Gods and Goddesses of Japanese Myth Quiz

Answer: Kami

"Kami" or "Gami" literally means God, deity, spirit. "Shinigami" means Death God or Soul Reaper as in "Bleach" manga. As for "Tenshi", it means angel. "Tianzhu" is the Chinese word for God.

Answer: Izanagi & Izanami

Izanagi-no-Mikoto, the Lord Izanagi, is the brother and husband of Izanami-no-Mikoto. Together, they gave birth to the islands of Japan and to the Gods and Goddesses. Izanami is also considered as the Divine Mother. Susanoo is the God of Storm while Kushinada-Hime (Princess Kushinada) is his wife. Kronos & Rhea are the Titans of Greek myth.

Answer: Hachiman

In Japanese myth, Hachiman is the God of War and the divine protector of Japan and its people. He is also worshipped as the God of Agriculture. Kami-no-Kaze or Fûjin is the God of Wind. He is often depicted as a demon wearing leopard skin. As for Kagu-tsuchi, he is the God of Fire and the son of Izanami-no-Mikoto.

The latter died while giving birth to Kagu-tsuchi. Suijin is the God of Water.

Answer: Amaterasu, Susanoo & Tsukuyomi

After Izanagi-no-Mikoto goes to retrieve Izanami-no-Mikoto from Yomi (the underworld), he is stained. When he washes his left eye, Amaterasu is born and becomes the Sun Goddess. From his right eye, Tsukuyomi is born and becomes the Moon God while Susanoo, the Storm God, is born when he washes his nose. Together, they form the noble children of Izanagi.

Answer: Sarutahiko

The God of Earth Sarutahiko Okami is also considered as the symbol of strength and guidance which makes him the patron of aikido.

Answer: Benzaiten

Benzaiten, also known as Benten, is the only Goddess among the seven Lucky Gods. She is the equivalent of the Hindu Goddess Saraswati.

Answer: Tsukuyomi

Tsukuyomi is the Moon God, the ruler of the Night, the brother and husband of Amaterasu the Sun Goddess. When Tsukuyomi was invited to climb the celestial ladder, he shared the heavens with Amaterasu, but when Tsukuyomi killed Uke Mochi the Goddess of Food, an angry Amaterasu split the heavens, separating the sun from the moon.

Answer: Amaterasu

After a fight with Susanoo, Amaterasu hides in the Heavenly Rock Cave and plunges the world into darkness, as she is the sun. The Goddess Ame-no-Uzume and other Gods place a mirror in front of the cave's entrance and start dancing and celebrating. Hearing the noise, Amaterasu steps out of the cave and sees a beautiful Goddess, not knowing it is her own reflection. Because of her stepping out of the cave, the light illuminates the world again.

Answer: Susanoo

When Susanoo arrives in the village Izumo, he learns that Yamato no Orochi is about to eat the last daughter of a poor family. He proposes to kill the dragon in exchange for the daughter's hand. Eventually, Susanoo kills the dragon and he marries the girl, who becomes Kushinada-Hime.

Answer: Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi and Susanoo

In "Naruto Shipuuden", these three Gods play an important part. Their names are used for the three powers of the Mangekyo Sharingan. Amaterasu is a fire release technique for which the flame is black, while Tsukuyomi is one of the most powerful genjutsu. Susanoo, being the third power, is the ability of creating a humanoid being which protects and fights on behalf of the person.