shinshi

thumb|250x250px|Chickens at Ise Grand Shrine. Parishioners believe they are messengers of [[Amaterasu.]] are animals in Japanese mythology that are believed to be associated with a , a divine being. These animals are also known as or . In ancient texts such as and , there are tales of special animals that acted on behalf of the to transmit the divine will or to bear oracles.

Over time animals were connected to certain shrines. It became a custom to take care of these animals when they were found within the area of the shrine. Normally, each had only one animal familiar, but sometimes, there were some exceptions where a had more than one. Even some of the "Seven Lucky Gods" like Daikokuten (a ) and Benzaiten (a snake) had animal familiars.