Takamimusuhi

• • Affiliation: Shinto
  • Kami of: Royal Clan
  • Family: Sukunabikona (son)

Takamimusuhi

Takamimusuhi (高御産巣日神, Lofty Growth) was the second of the first three beings to come into existence when heaven and earth formed. He along with the other two kami (Amenominakanushi and Kamimusuhi), remained apart and concealed themselves from everything. The Engi Rites include him as one of the 8 tutelary kami of the Royal Clan, invoked at winter solstice rites and harvest festival, in Heian times this kami became associated with marriage. This is all related in the Kojiki.¹

One version of the Nihongi states the kami came into existence after Kuninosatsuchi and Kunitokotachi appeared together, after Amenominakanushi and was followed by the kami Kamimusuhi.²

We see this kami mentioned much later in the Nihongi as the father of Sukunabikona. Ōkuninushi was pacifying the land when he came across a dwarf who came from the sea. Taking him into the palm of his hand the drawf jumps up to bite his cheek. After going up to Heaven to ask about this Takamimusuhi states that the dwarf was his wicked child who would not follow instructions. It also states Takamimusuhi had fathered 1500 children.²

Footnotes

1. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
2. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.

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