Umashiashikabihikoji
Umashiashikabihikoji (宇摩志阿斯訶備比古遅; Lit. "Reed Shoot Prince Elderly Kami") is a kami (Shinto diety). According to the Kojiki, he came into being as a hitorigami early in the creation of the universe. He was the fourth kami to come into existence and the first to have a gendered name.[1][2] The tale in the Kojiki states he came into existence from something like reed shoots that sprouted forth from oil drifting like a jellyfish when the land was young. He was preceded by Kamimusubi and followed by Amenotokotachi.[3]
Umashiashikabihikoji also makes appearances in the Nihon Shoki, though there his name is Umashiashikabihikoji-no-mikoto (可美葦芽彦舅尊; Lit. "Sweet Reed-Shoot Prince Elder") and there are several different stories, some of which claim he was the first kami, while others claim he was the second. The Nihongi does not use the term hitorigami, but it does say Umashiashikabihikoji was made entirely of male escence.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ "Encyclopedia of Shinto - Home : Concepts of Kami : Hitorigami". 2011-05-18. Archived from the original on 2011-05-18. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
- ^ "Umashiashikabihikoji • . A History . . of Japan . 日本歴史".
- ^ Philippi, Donald L., ed. (2002). Kojiki. Tokyo: University of Tokyo Press. ISBN 978-0-86008-320-7.
- ^ Aston, William George, ed. (2011). Nihongi: chronicles of Japan from the earliest times to A.D. 697. Routledge library editions. Japan. London New York: Routledge. ISBN 978-0-203-84195-2.