Japanese kami of harvests and the new year
Toshigami
Toshigami is a kami of Japanese Shinto, god of abundant harvests, especially of rice and grain. His figure is tied to the arrival of the new year.
The myth
According to the Kojiki, he was the son of Susanoo and Kamuo Ichihime, and the older brother of Ukanomitama. He had offspring with three wives: Ino-hime, Kaguyo-hime and Amechikarumizu-hime, with whom he had the largest number of children.
Worship and religion
He is believed to visit homes every New Year. The decorations put up for the season, such as kadomatsu and kagami mochi rice cakes, were originally offerings made to him. He was venerated as a protector of good harvests, and his home was said to be on Shimokoshiki Island, off the coast of Kagoshima in Kyushu.
Legacy
He shaped Japanese New Year traditions, and many of its decorations remain part of today's celebrations. His name reflects the link between year and harvest, since the character 年 (nen), meaning year, originally meant harvest.
Ancient sources: The Kojiki mentions him as the son of Susanoo.