Inori no Mori祈りの杜working title

Deity of shinbutsu shūgō (kami–buddha syncretism)

Sumiyoshi Daimyōjin

住吉大明神すみよしだいみょうじん

Sumiyoshi Taisha explains Sumiyoshi Ōkami as the kami who appeared when Izanagi no Mikoto performed purification (misogi) in the sea, and introduces them as kami who govern purification (harae). Because of their deep connection with the sea, they are also linked with faith that prays for safety at sea.

This introduction is based on materials published by shrines, temples, and schools, starting with Shōhōin. It is summarized within the scope of the beliefs and traditions those materials convey, and does not present explanations or customs common to all schools, shrines, and temples.

English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む

Sumiyoshi Ōkami, kami of the sea and of purification

Sumiyoshi Taisha explains Sumiyoshi Ōkami as the kami who appeared when Izanagi no Mikoto performed purification (misogi) in the sea, and introduces them as kami who govern purification (harae). Because of their deep connection with the sea, they are also linked with faith that prays for safety at sea.

Source: 住吉大社

Three kami who appear at the bottom, middle, and surface of the sea

In the Sumiyoshi myth, during the purification, Sokotsutsunoo no Mikoto, Nakatsutsunoo no Mikoto, and Uwatsutsunoo no Mikoto appear from the bottom, middle, and surface of the sea. The name Sumiyoshi Sanjin (the three Sumiyoshi kami) refers to these three. The story of kami born in the sea conveys a faith in purification and renewal.

Source: 住吉大社

Faith in the Thirty Guardian Kami, who take turns day by day

The Thirty Guardian Kami (Sanjū Banjin) are a belief of the fusion of kami and buddhas (shinbutsu shūgō) in which thirty kami divide the days among themselves to protect the land and the Buddhist teachings. In Shōhōin's list, each kami is assigned a day from the first to the thirtieth. This set is handed down in the Tendai and Nichiren traditions and others, and the present-day explanations of the enshrined kami at shrines of the same name need to be distinguished from historical views of the original buddhas.

Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院

Kami who come to hear the sutra: the origin story told by Shinjōji

Shinjōji, a temple of the Nichiren school, introduces a tradition that while Nichiren Shōnin was reading the Lotus Sutra on Mount Hiei, a different person visited him each day and revealed themselves to be the Thirty Guardian Kami. This is the origin story of the "Thirty Guardian Kami who protect the Lotus Sutra" taught by that temple. It is not treated as a historical event common to all faith in the Thirty Guardian Kami.

Source: 日蓮宗 玉蓮山真成寺

Rotating protection that supports daily faith

Shinjōji introduces the Thirty Guardian Kami as guardian deities of the fusion of kami and buddhas who divide their duty day by day. What the temple values is the faith that they protect the Lotus Sutra and those who believe in its teachings. This explanation is for understanding their role as the Thirty Guardian Kami, in addition to the divine virtues handed down at each shrine.

Source: 日蓮宗 玉蓮山真成寺

Related shrines and temples

Related kami and buddhas

Sources (in Japanese)