Ujigami
/uːdʒiˈɡɑːmi/noun
A Shinto deity regarded as the tutelary or guardian spirit of a clan, locality, or community.
Did you know?Originally associated with a specific clan, the ujigami later became primarily a local guardian deity as Japanese communities and territorial shrines replaced purely kin-based worship.
Etymological Timeline
Old Japanese, 8th Century
Japanese
uji
“A clan, lineage, or hereditary family group”
Old Japanese, 8th Century
Japanese
kami
“A deity, spirit, or sacred supernatural power”
Medieval Japanese
Japanese
氏神 (ujigami)
“The deity protecting a particular clan or hereditary group”
Early Modern Japanese
Japanese
氏神 (ujigami)
“A tutelary deity associated increasingly with a village, district, or local community”
Modern English
English
ujigami
“A Shinto guardian deity of a clan, locality, or community”