Takemikazuchi

Takemikazuchi
Earthquake-warding song (a namazu-e woodblock pamphlet, October 1855). The figure holding down the Namazu (mythical catfish) is believed to be Takemikazuchi.[1]
Genealogy
Parents

Takemikazuchi (建御雷/武甕槌) is a deity in Japanese mythology, considered a god of thunder[2] and a sword god.[3] He also competed in what is considered the first sumo wrestling match recorded in history.

He is otherwise known as "The kami of Kashima" (Kashima-no-kami), the chief deity revered in the Kashima Shrine at Kashima, Ibaraki (and all other subsidiary Kashima shrines).[2][4] In the namazu-e or catfish prints of the Edo period, Takemikazuchi/Kashima is depicted attempting to subdue the Namazu, a giant catfish supposedly dwelling at the kaname-ishi (要石, 'pinning rock') of the Japanese landmass and causing its earthquakes.[2][4]

  1. ^ 小向 1992, p.77 carries a comparable namazu-e (鹿島要石真図, which identifies the god as Takemikazuchi
  2. ^ a b c Ashkenazi, Michael (2003). Handbook of Japanese Mythology. ABC-CLIO. p. 266. ISBN 9781576074671.
  3. ^ 三品, 彰英 (Shōei Mishina) (1969) [1968], "たけみかづち", 世界百科事典 (Sekai hyakka jiten), vol. 14, Heibonsha, p. 367
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Ouwehand was invoked but never defined (see the help page).