Reishingami

Reishingami [谅沉神; れいしんがみ] is the Kiren goddess of dawn, mirth, and female sensuality and sexuality. She is regarded as the patron spirit or 'guardian' of women as a whole, although particularly favours those between the ages of 18-28. In feudal times she was considered the goddess of female nobility, and ladies born into the Imperial Court would often be given the first name Reishin in honour of this. Although Reishingami is her formal title, she is also known as Reisō-sama, Shunne, or Chōmai.
Reishingami is a daughter of the sun goddess Kasshingami, created with the strength to pull back the great curtain of nighttime and allow sunlight to access the surface of the earth. In order to get from the heavens down to earth, she flies down on the back of the great dragon spirit Damyōryū, who is, according to most ancient records, her husband. When twilight comes, Reishingami must enter the earthly realm by using the Shinodami or Heavenly Bridge, in order to pull down the curtain of nighttime. According to this legend, Kiren superstition once held that riding on the back of an animal [i.e. a horse or mule] is more auspicious in the morning, and walking by foot is more auspicious in the evening.
Reishingami is worshipped and enshrined in many temples across Kanton. Her presence is particularly strong in the south, where she is often known as Shunne. The Reishinshūren pilgrimage is the only traditional Kantonese pilgrimage undertaken exclusively by women, and involves travelling to Reishin Temple in Kosema Prefecture.
Category:Deities