This post was contributed by Funimation copywriter, Lauren Hill.

 

Got an offering burning a hole in your pocket? Before you pick a god to pray to, learn more about them! We’ve got all the details on your favorite Noragami Aragoto gods to prepare you for the upcoming release of the worthy sequel to Noragami. Get your order in now!

 

GODS

 

Yato

 

 

It is believed Yato is based off a minor god known as a Yato-no-kami—a snake god. Seen as the object of great fear, this could explain why Yato is seen as a god of calamity. It was said that if you laid eyes on such a kami, your family line would be exterminated. But the Yato we know is more about helping rather than exterminating! Then again his eyes…they’re rather snake-like don’t you think?

Bishamon

 

 

The deadly war god Bishamon is a guardian deity based off of one of Buddhism’s Four Heavenly Kings, Vaisravana, or Vessavana. Kazuma refers to Bishamon as “Veena” numerous times as a reference to this connection. Known as a deity who smites evil, Bishamon is the one to go to when you have a devil of a problem.

 

Kofuku

 

 

Don’t let this sweet and cute face fool you! Though she masquerades as a god of fortune, Kofuku is actually known as Binbougami, a god of poverty. Poverty gods will inhabit a human and bring great misery to their lives which means they don’t typically have worshippers.

 

Ebisu

 

 

A true god of fortune! Originally named Hiruko, Ebisu was born as a human missing either limbs or bones (the story changes), and was cast off to sea to die by his parents. Instead, he recovered and become the patron of fishermen and merchants. He is the only god of fortune that originates from Japan.

 

Rabou

 

 

Not much is known about the origin of Rabou other than he is a god of calamity. It is possible he is also based off the snake god, Yato-no-kami but it is also possible he is based of gods of death from other religions.

 

Tenjin

 

 

Once a human scholar of high caliber named Sugawara no Michizane. After his career was ruined and he passed on, it was thought his spirit sought revenge on the royal family that dishonored him. He was actually considered a calamity god at one point! To appease his spirit, he was restored his titles, deified, and has become the most revered and wealthy gods.

 

Izanami

 

 

Also known as Izanami-no-Mikoto, the goddess of both creation and death. Wife to Izanagi-no-Mikoto, a deity of the seven divine generations, it was believed the two of them created the first land and the ‘great eight islands’ of Japan. When Izanami died, Izanagi sought her out in the underworld, Yomi, but found she had already eaten the food there and would have to stay there. Determined to bring back his beloved, he tried to free her until he saw her new, rotting form. Letting out a cry, he fled and as she chased after him, he closed the entrance to Yomi, trapping her there forever. In her fury, Izanami threatened she would claim 1,000 lives every day if he left her, but he responded that he would give life to 1,500.

 

Ookuninushi

 

 

The Great Land Master who is believed to be the original ruler of Izumo Province until he was suddenly replaced. To compensate his loss, he was made ruler of the spirit world and believed to be a god of nation-building, farming, business, and medicine.

 

Not sure what offering is worthy? Ordering your copy of Noragami Aragoto is the perfect gesture! Available 2/21 on Blu-ray, DVD & Digital HD

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