Read, reflect, pray
Kojiki: The kami of Miwa and a single thread
Kojiki · Story 15 of 22
三輪の神と、一筋の糸
From a dream revelation to worship.
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
During Emperor Sujin’s reign an epidemic spreads, distressing him. Appearing in a dream, Ōmononushi instructs that Ōtataneko should worship him. Envoys search the regions and find the man; the emperor appoints him priest to worship Miwa’s deity.
After rites are also performed for the deities of Sumisaka, Ōsaka, slopes, and rivers, the epidemic ends and the country settles, the narrative says. Divine name, worshiper’s lineage, and ritual location form one story.
An accompanying account explains that lineage. A needle and thread are attached to the clothes of a young man visiting Ikutamayoribime nightly; following the thread leads to the deity’s shrine on Mount Miwa. The remaining loops of thread also explain the place-name.
Reading note
Unlike the Upper Book scene on Mount Mimoro, this Middle Book episode explicitly names Ōmononushi. The dream and thread-following scenes connect worship and genealogy.
Connected figures
Names and relationships in a chronicle may differ from later traditions. Each figure’s introduction identifies its sources.
Sources and edition (1)
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.