Toshigami (year god)

Japanese: 年神(歳神) - としがみ

A deity that is welcomed into homes during New Year. It is also called Toshitokusama (Toshintoku-sama), Toshitako-san, Shogatsu-sama, etc. In many areas, Toshigami is worshipped on a Toshi-shelf. As for the deity's status as a Toshigami, he is clearly a farming deity, as in some regions it is said that he is the same deity as the guardian deity of New Year, Farming deity-sama, and Shajitsu-sama, or that Tagami-sama (field deity) becomes Toshigami. In many regions, the toshi-otoko, who serves as the priest of Toshigami, is the head of the household, but in some places it is the housewife's role. The "toshi" in Toshigami means rice, and in many places Toshigami is depicted as an old man, and is also considered to be the spirit of an ancestor.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

正月に家に迎えまつる神。トシトクサマ(年徳様)，トシトコさん，正月さまなどとも呼ぶ。年棚を設けてまつる土地が多い。年神の神格については，正月の守り神，作神さま，社日さまと同じ神様であるとか，タガミ(田神)さまが年神さまになるなどと伝える地方があるように，作神としての性格が顕著である。年神の司祭者である年男は，家長とする地方が多いが，主婦の任務としている所もある。　年神のトシは米を意味しており，さらに年神を老人の姿とする所が多く，先祖の霊とも考えられている。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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