Read, reflect, pray
Kojiki: The small kami and the light across the sea
Kojiki · Story 9 of 22
小さな神と、海を照らす神
Building the land together, not alone.
English translation of this site’s published story summary and reading notes. This is a selected reading guide, not a complete translation of the ancient chronicle.
Story summary
A deity arrives before Ōkuninushi in a tiny boat riding the waves. On Taniguku’s recommendation he asks Kuebiko, learning that the visitor is Sukunabikona, child of Kamimusubi. Following Kamimusubi’s words, the two cooperate to build and consolidate the land.
When Sukunabikona leaves for Tokoyo, Ōkuninushi wonders anxiously with whom he can continue. A deity appears illuminating the sea and says that proper worship will enable them to build the land together, requesting enshrinement on a mountain east of Yamato. The text calls this the deity dwelling on Mount Mimoro.
The following genealogy of Ōtoshi lists deities connected to land and everyday life, including hearth deities and Ōyamakui. It also states that Ōyamakui dwells on Mount Hie in Ōmi and at Matsunoo in Kadono.
Reading note
The sea-illuminating deity does not name himself Ōmononushi in this Upper Book scene. Identification through Miwa belief can be distinguished from the Middle Book passage explicitly naming Ōmononushi.
Compare with the Nihon Shoki
Connected figures
Names and relationships in a chronicle may differ from later traditions. Each figure’s introduction identifies its sources.
Sources and edition (3)
English explanations on this page were prepared by Inori no Mori from the cited text and its Japanese explanations. They are not an official translation or a prescribed liturgy.