Kami (Shinto deity)
Takaokami no Kami
高龗神
Takaokami no Kami is a kami connected with water and rain, enshrined at the Hongū of Kifune Jinja in Kyoto. The kami is linked with a faith that wishes for the blessing of water that supports daily life and for rain to fall in due measure.
This introduction follows the guidance of Kifune Jinja. It does not treat the dragon deities of various places as all being other names of Takaokami no Kami.
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
What kind of kami?
The character 龗 represents a dragon. Kifune Jinja introduces Takaokami no Kami as the kami who governs the supply of water, and prayers both for rain and for long rains to end have been handed down.
Source: 貴船神社
Turning the heart to the water of daily life
It is a faith that gives thanks for the rain that moistens the fields and for the water used every day, and wishes for the blessing of water to be kept. It is explained that at Kifune, since ancient times, horses of different colors were offered when seeking rain and when seeking fair weather.
Source: 貴船神社
The connection with Kuraokami no Kami
Kifune Jinja's guide also explains that Takaokami no Kami and Kuraokami no Kami (闇龗神) are the same kami. On this site, the introduction of Takaokami no Kami at Kifune and the introduction of Kuraokami no Kami (闇淤加美神), who appears in the Kojiki, can be read separately, each following its own sources.
Source: 貴船神社
An example of a chant (in Japanese)
祓え給い、清め給え、神（かむ）ながら守り給い、幸（さきわ）え給え
Related shrines and temples
Related kami and buddhas
Sources (in Japanese)
- 貴船神社「御祭神・御神徳」（2026-10-16 確認）