Takehazuchi

Takehazuchi
Inasa Beach (Inasa-no-hama) in Izumo, Shimane Prefecture, where the heavenly messengers met Ōkuninushi.
Other namesAma-no-Hazuchi-no-Kami (天羽槌雄神)

Takehazuchi-no-Mikoto (建葉槌命)
Takehazuchi-no-Mikoto (武羽槌命)
Toyohazuchi-no-Mikoto (止与波豆知命)

Shitori-no-Kami (倭文神)
Major cult centre
Personal information
SpouseShitateru-hime?
Parents

Takehazuchi-no-Mikoto (武羽槌命) is a Japanese kami of weaving.

Names and identity

Takehazuchi is also called Shizuri (倭文). Legends do not agree on their gender.

Many sources say they are a fifth-generation descendant of Takamimusubi. Some say it goes through the god Sukunabikona.

Some analysis argues that Takehazuchi is a name used to refer to either Ame no Wakahiko or his wife shitateruhime-no-mikoto and this explains the ambiguity in gender.

Myths

In the tale of the rock cave of heaven, Takehazuchi hung bright streamers on the sacred Masakaki tree to help lure Amaterasu out.

During the Tenson kōrin (descent of the heavenly grandson) a star god, Amatsu-Mikaboshi, refused to submit. The Nihon Shoki has two passages about his defeat:

All versions agree that Amatsu-Mikaboshi’s fall cleared the way for the heavenly descent.

Because the name begins with take (“brave”), some writers see Takehazuchi as a war deity. Others say the goddess “wove” the unruly stars into order, calming them.

Connection with weaving and the Shitori clan

The Shitori clan (倭文氏), who were ancient weavers, believed Takehazuchi was their ancestor. Their home shrine is Shitori Shrine, where Takehazuchi and Shitateru-hime are both worshipped as weaving deities.

Shrine legend says Shitateru-hime sailed from izumo, lived on the mountain behind the shrine, and after death was buried in a kofun within the shrine grounds.

Shrines

Takehazuchi is mainly honoured at: Shitori Shrine, Shizu Shrine [ja], and Katsuraki Shitori ni Imasu Ame no Ha Ikazuchi no Mikoto Shrine [ja].

In the movie Your Name a goddess who drives the plot is named Shizuri Takehazuchi no Mikoto (倭文神 建葉槌命)

References

  1. 1 2 Aston (1896). "Wikisource link to Book II". Wikisource link to Nihongi: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to A.D. 697. Wikisource. pp. 69–70.
  2. 1 2 3 Mizue, Mori. "Shizuri". Encyclopedia of Shinto (in Japanese).
  3. 1 2 "天羽槌雄神・建葉槌命" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-05-23.
  4. ↑ "神々の庭：天羽槌雄神". Retrieved 2024-05-23.
  5. ↑ 宇治谷 1988 『日本書紀』上 p.64, 58
  6. ↑ 寺島良安 (1985). 和漢三才図会. Vol. 10. p. 71.
  7. 1 2 Yoshiki, Emi (2007). Zenkoku “Ichinomiya” tettei gaido (in Japanese). PHP Institute. ISBN 978-4569669304.

Bibliography