earthly deities; gods of the land
Refers to deities associated with the land or earth, often in contrast to heavenly gods (天神). Used in Shinto and mythological contexts.
In Japanese mythology, earthly deities are often contrasted with heavenly gods.
five generations of earthly deities
Compound of 地 (chi, 'earth, land') and 神 (jin, 'god, deity'). The reading ちじん follows standard on'yomi.