Encyclopedia of Shinto

詳細表示 (Complete Article)

カテゴリー1: 2. Kami (Deities)
カテゴリー2: Kami in Classic Texts
Title
Omoikane
Text [Omoikane no kami](Kojiki)(Nihongi)
Other names: Tokoyo no omoikane no kami(Kojiki)



An offspring of the kami Takamimusuhi, and endowed with the ability to "think together" (omoi-kane) about various things. In Sendai kuji hongi, the kami's name is also given as Yagokoro Omoikane no kami ("the kami that thinks together myriad thoughts"). At the time Amaterasu hid away in the Rock Cave of Heaven, Omoikane considered various measures to draw her out again, leading to the successful return of Amaterasu to the world.

According to Kojiki, Omoikane was also entrusted by Takamimusuhi and Amaterasu with responsibility for selecting the messenger at the time of the "transfer of the land" (kuniyuzuri). Further, while five clan deities were sent as the main escorts for the Heavenly Grandchild at the time of the latter's descent (tenson kōrin), Omoikane was sent as an additional escort, together with Tajikarao and Amenoiwatowake. At that time, he was entrusted with enshrining the mirror serving as Amaterasu's "spirit vessel" (mitamashiro). Ultimately, it is said that he was enshrined, together with the mirror, in the "Isuzu Palace," namely, the Inner Shrine or Naikū at the Grand Shrines of Ise. Together with Tajikarao, he is now considered one of the "jointly enshrined" deities (see aidono) of Naikū.

-Mori Mizue

Pronunciation in Japanese/用語音声

No movie/映像なし