Futodama

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Futodama
God of Rituals,Oracle and Divination
Personal information
ParentsTakamimusubi
SiblingsOmoikane, Takuhatachiji-hime
ChildrenKamotaketsunumi no Mikoto
Equivalents
Greek equivalentPhoebe

Futodama (布刀玉命) is a god in Japanese mythology, claimed to be the ancestor of Imbe clan, whose characteristics are believed to reflect the functions of the clan as court ritualists.[1]

Name and etymology[edit]

The god is known as Ame-no-Futodama-no-Mikoto (天太玉命) or Futodama (布刀玉, 太玉) for short. His name is speculated to mean great gift or offering.[2][3]

Myths[edit]

After Susanoo accidentally killed one of Amaterasu's attendants in her weaving hall, she got upset and locked herself in Amano-Iwato causing the world to plunge into darkness, so Omoikane and other gods came up with a plan to get her out.[4] Futodama and Amenokoyane were tasked with performing a divination. After Amaterasu left the cave, Futodama used a shimenawa to prevent her from going back to the cave again. This story is said to be the mythical origin of shimenawa.[5]

In Kogo shūi, Futodama is placed as the leader of the preformed rituals.[1]

Family[edit]

Further information: Family Tree of Japanese deities
TakamimusubiAmaterasu
FutodamaTakuhadachiji-hime Oshihomimi
Inbe clanNinigi-no-Mikoto

In Kogo shūi Futodama is the child of Takuhatachijihime, and grandchild of Takamimusubi.[citation needed] But in many versions he is the son of Takamimusubi and the uncle to Ninigi.[6][1]

Worship[edit]

Futodama is believed to be enshrined at Awa shrine, where there is a festival to the kami every year on August 10.[7] He is also enshrined at Amatsu Shrine alongside Ninigi and Ame-no-Koyane.[8] The Engi Shiki lists several shrines to Futodama in Izumi Province.[citation needed]

Popular culture[edit]

In the Japanese role playing game Shin Megami Tensei IV Futotama is a level 42 demon. Futotama creates other demons when fused; if he is fused with Virtue it creates Israfel, and if Futotama is fused with Master Therion it creates Vivian.[9]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Encyclopedia of Shinto - Home : Kami in Classic Texts : Futodama". eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp. Retrieved 2021-07-13.
  2. ^ Aston, W. G. (2015-11-16). Shinto - The Ancient Religion of Japan. Read Books Ltd. ISBN 978-1-4733-7719-6.
  3. ^ Aston, William George (1905). Shinto, the Way of the Gods. Longmans, Green. ISBN 9780524006801.
  4. ^ "Amaterasu". Mythopedia. Retrieved 2021-07-13.
  5. ^ Bocking, Brian (2005-09-30). A Popular Dictionary of Shinto. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-135-79738-6.
  6. ^ Ponsonby-Fane, R. A. B. (2014-06-03). Studies In Shinto & Shrines. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-136-89294-3.
  7. ^ Fr?d?ric, Louis; Louis-Frédéric (2002). Japan Encyclopedia. Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-674-01753-5.
  8. ^ "Kotodamaya - Amatsu Jinja". www.kotodamaya.com (in Japanese). 21 January 2009. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  9. ^ Shin Megami Tensei IV - Strategy Guide. Gamer Guides. 7 November 2015. ISBN 9781631027192.
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