Fuji

Fuji – Woman’s Best Friend

Fuji is the Ainu word for “fire.” The Ainu are an indigenous people of Japan. Fuji is the original goddess of Mount Fuji. The mountain retains her name even after she was replaced by the Japanese shamanic goddess, Konohana, now Mount Fuji’s presiding spirit. Fuji may have had shrines on Fujiyama as late as the ninth century.

Fuji is not specifically a mountain goddess; Mount Fuji is a volcano. She’s a fire goddess. Fuji dwells in the hearth of every home. The hearth serves as her altar. Offerings may be fed directly to the fire.

Known as the woman’s best friend, Fuji protects reproductive health and bestows fertility. An ancient ritual to counteract infertility involved having the barren woman lie on another woman’s fresh afterbirth while a circle of women surrounded her, invoking Fuji’s blessings to allow her to conceive. She also protects children. Fuji’s essence is contained in fireplace ashes. These may be collected into small bags and worn or carried as protective amulets.

ALSO KNOWN AS:

Fuchi

CLASSIFICATION:

Kamui

ORIGIN:

Ainu

ELEMENT

Fire

OFFERINGS:

Millet beer, rice beer, and a well-tended flame

SEE ALSO:

• Kamui
• Konohana
• Japanese Mythology

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses– Written by :Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.