Nunakawahime

Nunakawahime
Major cult centreAmatsu Shrine, Kota Shrine
Genealogy
SpouseŌkuninushi
ChildrenKinomata (Kimata), Shitateruhime [ja], Ajisukitakahikone, Kotoshironushi,[1] Takeminakata and others

Nunakawahime is a Shinto goddess.[2]

She is worshipped in Shinto, known particularly for her association with 'sound' and 'ringing'. She helps people sing.[2]

She is the mother of Takeminakata.[3] and Kotoshironushi.[4]

Nunakawahime is especially sought after by expectant mothers, as she is believed to grant easy childbirth and blessings of children.[2]

Nunakawahime is a character in the Kojiki, an ancient Japanese text. She is not mentioned in the Nihon Shoki. In the Kojiki, there is a story about Ōkuninushi. He went to Koshi No Kuni to propose to Nunakawahime. He stood outside her house and recited a poem. He wanted to marry her. Nunakawahime was hesitant at first. But the next day, she accepted with a poem. They got married.[2]

  1. ^ Atsushi, Kadoya (28 April 2005). "Kotoshironushi". Encyclopedia of Shinto. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
  2. ^ a b c d "『Nunakawahime』". Do you know who the Japanese Deities are? (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  3. ^ "Kojiki. Book Three", Kojiki, Princeton University Press, pp. 299–394, 1969-12-31, retrieved 2023-09-28
  4. ^ Atsushi, Kadoya (28 April 2005). "Kotoshironushi". Encyclopedia of Shinto. Retrieved 2010-09-29.