Japanese Bathroom God

A toilet god is a deity associated with latrines and toilets. Belief in toilet gods - a type of household deity - has been known from both modern and ancient cultures, ranging from Japan to ancient Rome. Such deities have been associated with health, well-being and fertility (because of the association between human waste and agriculture) and have been propitiated in a wide variety of ways.

Japan innovates and progresses technologically, extending this reputation surprisingly, yet unsurprisingly, to restrooms. Behind the sleek designs and high-tech features of modern Japanese toilets lies a fascinating cultural tradition - the reverence for the Toilet God, or 'Kawaya no Kami.' This belief system transcends mere practicality, blending ancient Shinto beliefs, hygiene. A song called "Toire no Kamisama (トイレの神様): God in the Restroom" In 2010, a song called "God in the Restroom" became a big hit in Japan.

The song tells a story of a girl and her grandmother and is sung as one of the heart. The bathroom. There are a few characters from Japanese folklore that are specifically bathroom (or even toilet) orientated: the Kawaya no Kami, Akaname, and the Noppera-bō.

Let's start with not just a mere spirit or a ghost, but a god. Kawaya no-Kami is a Japanese toilet god. What makes him a toilet god? Well, his origin story certainly helps.

The Buddhist idea of a toilet god is a little different. Yes, Japanese Buddhism also has something to say about the lavatory. D ō gen the very well known Zen monk and writer penned in detail what to do in the washroom in chapter one of his Shoubougenzou from the 13 th century.

He states that all temples must have an eastern quarter or tousu. The toilet gods predate the modern Japanese toilets by many, many years. Back then, Japanese toilets weren't the shining beacon of innovation that they are today, but a place associated with fear and despair.

You might think that is exaggerating the point, but Japan has traditionally been an agricultural society, which requires a sustained source of fertiliser beyond that of livestock. According to legend, the Kawaya-no-Kami were born from the bodily wastes of creator gods Izanagi and Izanami, which fell down to Earth with a cosmic splat. You'd better believe that deities poop - and their holy excrement can produce miracles.

The Kawaya-no-Kami also look after gynecological diseases, optical care and dentistry. Toire no Kamisama, "God in the Toilet" is a song by Japanese singer-songwriter Kana Uemura, recounting her relationship with her late grandmother who was very particular about keeping the toilet clean. The custom of "Benjo Biraki", where people take turns to sit on the toilet and eat rice cakes and green tea.

We were actually on the verge of leaving this regular run-of-the-mill temple until I did a quick google search and the word トイレ (toilet) was the one Japanese word which stuck out so I asked where the toilets were located and went to investigate! Toilet God is a spectral being in Japanese folklore and mythology. It is believed to be a mischievous spirit that resides in bathrooms or public restrooms.