Toshigami
Encyclopedia
is a Kami
of the Shinto
religion in Japan. The term consists of from two Chinese characters, and , meaning a deity or spirit. Toshigami are thought to be deities of the year believed to bring with each New Year
. Toshigami are also thought to be the spirits of ancestors.
Kami
is the Japanese word for the spirits, natural forces, or essence in the Shinto faith. Although the word is sometimes translated as "god" or "deity", some Shinto scholars argue that such a translation can cause a misunderstanding of the term...
of the Shinto
Shinto
or Shintoism, also kami-no-michi, is the indigenous spirituality of Japan and the Japanese people. It is a set of practices, to be carried out diligently, to establish a connection between present day Japan and its ancient past. Shinto practices were first recorded and codified in the written...
religion in Japan. The term consists of from two Chinese characters, and , meaning a deity or spirit. Toshigami are thought to be deities of the year believed to bring with each New Year
Japanese New Year
The is one of the most important annual festivals, with its own unique customs, and has been celebrated for centuries. Due to the importance of the holiday and the preparations required, the preceding days are quite busy, particularly the day before, known as Ōmisoka.The Japanese New Year has been...
. Toshigami are also thought to be the spirits of ancestors.