Takemikazuchi- Japanese GodDeity"God of Thunder"

Birth from Blood

Takemikazuchi was born from the blood of the fire god Kagutsuchi. When Izanagi killed his son in grief over Izanami's death, blood dripped from the sword and spawned several deities. Takemikazuchi emerged from the blood at the blade's hilt, bound from his first moment to weapons and combat.

Previous envoys sent to demand Ōkuninushi's cession of the earthly realm had failed. Ame-no-Hohi had gone and never returned. Takemikazuchi descended to Izumo, thrust his sword point-down into the waves, and sat cross-legged upon its tip to confront Ōkuninushi. When Ōkuninushi deferred to his sons, Kotoshironushi consented at once. Takeminakata did not. He challenged Takemikazuchi to a wrestling match. Takemikazuchi seized his arm and crushed it like a reed stalk, then pursued the fleeing god to Lake Suwa, where Takeminakata submitted and swore never to leave. The land was cleared for Ninigi's descent from heaven.

The Earthquake Keystone

In Edo-period folklore, a giant catfish called Namazu lives deep beneath Japan. Its thrashings cause earthquakes. Takemikazuchi keeps Namazu pinned beneath the kaname-ishi, a sacred keystone. As long as he remains vigilant, the earth stays still. When his attention lapses during the annual gathering of gods at Izumo, the catfish stirs and tremors strike.

The kaname-ishi is said to be visible at Kashima Shrine as a small stone protruding from the ground, the tip of a massive pillar extending deep into the earth. After the Ansei Edo earthquake of 1855, namazu-e (catfish prints) flooded the markets, many of Takemikazuchi subduing the thrashing fish.

Kashima Shrine

Kashima Jingū in Ibaraki Prefecture is one of Japan's oldest shrines, traditionally dated to Emperor Jimmu's reign. The god born from a sword's blood drew swordsmen: Kashima Shintō-ryū, founded in the sixteenth century, traced its spiritual lineage to the shrine. The sacred deer that serve as Takemikazuchi's messengers were carried to Nara when Kasuga Grand Shrine was established for the Fujiwara clan, whose ancestor Ame-no-Koyane had accompanied Takemikazuchi during the Izumo mission.