This list includes 18 Japanese gods that start with I, from “Ichikishimahime” to “Izuna Gongen”. They range from major shrine kami to regional and folk deities often tied to specific landscapes and rituals.
Japanese gods that start with I are Shinto and folk deities whose Hepburn-romanized names begin with the letter “I”. Many, such as “Ichikishimahime” or “Izuna Gongen,” connect closely to shrines, mountains, or local ritual practice.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Alternate names, Domain, Symbols, and Shrine/Region.
Name: The standard Hepburn romanization and common English form of each deity, helping you identify entries and search reliably.
Alternate names: Other historical, regional, or variant spellings and titles, so you can cross-reference sources and recognize different usages.
Domain: A concise phrase describing the deity’s main sphere or function, letting you quickly understand their traditional role.
Symbols: One to three iconographic items or animals associated with the deity, useful when identifying statues, emblems, or ritual objects.
Shrine/Region: Principal shrines, geographic areas, or localities where the deity is venerated, guiding your research or travel plans.
Japanese gods that start with I
| Name | Japanese (kanji/kana) | Domain | Symbols |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ichikishimahime | 市杵島姫命 | Sea, prosperity, arts | Biwa (lute), water, dragon |
| Idaten | 韋駄天 | Monasteries, law, speed | Armor, spear, running posture |
| Ihiyo-no-futana | 伊豫之二名島 | The island of Shikoku | Four faces, island |
| Ikakoyahime | 鹿屋野比売命 | Divination, prophecy, archery | Deer shoulder bone, bow |
| Ikazuchi no Kami | 雷神 / 八雷神 | Thunder, lightning, weather | Drums, storm clouds, lightning |
| Ikushimatarushima | 生島足島神 | The land of Japan, life | The land itself, life force |
| Ikutsuhikone | 活津日子根命 | Life, sun | Sunlight, life essence |
| Inari | 稲荷大神 | Rice, prosperity, foxes | Fox (kitsune), torii gates, rice sheaf |
| Isetsuhiko | 伊勢津彦神 | Wind, Ise province | Wind, rock |
| Isotakeru | 五十猛神 | Trees, forestry, land development | Seeds, trees, boat |
| Itsukushimahime | 厳島姫命 | Sea, navigation, fortune | Floating torii, fan, sea |
| Itsuse | 五瀬命 | Warfare, imperial lineage | Arrow, boat |
| Iwainushi | 経津主神 | Swords, martial arts, war | Sword (Futsunomitama), rock seat |
| Iwanagahime | 石長比売 | Rocks, permanence, long life | Rock, mountain |
| Iyozuchi | 伊予豆比古命 | Iyo province (Ehime) | Rice, local agriculture |
| Izanagi | 伊邪那岐命 / 伊弉諾尊 | Creation, life, purification | Spear (Ame-no-nuboko), water |
| Izanami | 伊邪那美命 / 伊弉冉尊 | Creation, death, underworld | Earth, underworld (Yomi), childbirth |
| Izuna Gongen | 飯綱権現 | Mountains, warfare, magic | White fox, tengu, sword |
Descriptions
Ichikishimahime
One of the three Munakata goddesses born from Susanoo’s sword. Enshrined at Itsukushima Shrine, she is often identified with Benzaiten, the Buddhist patroness of music, knowledge, and all things that flow.
Idaten
A Buddhist guardian deity (Skanda) known for his incredible speed. Venerated in Japan as a protector of monasteries and a symbol of swiftness, he famously “runs” to gather alms or protect the Buddhist law.
Ihiyo-no-futana
The deified name for the island of Shikoku, born from Izanagi and Izanami. The Kojiki describes this island-deity as having one body and four faces, representing the four ancient provinces that made up the island.
Ikakoyahime
A goddess of divination, particularly the ancient practice of scapulimancy (divining from heated deer shoulder bones). Mentioned in the Kogo Shūi, she is a key figure in the mythology of courtly rituals and prophecy.
Ikazuchi no Kami
The general term for thunder gods. Most famously, the eight Ikazuchi were born from the decaying body of Izanami in the underworld (Yomi) and represent the terrifying and unpredictable power of thunderstorms.
Ikushimatarushima
A pair of deities, Ikushima (Living Island) and Tarushima (Plentiful Island), who personify the life force and spirit of the Japanese archipelago itself. They are ancient kami central to imperial rituals for the land’s protection.
Ikutsuhikone
One of the five male kami born when Amaterasu and Susanoo performed a ritual trial of sincerity (ukei). As a son of Amaterasu, he is associated with the life-giving properties of the sun and is an ancestor of several clans.
Inari
One of Japan’s most popular deities, Inari is the kami of rice, sake, merchants, and general prosperity. Inari’s shrines are famous for their thousands of red torii gates and statues of foxes (kitsune), who act as divine messengers.
Isetsuhiko
An indigenous earth kami of Ise province, mentioned in the Kojiki. Described as a “violent” deity, he was subdued by a heavenly kami to pacify the land before the establishment of the Ise Grand Shrine.
Isotakeru
A son of the storm god Susanoo. According to the Nihon Shoki, he is credited with bringing tree seeds from heaven and planting them across Japan, making him a vital deity for forestry and the nation’s green landscape.
Itsukushimahime
The main deity of the famous Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island. She is one of the three Munakata goddesses and is often considered a specific manifestation of Ichikishimahime, protector of seafarers and the imperial family.
Itsuse
The elder brother of Japan’s legendary first emperor, Jimmu. A key figure in the imperial founding myth, he was a brave warrior who was mortally wounded by an arrow during the campaign to conquer the east.
Iwainushi
A powerful god of swords and warfare, also known as Futsunushi. Along with Takemikazuchi, he descended from heaven to pacify Japan. Iwainushi is his revered name as the principal deity of Katori Shrine.
Iwanagahime
The Princess of Enduring Rock. When the hero Ninigi rejected her for her appearance, choosing her beautiful sister (symbolizing fleeting blossoms), human life became short and mortal, like flowers, instead of permanent like stones.
Iyozuchi
The tutelary male deity of ancient Iyo Province (modern Ehime), paired with the goddess Iyozuhime. Worshipped for agricultural prosperity and local protection, he is enshrined at the important Ikanigo Shrine.
Izanagi
A primordial creator god and central figure in Japanese mythology. With his sister-wife Izanami, he created the islands of Japan. He is also known for performing the first ritual purification (misogi) after fleeing the underworld.
Izanami
A primordial creator goddess. After dying in childbirth, she became the fearsome ruler of Yomi, the land of the dead. Her story establishes the fundamental Shinto separation between the worlds of the living and the dead.
Izuna Gongen
A syncretic Shinto-Buddhist deity (gongen) of Mount Izuna. Often depicted as a tengu-like figure riding a white fox, he is a powerful mountain spirit worshipped by samurai for victory and by ascetics for magical powers.