Here you’ll find 14 Japanese gods that start with H, organized from “Hachiman” to “Honoikazuchi”. Many are major Shinto kami tied to war, storms, craftsmanship, and local cults across Japan.

Japanese gods that start with H are Japanese deities whose names begin with the letter H. Hachiman is a notable example, widely worshipped as a protector of warriors and communities.

Below you’ll find the table with Name, Reading, Domain, Symbols, Shrine/Region, and Notes.

Name: The principal Romanized name of each deity, so you can identify and search for the specific kami quickly.

Reading: Hepburn romanization and pronunciation hints that help you say names correctly and match shrine signage or guidebooks.

Domain: Brief role or sphere, usually one to three words, so you can spot a deity’s main function at a glance.

Symbols: One to three iconographic items that represent the deity, useful for recognizing statues, emblems, or shrine offerings.

Shrine/Region: The main shrine or regional association so you can connect each deity to a location or local tradition.

Notes: Short cultural or historical context that highlights syncretism, festivals, or notable myths relevant to your interests.

Japanese gods that start with H

NameJapanese (kanji/kana)DomainSymbols
Hachiman八幡神 はちまんしんWar, archery, imperial protectionDoves, bow and arrow, tomoe
Haniyasu-hime埴安媛神 はにやすひめのかみEarth, soil, potteryClay, pottery, fields
Haniyasu-hiko埴安彦神 はにやすひこのかみEarth, soil, fertilityClay, soil, fields
Haraido no Ōkami祓戸大神 はらえどのおおかみPurification, exorcismRiver, waterfall, ocean
Hayakitsu-hiko速開津日子神 はやあきつひこのかみRiver mouths, estuariesSwirling water, straits
Hayakitsu-hime速開津比売神 はやあきつひめのかみOcean currents, whirlpoolsTides, ocean floor
Hayamatsumi羽山津見神 はやまつみのかみMountain passes, bordersMountain path, forest
Hikohohodemi彦火火出見尊 ひこほほでみのみことGrains, imperial lineageFish hook, rice stalks
Hime-ōkami比売大神 ひめおおかみConsort goddess, protectionVaries by shrine
Hi-no-Kagutsuchi火之迦具土神 ひのかぐつちのかみFire, volcanoes, blacksmithsFire, forge, volcano
Hiruko蛭子 ひるこMisfortune, sea, fishermenBoat, fishing rod
Hitokotonushi一言主神 ひとことぬしのかみOracles, divine wordsMountain, single word
Hoderi火照命 ほでりのみことSea, fishingFish, fish hook
Honoikazuchi火雷 ほのいかづちThunder, fireLightning, flames

Descriptions

Hachiman
One of Japan’s most popular deities, a syncretic god of war and divine protector of Japan. He is identified with the deified spirit of the 15th Emperor Ōjin. His primary shrines are Usa Jingū and Iwashimizu Hachimangū.
Haniyasu-hime
A goddess of the earth and soil, born from the excrement of Izanami. Along with her male counterpart Haniyasu-hiko, she represents the fertility of the land, vital for agriculture and pottery-making. Mentioned in the *Kojiki*.
Haniyasu-hiko
A god of the earth and soil, born from the excrement of Izanami. He and his consort, Haniyasu-hime, are prayed to for fertile land for farming and for success in crafting pottery. Attested in the *Kojiki*.
Haraido no Ōkami
A group of four deities responsible for purification rituals (*harae*). They collectively wash away sins and impurities from the land and its people, carrying them to the underworld to be destroyed.
Hayakitsu-hiko
A god of river mouths where freshwater meets the sea. He is one of the Haraido no Ōkami, deities of purification who wash away sins and impurities into the ocean. Mentioned in the Ōharae no Kotoba prayer.
Hayakitsu-hime
A goddess who swallows the impurities carried out to sea. As one of the Haraido no Ōkami, she plays a crucial role in purification rites, ensuring that defilements are completely removed from the world.
Hayamatsumi
A kami of the mountains, specifically of their lower slopes and passes. Born from the excrement of Izanami, this deity represents the wild, untamed nature of mountains and the connections between different regions.
Hikohohodemi
A kami of agriculture, also known as Yamasachi-hiko (“Mountain’s Fortune”). His myth involves losing his brother’s fish hook and traveling to the sea god’s palace. He is the grandfather of Japan’s legendary first emperor, Jimmu.
Hime-ōkami
Great Princess Deity, a term for a principal female kami at a shrine, often the consort or daughter of the main male deity. Notable examples are enshrined at Kasuga Taisha and Usa Jingū.
Hi-no-Kagutsuchi
The kami of fire. His birth fatally burned his mother, Izanami. In his rage, his father Izanagi cut him into pieces, from which many new deities were born. He is worshipped at shrines to prevent fires and by blacksmiths.
Hiruko
The first child of Izanagi and Izanami, born without bones (“leech child”) due to a ritual error. Set adrift on the sea, in later folklore he washed ashore and became Ebisu, one of the Seven Lucky Gods and patron of fishermen.
Hitokotonushi
A kami whose divine will is revealed in a single word (“hitokoto”). A prophetic deity of Mount Katsuragi who is said to speak truth, whether good or ill. Encounters with Emperor Yūryaku are recorded in the *Kojiki*.
Hoderi
Known as Umisachi-hiko (“Sea’s Fortune”), he was the elder brother of Hikohohodemi. After a conflict over a magical fish hook, he swore allegiance to his younger brother. He is considered an ancestor of the Hayato people of southern Kyushu.
Honoikazuchi
The “Fire-Thunder” deity, one of the eight Raijin (thunder gods) born from the decaying body of Izanami in Yomi, the underworld. This kami was manifested from her chest. He represents the destructive power of lightning combined with fire.
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