Encyclopedia of Shinto

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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
Amatsukunitama
Text [Amatsu kunitama no kami](Nihongi)
Sire of Amewakahiko, who learned of his son's death by hearing the wailing voice of Shitateruhime (Amewakahiko's consort) carried on the wind. Together with Amewakahiko's family, Amatsukunitama descended to Japan (Ashihara no Nakatsukuni or "Central Land of Reed Plains"), where he built a mourning hut, having birds make offerings while he spent eight days and eight nights wailing in funeral rites. But when his daughter-in-law's father Ajisukitakahikone arrived, Amatsukunitama embraced him, mistaking him for his own son returned from the dead. This act enraged Ajisukitakahiko, who then destroyed the mourning hut.

Alternate names for the "land kami" Ōkuninushi and Shitateruhime are Utsushikunitama and Wakakunitama, respectively, while the ama (sky, heaven) of the name Amatsukunitama indicates his status as a spirit belonging to the Plain of High Heaven, Takamanohara.

-Mori Mizue

Pronunciation in Japanese/用語音声

No movie/映像なし