Watatsumi-no-kami is a Shinto deity of the sea, revered in Japanese mythology as a kami governing the ocean's depths and its currents. Often invoked by fishing communities and those dependent on maritime travel, this deity is associated with the sea's power and mystery rather than any guaranteed protection. Shrines dedicated to Watatsumi-no-kami reflect a long tradition of seeking harmony and respect with the waters upon which coastal life has historically depended.