also: やわたのかみ
noun
Hachiman; god of war
A Shinto deity associated with war, archery, and the protection of Japan. Also known as 八幡大菩薩 (Hachiman Daibosatsu) in a syncretic context.
八幡神は武士の守護神として信仰された。
Hachiman was worshipped as the guardian deity of warriors.
八幡神を祀る神社は全国に数多くある。
There are many shrines throughout Japan dedicated to Hachiman.
The name 八幡 (Hachiman) is of uncertain origin, but the deity is historically associated with Emperor Ōjin and was later syncretized with Buddhist figures. The reading やわたのかみ is an older, native Japanese reading.