Kami-do
The factions of Yugawa are diverse, but there is only one faith for its people. That religion is Kami-do.
Kami-do believes that there is a spirit in and for everything. Most of these creatures simply frolic in the forests or rivers, but a select few ascend to greatness and cease to be a yokai. Rather, they are dubbed “kami”. Some kami are regional, only worshipped the people of the lands they protect, while others are canonized as proper deities of Kami-do.
Among the things that the religion teaches, the prime tenet is that there is to be respect for all things. They don’t take this belief as far as many naturalistic faiths, swearing off industry and modern development. Instead, they believe that there must be a place to respect all things, but this doesn’t limit them. Things like building a massive garden into the center of town, or a small pond to serve as a shrine are acceptable to ways to give the world the respect it deserves.
They don’t stop at respect for nature, though. Their respect for all also extends to enemies. Whether a personal enemy or an enemy of state, they receive the honor all people deserve. This is especially true of the Bushi whose code of conduct lead them to bow their heads to their enemies before battle.
Another of their beliefs is that a person can become a kami. As they believe that anything with a soul can become elevated to the rank of kami, and people have souls, they teach that any person who does enough good and earns the respect of all can become a god.
Hachiman is a perfect example of this belief. According to the teachings of Kami-do, he was once a revered swordsman, fighting in the direct service to Amaterasu, herself. They say he achieved godhood as a result of his prowess and the honor he received at the hands of the gods. He is now their war god, embodying the idea that war should be a balance of honorable aggression.
Amaterasu is the Kami-do high goddess. She is a deity of sun and fire. Her brothers are often a pain in her side, causing trouble and wreaking havoc, but she remains gentle, warm, and motherly. She is the first child of Izanami, and said to be the origin of mortal life.
According to myth, during the Age of the Gods, Izanami and Amaterasu both became pregnant. The pain of childbirth threatened to kill them both, so Susanō used his katana to cut open their bellies. This bathed the blade in their blood, thus creating the Kusanagi blade. It also filled the world with mortal life, as demons and yokai sprang from the womb of Izanami, and all the mortal races were born from Amaterasu.
Susanō, the first of Amaterasu’s brothers, is the god of oceans, storms, and lightning. He’s an unpredictable, energetic, and proud god, but still honorable. According to local legends, he frequents a few of the tea houses around the country, drinking all the alcohol they have. If the owner runs him out, he leaves, cursing the place to fail within the year. However, if he’s allowed to drink his fill, he blesses them, causing their sake jars to never empty.
Inarī, the second of Amatersu’s brothers, is the god of earth and crops. Though one of the most beloved deities of the faith, Inarī actually doesn’t like people that much. He’s apathetic and solitary, preferring to roam the wilds instead of visiting his temples.
Izanami is one of the oldest creatures in existence, and is the goddess of chaos and death. She is also the mother of yokai and demons, as well as the first three kami. According to the Kami-do faith, in the beginning, it was just her and her husband, Izanagi. Together, they had three children: Amaterasu, Susanō, and Inarī. However, after a time, she became pregnant, again. This time, her daughter was also pregnant. Giving birth took a huge toll on Izanami and Amaterasu, so they slept for a hundred years afterwards. During this time, the world was dark, as the sun had gone away, and the demons began to ravage the world. In response, Izanagi began to kill the demons, partially out of anger at his wife, and partially to quell the devastation. Upon awakening, Izanami found half of her children slain. Overtaken by grief and rage, she killed Izanagi. In immediate response, the kami sealed her away under a mountain, where she has remained to this day.
Raijin is the god of wind and rain. He’s the son of Susanō, and inherited a portion of his father’s divine power. Governed by blustering fits, he borders on immaturity, despite his Aunt’s constant reprimands.
Kami-do believes that there is a spirit in and for everything. Most of these creatures simply frolic in the forests or rivers, but a select few ascend to greatness and cease to be a yokai. Rather, they are dubbed “kami”. Some kami are regional, only worshipped the people of the lands they protect, while others are canonized as proper deities of Kami-do.
Among the things that the religion teaches, the prime tenet is that there is to be respect for all things. They don’t take this belief as far as many naturalistic faiths, swearing off industry and modern development. Instead, they believe that there must be a place to respect all things, but this doesn’t limit them. Things like building a massive garden into the center of town, or a small pond to serve as a shrine are acceptable to ways to give the world the respect it deserves.
They don’t stop at respect for nature, though. Their respect for all also extends to enemies. Whether a personal enemy or an enemy of state, they receive the honor all people deserve. This is especially true of the Bushi whose code of conduct lead them to bow their heads to their enemies before battle.
Another of their beliefs is that a person can become a kami. As they believe that anything with a soul can become elevated to the rank of kami, and people have souls, they teach that any person who does enough good and earns the respect of all can become a god.
Hachiman is a perfect example of this belief. According to the teachings of Kami-do, he was once a revered swordsman, fighting in the direct service to Amaterasu, herself. They say he achieved godhood as a result of his prowess and the honor he received at the hands of the gods. He is now their war god, embodying the idea that war should be a balance of honorable aggression.
Amaterasu is the Kami-do high goddess. She is a deity of sun and fire. Her brothers are often a pain in her side, causing trouble and wreaking havoc, but she remains gentle, warm, and motherly. She is the first child of Izanami, and said to be the origin of mortal life.
According to myth, during the Age of the Gods, Izanami and Amaterasu both became pregnant. The pain of childbirth threatened to kill them both, so Susanō used his katana to cut open their bellies. This bathed the blade in their blood, thus creating the Kusanagi blade. It also filled the world with mortal life, as demons and yokai sprang from the womb of Izanami, and all the mortal races were born from Amaterasu.
Susanō, the first of Amaterasu’s brothers, is the god of oceans, storms, and lightning. He’s an unpredictable, energetic, and proud god, but still honorable. According to local legends, he frequents a few of the tea houses around the country, drinking all the alcohol they have. If the owner runs him out, he leaves, cursing the place to fail within the year. However, if he’s allowed to drink his fill, he blesses them, causing their sake jars to never empty.
Inarī, the second of Amatersu’s brothers, is the god of earth and crops. Though one of the most beloved deities of the faith, Inarī actually doesn’t like people that much. He’s apathetic and solitary, preferring to roam the wilds instead of visiting his temples.
Izanami is one of the oldest creatures in existence, and is the goddess of chaos and death. She is also the mother of yokai and demons, as well as the first three kami. According to the Kami-do faith, in the beginning, it was just her and her husband, Izanagi. Together, they had three children: Amaterasu, Susanō, and Inarī. However, after a time, she became pregnant, again. This time, her daughter was also pregnant. Giving birth took a huge toll on Izanami and Amaterasu, so they slept for a hundred years afterwards. During this time, the world was dark, as the sun had gone away, and the demons began to ravage the world. In response, Izanagi began to kill the demons, partially out of anger at his wife, and partially to quell the devastation. Upon awakening, Izanami found half of her children slain. Overtaken by grief and rage, she killed Izanagi. In immediate response, the kami sealed her away under a mountain, where she has remained to this day.
Raijin is the god of wind and rain. He’s the son of Susanō, and inherited a portion of his father’s divine power. Governed by blustering fits, he borders on immaturity, despite his Aunt’s constant reprimands.
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