Futodama

Futodama
God of Rituals, Oracle and Divination
Genealogy
Parents	Takamimusubi
Siblings	Omoikane, Takuhadachiji-hime
Children	Kamotaketsunumi no Mikoto
Equivalents
Greek	Phoebe

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

Name and etymology

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

After Susanoo accidentally killed one of Amaterasu's attendants in her weaving hall, she got upset and locked herself in Ama-no-Iwato, causing the world to plunge into darkness. After almost a year of chaos, Omoikane and the other gods came up with a plan to get her out.[4] Futodama and Ame-no-Koyane 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 the Kogo Shūi, Futodama is placed as the leader of the performed rituals.[1]

Family

Further information: Family Tree of Japanese deities

Takamimusubi

Amaterasu

Futodama

Takuhadachiji-hime

Oshihomimi

Inbe clan

Ninigi-no-Mikoto

In the Kogo Shūi, Futodama is recorded as the son of Takamimusubi, and brother of Takuhadachiji-hime and Ame-no-Oshihi-no-Mikoto.[6][7]

Worship

Futodama is believed to be enshrined at Awa shrine, where there is a festival to the kami every year on August 10.[8] He is also enshrined at Amatsu Shrine alongside Ninigi and Ame-no-Koyane.[9] The Engi Shiki lists several shrines to Futodama in Izumi Province.[10]

Popular culture

Futodama appears as a demon in the Japanese role playing game Shin Megami Tensei IV.[11]

References

1. "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. p. 52. ISBN 978-1-4733-7719-6.
3. Aston, William George (1905). Shinto, the Way of the Gods. Longmans, Green. p. 184. ISBN 9780524006801.
4. "Amaterasu". Mythopedia. Retrieved 2021-07-13.
5. Bocking, Brian (2005-09-30). A Popular Dictionary of Shinto. Routledge. p. 164. ISBN 978-1-135-79738-6.
6. Hoshino, Hikoshirō; Katō, Genchi (1925). Kogoshūi – Gleanings from Ancient Stories. Tokyo: Meiji Japan Society. p. 17.
7. Ponsonby-Fane, R. A. B. (2014-06-03). Studies In Shinto & Shrines. Routledge. p. 11. ISBN 978-1-136-89294-3.
8. Frédéric, Louis (2002). Japan Encyclopedia. Translated by Roth, Käthe. Harvard University Press. p. 61. ISBN 978-0-674-01753-5.
9. "Kotodamaya - Amatsu Jinja". www.kotodamaya.com (in Japanese). 21 January 2009. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
10. Yasumaro, Ō (9 September 2014). The Kojiki – An Account of Ancient Matters. Translated by Heldt, Gustav. Columbia University Press. p. 235. ISBN 9780231163897.
11. Shin Megami Tensei IV - Strategy Guide. Gamer Guides. 7 November 2015. ISBN 9781631027192.