noun
person who appears at just the right moment to help
Idiomatic expression referring to someone who shows up exactly when needed, like a guardian deity appearing at the perfect time. Often used in a grateful or slightly humorous tone.
困っていたら、まるで時の氏神のように友達が助けに来てくれた。
When I was in trouble, my friend came to help as if he were a guardian deity appearing at just the right moment.
Both describe timely help, but 渡りに船 emphasizes a convenient opportunity or means arriving just when needed, while 時の氏神 focuses on a person appearing at the perfect moment.
Literally 'the tutelary deity of the moment'. 氏神 (ujigami) is a local Shinto guardian deity, and 時 (toki) means 'time' or 'moment'. The phrase figuratively describes someone who appears providentially at the right time.