Suishin

Suishin [水神; すいしん] is the Kiren god of water. He is one of the most temperamental kami, known for being both extremely benevolent and yet quick to be angered by humans. Also known as Mizukami, Ansui, and Suiya, he is popularly revered and worshipped in temples all across Kanton. Suishin is often conflated with the octopus god Suijin due to the similarity of their names.
He is believed to be the guardian of fishermen and seafarers, and is the patron spirit of motherhood and childbirth. People worship Suishin with offerings, typically bowls of salt water or portions of saltwater fish, believing that doing so will bring them unpolluted, clean water for sanitation, agriculture and drinking, along with success in fishing trips, childbirth, and attempts to conceive. It is quite common for Suishin temples or shrines to be located nearby a source of water, such as a river, lake, waterfall or spring. Additionally, a temple's grounds will often feature a water fountain, into which visitors traditionally drop coins.
== Festivals ==
There are a lot of Kantonese festivals dedicated to Suishin, most of which occur during summer or winter although more emphasis is placed on summer festivals. The majority of these celebrations occur at the Sakamizu Temple in Kaimon and the Sashinka [临行莎] Temple in Kaneguro. These observances have a significant role in the exorcism of bad spirits and purification, particularly aimed at dangerous diseases and water-related disasters which commonly happen during the summer [e.g. flooding]. Some popular festivals include:
* Suishinzai, December 18 and July 1 - on these days, various locations host the Suishinzai, a traditional festival to honour and appease Suishin and bring him bountiful offerings.
* Zōkanzai Eimachi, Aoma Prefecture, annually December - igloos called korito are built and dedicated to Suishin, who is honoured during this festival to ensure good crops in the coming year. This festival, in its current form, is around 600 years old.
* Kyūchōmachi, or the Festival of Maritime Fortune, is held in Tsuba Prefecture in mid-June. It is a festival during which people pray for good fishing hauls and safety at sea. Fishermen will often gather in harbours to watch a traditional kanshō ritual, dedicated to Suishin.
Category:Kiren
Category:Deities