• Affiliation: Shinto
• Kami of: Lightning
• Family: Kagutsuchi (father) Hihayahi (brother) Mikahayahi (brother)

Takemikazuchinoo

Takemikazuchinoo (建御雷之男神 – Brave Mighty Thunderbolt Man) is a Shinto Kami and the last of three Lightning Kami born from the blood of Kagutsuchi after he was beheaded by the sword Itsunoohabari owned by Izanagi. The blood, caught upon the guard of the sword dripped down onto hallowed boulders forming this kami. This is related in the Kojiki and Nihongi.¹²

He has the alternative names of Takefutsu (建布都神 – Brave Slasher) and Toyofutsu (豊布都神 – Plentiful Slasher) and was worshiped by The Intercessors. The ‘futsu’ element of his name may derive from Korean in which it could mean ‘glowing red.’¹

One other version of the Nihongi says he is the son of Mikahayahi.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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Hear about Kagutsuchi on Episode 3 of our Podcast, the Japan Archives.

• Affiliation: Shinto
• Kami of: Fire, Volcanoes, Slash and Burn Agriculture
• Family: Izanagi (father) Izanami (mother) Haniyamahime (wife) Children (numerous, see below)

Kagutsuchi

Kagutsuchi (Flame Elder – 軻遇突智) is the kami of Fire in Shinto Mythology. He is also known as Hinoyagihayao (Swift Burning Flame Man), Hinokagabiko (Blazing Flame Lad), Hinokagutsuchi (Flickering Flame Elder – 火之迦具土) in the Kojiki and Nihongi¹² as well as Homusuhi (Plume Growth – 火産霊) in the Nihongi and Hymns.²

In the Kojiki he is said to be the son of Izanagi and Izanami born after the kami Ōgetsuhime.¹ However, in one version of the Nihongi he is born after Torinoiwakusufune. In another version he took as a wife the kami Haniyamahime and together they had the kami Wakumusubi. Yet another version states he was born after the kami Haniyasu.²

During his birth he burnt his mother Izanami causing her to fall gravely ill and eventually die. Izanagi in his grief and anger takes his sword (Itsunoohabari) and beheads him.¹²

His blood turns into the kami Iwasaku, Nesaku, Iwatsutsunoo, Mikahayahi, Hihayahi, Takemikazuchinoo, Kuraokami and Kuramitsuha with his body turning into another eight kami called Masakayamatsumi, Odoyamatsumi, Okuyamatsumi, Kurayamatsumi, Shigiyamatsumi, Hayamatsumi, Harayamatsumi and Toyamatsumi.¹ This is related in the Kojiki as the Nihongi omits some of these kami. One alternative version of the Nihongi does mention one extra kami with the name Iwatsutsunome. She was the sister of Iwatsutsunoo.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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Nakatomi Clan

The Nakatomi Clan (The Intercessors¹– 中臣氏) are known to have been the Hereditary Chief Custodians of Shinto and Rituals claiming descent from the Shinto kami Ameno Koyane.² 

They are said to have an ancestor by the name of Ōkashima.⁴

It is said they worshiped the kami Takemikazuchinoo invoking him in Hymn prayers recited at their clan shrine in Kasuga.¹

During the reign of Emperor Kinmei both this Clan and the Mononobe Clan were against the acceptance of Buddhism. A religion which the Soga Clan wished Japan to adopt.

By the reign of Empress Kōgyoku this Clan had grown a hatred towards the Soga Clan due to their overarching political control of the Imperial Family, having placed numerous Emperors of their choice on the throne and so the then head of the clan Nakatomi no Kamatari aided in the destruction of the Soga Clan.

Between the 4th and 7th Centuries they, with the Imbe Clan oversaw the Yamato Court.³

During the reign of Emperor Kōtoku in the 7th Century, this clan alongside the Imbe Clan and Urabe Clan were tasked with overseeing the Shinto department known as the Jingikan.

Kamatari under the reign of Emperor Tenji had his family name changed to Fujiwara and so a new clan was born.²

Members of the House

• • Nakatomi no Kamatari – 614-669
  • Nakatomi no Omimaro – d.711

Footnotes

1. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
2. Martin, P. (1997) “The Chrysanthemum Throne” Gloucestershire: Sutton Publishing Limited.
3. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
4. Varley, H.P (1980) “A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns: Jinnō Shōtōki of Kitabatake Chikafusa.” New York: Columbia University Press.

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