守護神(しゅごしん)

しゅごしん
noun
guardian deity; patron saint
religionsports
1. guardian deity; patron saint; protective god
A god or divine being believed to watch over and protect a person, place, or group.
この神社(じんじゃ)の守護神(しゅごしん)は龍(りゅう)だ。
The guardian deity of this shrine is a dragon.
旅(たび)の守護神(しゅごしん)として古(ふる)くから信仰(しんこう)されている。
It has been worshipped since ancient times as a guardian deity of travel.
村(むら)の守護神(しゅごしん)を祀(まつ)る祭(まつ)りが毎年(まいとし)秋(あき)に行(おこな)われる。
A festival honoring the village's guardian deity is held every autumn.
2. guardian; protector (figurative)
Used figuratively for a person who serves as the key protector or last line of defense, especially in sports (e.g., a star goalkeeper).
彼(かれ)はチームの守護神(しゅごしん)だ。
He is the team's guardian (goalkeeper).
守護神(しゅごしん)の活躍(かつやく)で勝利(しょうり)をつかんだ。
They snatched victory thanks to the guardian's performance.
長年(ながねん)チームの守護神(しゅごしん)を務(つと)めたゴールキーパーが引退(いんたい)した。
The goalkeeper who served as the team's guardian for many years has retired.

守護神(しゅごしん) has both a religious and a figurative meaning.

Etymology

守護(しゅご) (protection, guarding) + 神(しん) (god, deity)

Religious sense

A divine being that watches over and protects a person, place, family, or trade. In Japanese religion, 氏神(うじがみ) (clan deity) and 産土神(うぶすながみ) (birth-place deity) are related concepts.

Sports sense

In sports journalism, 守護神(しゅごしん) is a common epithet for:

  • A star goalkeeper in soccer who saves the team
  • A closer (relief pitcher) in baseball who protects the lead
  • Any athlete who serves as the team's last line of defense

Common collocations

Related Words

Compare: キーパー (goalkeeper)
general
Added 2026.3.8 21:24 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
15500/15845_shugoshin