Shinogami

Shinogami [士神; しのかみ] is a category of kami in Kiren mythology. Generally speaking, it refers to gods who reside in the celestial realm of Kumoshino. Their counterparts are the bakōgami, deities who reside on the early plane of Heibaku, and who are generally considered to have less power than shinogami.
Although Kiren once made a clear distinction between the worshipping of shinogami compared to bakōgami, with different rituals, prayers and customs being used, this is no longer practiced. The Kanna Daiki records shinogami as being more powerful and therefore requiring more frequent worship, as they could also bend the will or influence the behaviour of the bakōgami. Modern Kiren treats heaven-bound and earth-bound spirits generally the same, although it is still thought that shinogami are more powerful.
Shinogami refers exclusively to kami residing in Kumoshino, but during the 16th and 17th centuries it also became a colloquial classification for particularly powerful earthly deity, particularly Omiinegami, goddess of agriculture and prosperity, and Chūzuri, god of the harvest. In the mythos of Kiren, the descendents of the yin-yang gods Ōukami and Ōekami were sent across Heibaku to fertilise and give life to the world through different elements, e.g. water, wind, rain. This is why Kiren once regarded the bakōgami as subordinate or less honourable than their heavenly ancestors.
Category:Kiren
Category:Deities