seven generations of celestial deities
In Japanese mythology, the seven primordial kami who came into being after the creation of heaven and earth, preceding the earthly kami (地神五代). Often contrasted with 地神五代.
See also: 地神五代
The seven generations of celestial deities are the kami who appeared after the creation of heaven and earth.
The Kojiki records the seven generations of celestial deities and the five generations of earthly deities.
Refers to the five generations of earthly deities who succeeded the celestial ones, while 天神七代 are the earlier celestial generations.
From 天神 (celestial deity) + 七代 (seven generations). A fixed mythological term with no further internal derivation.