Kagu-tsuchi

(Redirected from Kagutsuchi)

Kagutsuchi (カグツチ; Old Japanese: Kagututi), also known as Hi-no-Kagutsuchi or Homusubi among other names, is the kami of fire in classical Japanese mythology.[1]

Hi-no-Kagutsuchi-no-Kami
Kami of fire and the hearth
Other namesKagutsuchi-no-Mikoto (軻遇突智命, 加具土命)
Homusubi (火産霊)
Hi-no-Yagihayao-no-Kami (火之夜藝速男神)
Hi-no-Yakihayao-no-Mikoto-no-Kami (火焼速男命神)
Hi-no-Yakihiko-no-Kami (火焼彦神)
Ho-no-Yakezumi-no-Kami (火焼炭神)
Japanese火之迦具土神
Major cult centerHonoo-Honome Shrine, Ubuta Shrine, Hananoiwaya Shrine, Akiha Shrine, and others
GenderMale
ParentsIzanagi (father)
Izanami (mother)
OffspringNesaku, Takemikazuchi, Kuraokami and others

Mythology

edit

Kagutsuchi's birth burned his mother Izanami, causing her death. His father Izanagi, in his grief, beheaded Kagutsuchi with his sword, Ame no Ohabari (天之尾羽張), and cut his body into eight pieces, which became eight volcanoes. Kagutsuchi's corpse created numerous deities, which typically includes Watatsumi, Kuraokami, Takemikazuchi, Futsunushi, Amatsu-Mikaboshi, and Ōyamatsumi.[2][3]

Kagutsuchi's birth, in Japanese mythology, comes at the end of the creation of the world and marks the beginning of death.[4] In the Engishiki, a source which contains the myth, Izanami, in her death throes, bears the water goddess Mizuhanome, instructing her to pacify Kagu-tsuchi if he should become violent. This story also contains references to traditional fire-fighting tools: gourds for carrying water and wet clay and water reeds for smothering fires.[4]

Name

edit

The name Kagutsuchi was originally a compound phrase, consisting of kagu, an Old Japanese root verb meaning "to shine"; tsu, the Old Japanese possessive particle; and chi, an Old Japanese root meaning "force, power".[5]

edit
  • In the manga and anime Sailor Moon, a character named Hino Rei uses flame magic. [dubiousdiscuss]
  • In the manga and anime Kimetsu no Yaiba, there is a dance called Hinokami Kagura (lit. Dance of the Fire God), referencing Kagu-tsuchi, that is later transformed into a Breathing Style by the protagonist, Tanjiro Kamado.
  • In the manga and anime Fairy Tail, a character named Zancrow uses the Flame God Slayer Magic and has an attack named after Kagutsuchi.
  • In the manga Noragami, Kagutsuchi appears during the subjugation of Bishamon and is shown to be capable of blowing fire.
  • In the anime Mai-HiME, Mai's Child is based upon Kagutsuchi.
  • In the manga and anime Naruto: Shippuden, one of the main characters, Sasuke Uchiha, is shown to have the ability to manipulate the black flames of Amaterasu into various weapons. This is referred to as Blaze Release: Kagutsuchi, which refers to the fire god.
  • In the anime Ao No Exorcist, the hometown to several of the characters is Kyoto, where a powerful sword was made by Kagu-Tsuchi long ago.
  • In the video game series BlazBlue, the main setting of the first two games is the 13th Hierarchical City of Kagutsuchi.
    • In the same video game series, one of the playable characters, Nine the Phantom, can summon Hi no Kagutsuchi, an enormous fire elemental.
  • In the video game series Brave Frontier, Kagatsuchi is a fire-based battle unit. He takes the form of a centaur, and is described as "a disastrous beast".
  • In the manga Rurouni Kenshin, the main antagonist of the Kyoto Arc, Shishio Makoto, uses a technique called "The Final Secret Sword: Kagutsuchi" as a last resort "trump card", bringing down a cyclone of flames that his sword can produce at his enemy.
  • In the Shin Megami Tensei and Persona franchises, Kagutsuchi is a recurring figure in various titles. In some he is a regular demon to be recruited, a sword bearing his name in reference to the novels the franchises are based on, and in others he is a central figure to the plot.
  • In the video game Call of Duty: Black Ops II, a fire-elemental staff known as "Kagutsuchi's Blood" can be obtained on the Zombies map "Origins".
  • In the mobile phone game Puzzle and Dragons, developed by Gung-ho, Hino Kagutsuchi is a collectible fire monster.
  • In the card game Yu-Gi-Oh!, alongside Susanoo, Amaterasu, and Tsukuyomi, Kagutsuchi is one of the 4 Xyz Monsters of Bujin.
  • In the mobile game Monster Strike, Kagutsuchi is a fire collectible, along with Susano'o, Amaterasu, Inari, Izanami, Izanagi and more.
  • In the mobile game Dragalia Lost, Kagutsuchi appears as a red Flame-type dragon with golden armor fused to his body, given the title of "Incandescent General". He is described as the rival of the game's similarly-dragonized version of Marishi-Ten, with the two of them inadvertently creating a magical hot spring in the Hogo region of Hinomoto, the game's version of Japan, during one of their duels, when Marishiten caused Kagutsuchi's molten blood to seep into the spring's water, permanently heating it and leading the locals to dub it the Bloodspring or Twin-Wyrm Spring in honor of the dragons' eventual friendship. When Kagutsuchi is not waging war, he is usually basking in a hot spring or frying chicken, which he offers to his allies.
  • In the manga and anime Gintama, the main weapon aboard the Altana Liberation Army's flag ship Amenotorifune, intended to destroy the Earth, is called "Hinokagutsuchi".
  • In the video game Ghost of Tsushima, there is a Charm of Kagu-Tsuchi. This charm is granted by finding and honoring the Plum Blossom Shrine.
  • In the light novel High School DxD: Slash/Dog series, Kagu-tsuchi is the Shinto God of Fire and also the patron deity of the Himejima Clan whom in turned blessed them with the power of spiritual flames. A descendant of the Himejima, Tobio Ikuse is the wielder of the Ame no Ohabari, the divine sword which killed Kagu-tsuchi. The sword is infused with Kagu-tsuchi's divine flames, which grant it immense power to kill even a Demon Lord Gressil.
  • In the video game series The Alchemist Code, the royal family of Wadatsumi, Rising Ashes, which consists of Mitsuha, Kagura, Zeke Crowley and Logi Crowley, uses a fire ability called Kagutsuchi, which takes the form of a phoenix when used. This technique is very powerful against a type of enemy, ogres. In difficult situations, Mitsuha, Kagura and Logi use an advanced form of the fire technique, called "Kagutsuchi Kiraboshi".
  • In the 2022 video game God of War Ragnarök, it is implied that Týr reflects upon his knowledge of Kagu-Tsuchi as an inspiration for his combat tactics during his final encounter against Kratos in the game's free, and seemingly final downloadable content patch released in early December 2023.

Family tree

edit
Ōyamatsumi[6][7][8] Susanoo[9][10][11]: 277 
Kamuo Ichihime[7][8][12][13]
Konohanachiru-hime[14][11]: 277 Ashinazuchi[15][16]Tenazuchi[16]Toshigami[13][12]Ukanomitama[7][8]
(Inari)[17]
Oyamakui[18]
Kushinadahime[16][19][11]: 277 
Yashimajinumi[14][11]: 277 
Kagutsuchi[20]
Kuraokami[21]
Hikawahime [ja][22][11]: 278 Fuha-no-Mojikunusunu [ja][11]: 278 
Fukabuchi-no-Mizuyarehana [ja][11]: 278 Ame-no-Tsudoechine [ja][11]: 278 Funozuno [ja][11]: 278 
Sashikuni Okami [ja][11]: 278 Omizunu[11]: 278 Futemimi [ja][11]: 278 
Sashikuni Wakahime [ja][11]: 278 Ame-no-Fuyukinu[23][24][11]: 278 Takamimusubi[25][26]
Futodama[25][26]
Nunakawahime[27] Ōkuninushi[28][11]: 278 
(Ōnamuchi)[29]
Kamotaketsunumi no Mikoto[30]
Kotoshironushi[31][32] Tamakushi-hime[30] Takeminakata[33][34] Susa Clan[35]
 
JAPANESE
EMPERORS
711–585 BC
 
Jimmu[36]
660–585 BC(1)
Himetataraisuzu-hime[36]Kamo no Okimi[31][37]Mirahime [ja]
632–549 BC
 
Suizei[38][39][40]
581–549 BC(2)
Isuzuyori-hime[37][41] Hikoyai[38][39][40] Kamuyaimimi[38][39][40]
d.577 BC
Miwa clan and Kamo clan Nunasokonakatsu-hime[42][31]
Imperial House of JapanŌ clan[43][44] and Aso clan[45]
  • Pink is female.
  • Blue is male.
  • Grey means other or unknown.
  • Clans, families, people groups are in green.

See also

edit

Notes

edit
  1. ^ "Encyclopedia of Shinto - Home : Kami in Classic Texts : Kagutsuchi". eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
  2. ^ Cartwright, Mark (27 June 2017). "Kagutsuchi". World History Encyclopedia. World History Publishing. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021.
  3. ^ "Encyclopedia of Shinto - Home : Kami in Classic Texts : Ōyamatsumi". eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  4. ^ a b Ashkenazi, Michael (5 November 2003). Handbook of Japanese Mythology. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. p. 186. ISBN 978-1-57607-468-8.
  5. ^ Kokugo Dai Jiten, Revised Edition (国語大辞典(新装版)) (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Shogakukan, 1988
  6. ^ Kaoru, Nakayama (7 May 2005). "Ōyamatsumi". Encyclopedia of Shinto. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
  7. ^ a b c Chamberlain (1882). Section XIX.—The Palace of Suga.
  8. ^ a b c Chamberlain (1882). Section XX.—The August Ancestors of the Deity-Master-of-the-Great-Land.
  9. ^ Atsushi, Kadoya (10 May 2005). "Susanoo". Encyclopedia of Shinto. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
  10. ^ "Susanoo | Description & Mythology". Encyclopedia Britannica.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Herbert, J. (2010). Shinto: At the Fountainhead of Japan. Routledge Library Editions: Japan. Taylor & Francis. p. 402. ISBN 978-1-136-90376-2. Retrieved 2020-11-21.
  12. ^ a b 大年神 [Ōtoshi-no-kami] (in Japanese). Kotobank. Archived from the original on 5 June 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  13. ^ a b 大年神 [Ōtoshi-no-kami] (in Japanese). Kokugakuin University. Archived from the original on 5 June 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  14. ^ a b Mori, Mizue. "Yashimajinumi". Kokugakuin University Encyclopedia of Shinto.
  15. ^ Frédéric, L.; Louis-Frédéric; Roth, K. (2005). Japan Encyclopedia. Harvard University Press reference library. Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-674-01753-5. Retrieved 2020-11-21.
  16. ^ a b c "My Shinto: Personal Descriptions of Japanese Religion and Culture". www2.kokugakuin.ac.jp. Retrieved 2023-10-16.
  17. ^ “‘My Own Inari’: Personalization of the Deity in Inari Worship.” Japanese Journal of Religious Studies 23, no. 1/2 (1996): 87-88
  18. ^ "Ōtoshi | 國學院大學デジタルミュージアム". 2022-08-17. Archived from the original on 2022-08-17. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  19. ^ "Encyclopedia of Shinto - Home : Kami in Classic Texts : Kushinadahime". eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp.
  20. ^ "Kagutsuchi". World History Encyclopedia.
  21. ^ Ashkenazi, M. (2003). Handbook of Japanese Mythology. Handbooks of world mythology. ABC-CLIO. p. 213. ISBN 978-1-57607-467-1. Retrieved 2020-11-21.
  22. ^ Chamberlain, B.H. (2012). Kojiki: Records of Ancient Matters. Tuttle Classics. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4629-0511-9. Retrieved 2020-11-21.
  23. ^ Philippi, Donald L. (2015). Kojiki. Princeton University Press. p. 92.
  24. ^ Chamberlain (1882). Section XX.—The August Ancestors of the Deity-Master-Of-The-Great Land.
  25. ^ a b Ponsonby-Fane, R. A. B. (2014-06-03). Studies In Shinto & Shrines. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-136-89294-3.
  26. ^ a b "Encyclopedia of Shinto - Home : Kami in Classic Texts : Futodama". eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp. Retrieved 2021-07-13.
  27. ^ Philippi, Donald L. (2015). Kojiki. Princeton University Press. pp. 104–112.
  28. ^ Atsushi, Kadoya; Tatsuya, Yumiyama (20 October 2005). "Ōkuninushi". Encyclopedia of Shinto. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
  29. ^ Atsushi, Kadoya (21 April 2005). "Ōnamuchi". Encyclopedia of Shinto. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
  30. ^ a b The Emperor's Clans: The Way of the Descendants, Aogaki Publishing, 2018.
  31. ^ a b c Varley, H. Paul. (1980). Jinnō Shōtōki: A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns. Columbia University Press. p. 89. ISBN 9780231049405.
  32. ^ Atsushi, Kadoya (28 April 2005). "Kotoshironushi". Encyclopedia of Shinto. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
  33. ^ Sendai Kuji Hongi, Book 4 (先代舊事本紀 巻第四), in Keizai Zasshisha, ed. (1898). Kokushi-taikei, vol. 7 (国史大系 第7巻). Keizai Zasshisha. pp. 243–244.
  34. ^ Chamberlain (1882). Section XXIV.—The Wooing of the Deity-of-Eight-Thousand-Spears.
  35. ^ Tanigawa Ken'ichi [de] 『日本の神々 神社と聖地 7 山陰』(新装復刊) 2000年 白水社 ISBN 978-4-560-02507-9
  36. ^ a b Kazuhiko, Nishioka (26 April 2005). "Isukeyorihime". Encyclopedia of Shinto. Archived from the original on 2023-03-21. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
  37. ^ a b 『神話の中のヒメたち もうひとつの古事記』p94-97「初代皇后は「神の御子」」
  38. ^ a b c 日本人名大辞典+Plus, デジタル版. "日子八井命とは". コトバンク (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  39. ^ a b c ANDASSOVA, Maral (2019). "Emperor Jinmu in the Kojiki". Japan Review (32): 5–16. ISSN 0915-0986. JSTOR 26652947.
  40. ^ a b c "Visit Kusakabeyoshimi Shrine on your trip to Takamori-machi or Japan". trips.klarna.com. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  41. ^ 『図説 歴代天皇紀』p42-43「綏靖天皇」
  42. ^ Anston, p. 143 (Vol. 1)
  43. ^ Grapard, Allan G. (2023-04-28). The Protocol of the Gods: A Study of the Kasuga Cult in Japanese History. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-91036-2.
  44. ^ Tenri Journal of Religion. Tenri University Press. 1968.
  45. ^ Takano, Tomoaki; Uchimura, Hiroaki (2006). History and Festivals of the Aso Shrine. Aso Shrine, Ichinomiya, Aso City.: Aso Shrine.

References

edit
edit