also: ちぎ
earthly deities; gods of the land
In Shinto, refers to native terrestrial gods, often contrasted with 天津神 (heavenly gods). Used in mythological and religious contexts.
Kunitsukami refers to the gods who appeared on earth in Japanese mythology.
The conflict between the heavenly gods and the earthly deities is an important theme in the myths.
Standard kanji spelling for the native Japanese reading.
Sino-Japanese reading; mainly used in classical or religious contexts.
Variant spelling using つ instead of 津; less common but still encountered.
Formed from 国 “land,” the Old Japanese genitive particle つ, and 神 “deity”: literally “deities of the land.”