Shinto honorifics

In Shinto all gods are addressed with honorifics, in the same way that in the Japanese language all humans except close friends are addressed with honorifics.Reischauer, Edwin O. (2002). Encyclopedia of Japan. Tōkyō: NetAdvance Inc.

So for example a person should always say Amaterasu Ōmikami to imply the maximum respect for the goddess. If someone simply says Amaterasu then believers see this as disrespectful.


This is the highest honorific in Shinto.  and  are the only kami addressed with it.

Technically it is not an honorific in the name of  as the entire name means "Sky illuminating Great Goddess", so Amaterasu just means "Sky Illuminating".  has the honorific just as a reference to Amaterasu.



 Sarutahiko Ōkami
 Izanagi Ōkami
 Izanami Ōkami


 Inari Ōkami
 Amaterasu Ōkami

He has the title  which is a rare and powerful title. Only six other kami have it, the other six are Izanagi, Izanami, Michikaeshi, , Inari, and Amaterasu. Sarutahiko and Inari are the only ones called Okami that are kunitsukami, or earthly kami, all the others are Amatsukami (heavenly deities).


Used for more monarchy related ones. It originally meant "word-holder"

 Izanagi-no-Mikoto, the first man
 Izanami-no-Mikoto, the first woman
 Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the god of the sea and storms
 Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto, the moon god
 Yamato Iware-biko no Mikoto, Japanese emperors


Generic one "the god". This one is very common and often used if a god does not have a special honorific.


Most other gods. This one is very common and often used if a god does not have a special honorific.

Myojin is an early modern honorific. It means shining god. It is used in Myōjin Taisha

Gongen is an honorific for buddhist linked kami

 Atago Gongen
 Kasuga Gongen
 Kumano Gongen
 Kompira Gongen

Related pages


 References 

Category:Shinto
Category:Styles (manners of address)