also: うかたま · うけのみたま
noun
god of food (esp. rice)
Shinto deity associated with grains, particularly rice; often identified with Ukanomitama-no-kami.
稲魂は五穀豊穣の神として信仰されている。
Ukanomitama is worshipped as a deity of grain harvests.
伏見稲荷大社では、宇迦之御魂神が祀られている。
At Fushimi Inari Taisha, Ukanomitama-no-kami is enshrined.
Alternate kanji spelling; also read うかたま.
Alternate reading for this spelling.
Rarely used kanji form.
Inari is a broader deity of rice, sake, and prosperity, often associated with foxes; Ukanomitama is sometimes considered an aspect or a separate grain deity.
The name Ukanomitama is of ancient Japanese origin, likely combining uka (food/grain) and mitama (spirit/soul). The exact derivation is uncertain.