By the Gods!

Aizen-Myoo

Also known as Ragaraja, Aizen-Myoo is a deity from Mahayana Buddhism. He is regarded as the god of love in popular Japanese belief, and is one of the Wisdom Kings of Vajrayana traditions. He is a deity of both physical and intellectual desire and represents love transformed through the desire for enlightenment. 

His body is completely red, and is usually shown sitting on a blossoming lotus. He has three eyes, the head of a lion for his hair, and has six arms, each holding a weapon. Why fearsome arsenal for this love-god? The better to love you with, silly. Despite his frightening appearance, Aizen-Myoo is renowned for his great compassion toward humankind.

Kodama

In Japanese folklore the Kodama are spirits that inhabit and represent trees. They aren’t believed to dwell in every tree, but rather occupy specific and significant trees. Cutting down a tree that houses a Kodama is thought to bring ill fortune, and in Japan any such trees are often marked with a special rope. Japanese folklore takes influence from both Shinto and Buddhist beliefs, so it is difficult to pinpoint exactly where and how these spirits originated.

Their depictions vary; some believe them to take the form of a regular-looking human when they wander about beyond their tree, though their most famous representation is seen in the film Princess Mononoke, wherein they are cute as balls. It’s not even fair how adorable those little guys are.

Kitsune.

Kitsune originate from Japanese folklore and are mischievous fox spirits that are equivalent to fairies in European folklore. They are known for having magical capabilities and great wisdom that increases as they mature. Many believe that the Kitsune use these abilities to trick others, while some believe that they use these powers in a protective nature, for the greater good of Japan.

The Nihon Ryakki, suggests that the Kitsune originated by the mating of people and foxes centuries ago, as they used to “live in close proximity as equals.”

There are two different types of Kitsune: the benevolent Zenko, often associated with the god Inari, and the “field foxes,” and the Yako, who are often mischievous and malicious. Both can shapeshift into humans and aren’t limited by the fox’s age or gender.

Shinto Creation Myth

At the beginning of time, all matter that would become the world was mixed together in a great cloud. The lighter components rose up and became heaven, and the heavier parts descended and became a thick ocean of muddy water. A green sprout began to grow, and when it flowered the First God burst forth from it. This first god created Izanagi, the god of all that is light and heavenly, along with his wife and sister Izanami. 

This First God gave Izanagi the task of finishing the creation of the world. Standing on a rainbow, Izanagi and Izanami plunged a jewel-crested spear into the ocean and stirred it. When they pulled it free, the water that dripped from the spear coagulated and formed the first island of Japan. The gods went down to the island, and from there created the rest of the Japanese archipelago.

Amaterasu-Okami, Goddess of the Sun.

A Shinto deity, her name means “that which illuminates Heaven.” She was born from the eye of Izanagi, (that’s right, the Izanagi who created Japan with the spear being dipped into the ocean) and is said to be linked directly to the Imperial Household of Japan. The Emperors were said to be her descendants.

The above picture is Amaterasu emerging out of a cave (she got thrown in caves a lot as part of evil plans) and bringing light back to the world.