This list includes 5 Japanese gods that start with Z, from “Zao Gongen” to “Zuijin”. They range from mountain and shrine guardians to syncretic manifestations with protective roles. Use this list for study, writing, travel planning, or quick reference.

Japanese gods that start with Z are a small but varied group of kami and regional deities. Notable examples include “Zao Gongen,” a mountain guardian venerated by ascetics, and “Zuijin,” protective shrine attendants.

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

Name: Primary English name or common romanized form, so you can quickly identify the deity in lists and citations.

Reading: Hepburn romanization and kana where available, helping you pronounce names and sort them alphabetically and consistently.

Domain: A concise phrase describing the deity’s function or sphere, so you quickly understand its role and context.

Shrine / Location: Main shrine, region, or historical association, helping you connect deities to places for research or visits.

Symbols: Common iconography or objects (one to three items), so you can recognize depictions and related shrine art.

Japanese gods that start with Z

NameOriginal name (kanji/kana)Romanization (Hepburn)Domain & Symbols
Zao Gongen蔵王権現Zao GongenMountain asceticism; vajra, fierce expression, raised right leg
Zochoten増長天ZochotenGuardian of the South; spear or halberd, armor, fierce gaze
Zennyo Ryuo善女龍王Zennyo RyuoRain and water; dragon, jewel, sutra scroll
Zuijin随神ZuijinShrine guardians; bow and arrows, traditional court attire
Zeniarai Benten銭洗弁天Zeniarai BentenFinancial fortune; spring water, coins, snakes

Descriptions

Zao Gongen
A powerful, fierce deity of the Shugendō mountain religion. Believed to be a Japanese manifestation (gongen) of Buddhist figures, he protects practitioners on their spiritual mountain quests and embodies the power of enlightenment.
Zochoten
One of the Four Heavenly Kings (Shitenno), guardians of the cardinal directions in Buddhism. Zochoten rules the south, protecting the Buddhist law from evil and fostering the growth of good in the world.
Zennyo Ryuo
A benevolent dragon queen in Japanese Buddhism, often prayed to for rain. She is considered a protector of the Buddhist teachings and is enshrined at famous locations like Daigo-ji temple in Kyoto.
Zuijin
A pair of guardian kami who flank the entrance gates of many Shinto shrines. Usually depicted as imperial guards or archers, they protect the sacred grounds from evil spirits and impurities.
Zeniarai Benten
A popular name for the goddess Benzaiten at a famous Kamakura shrine. Worshippers wash their money (zeni arai) in the shrine’s sacred spring, praying for it to multiply and bring prosperity.
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