, devotees can connect more fully with Kannon's compassionate essence and draw inspiration from her example on the path to enlightenment.
Throughout Japanese history, numerous legends and miracle tales have grown up around the figure of Kannon, attesting to her enduring popularity and the deep faith that her devotees place in her compassionate intervention. One well-known legend tells of a young girl named Anjo who, after being falsely accused of theft, prayed fervently to Kannon for help. Miraculously, the real thief was revealed, and Anjo's innocence was proven, thanks to Kannon's divine intercession.
Another famous tale relates how Kannon appeared in a dream to the Buddhist monk Gyoki, instructing him to carve a statue of her likeness from a large camphor tree. Gyoki did as he was told, and the resulting statue, known as the Ichimen-Juichimen Kannon, became a highly revered object of worship, credited with numerous miracles and healings.
Kannon's immense popularity in Japan is reflected in the countless temples and shrines dedicated to her throughout the country. Many of these sacred sites have become important pilgrimage destinations, attracting millions of visitors each year. Some of the most notable Kannon temples and pilgrimage routes include:
Despite the many changes that Japanese society has undergone in recent centuries, Kannon remains an enduring presence in the religious and cultural life of the nation. Her gentle, compassionate image continues to resonate with millions of Japanese Buddhists, who turn to her in times of trouble and uncertainty.
In addition to her traditional roles as a protector and savior, Kannon has also taken on new significance in modern Japan as a symbol of peace, healing, and social welfare. Many Japanese organizations and initiatives dedicated to helping the sick, the elderly, and the underprivileged have adopted Kannon as their patron and guiding spirit.
As Japan confronts the challenges of an aging population, economic instability, and a rapidly changing world, the compassionate message of Kannon remains as relevant as ever. Through her timeless example of selfless love and her commitment to alleviating suffering, Kannon continues to inspire and comfort countless Japanese Buddhists, just as she has for over a thousand years.
Amid flickering torchlight and chanting by priests, Emperor Naruhito emerged from behind the white curtains of the shrine at around 3:00am on Friday (1800 GMT on Thursday) concluding a ceremony observed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and 400 dignitaries in an outdoor pavilion.
Observance of the ritual has prompted lawsuits from critics ranging from communists to Christians, who say it smacks of the militaristic past and violates the constitutional separation of church and state, as the government pays the cost of 2.7 billion yen ($25m).
But the government and scholars say the ritual is a meal during which the emperor offers foods ranging from rice and millet to abalone and persimmons to the goddess in the final ceremony that seals his new status as emperor.
Preparations began months ago with the construction of a special shrine compound within the palace grounds and later, the harvest of rice from two fields chosen by heating a turtle shell and reading the pattern of cracks.
Soon after sunset, in scenes broadcast live on television, Naruhito was ushered through dark wooden corridors, shielded by a ceremonial umbrella and preceded by courtiers holding torches. Empress Masako followed in 12-layered white robes.
After disappearing behind white curtains into a dimly-lit room, kneeling by the side of piled straw mats draped in white, the emperor accompanied only by two shrine maidens, arranged offerings for the goddess on 32 oakleaf plates.
In the legendary account of Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters), the god Izanagi and goddess Izanami create the islands of Japan. Izanami goes on to give birth to a host of deities of natural phenomena like the sea, mountains, grass, and wind, as well as those of ships and food. In giving birth to the fire deity Kagutsuchi, however, she burns her genitals and dies of her injuries. Grieving and alone, Izanagi seeks her out in Yomi, the realm of the dead. Izanami tells him he should not look at her, but he does not follow her words and discovers that she has become a rotting corpse covered in maggots.
In ancient Japan, place names conveyed the characteristics of the land. Himuka (日向) represents present-day Miyazaki Prefecture, facing (向かう) the bounty of the sun (日) on its eastern Nichinan Coast by the waters of the Pacific Ocean. From the perspective of the central province of Yamato, it was also viewed as an auspicious location; by an alternate reading, Himuka is where the sun (日) travels (向かう) west from Yamato.
Tachibana takes its name from an evergreen tree with brightly colored citrus fruit. In the second volume of Kojiki, it is written that the tree was brought from Tokoyo, a land of eternal youth beyond the sea. In other words, Tachibana in Himuka is the total opposite of the gloomy land of the dead, and the ideal location for purification, which was why the three deities came into existence there. Izanagi was overjoyed at their birth, placing Amaterasu as ruler of the heavenly plain.
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