Kami of the Kojiki
Kumano no Yama no Araburu Kami
熊野山之荒神
A fierce kami of the land who appeared in the form of a great bear before the forces of Kamuyamato Iwarebiko no Mikoto, who had landed at Kumano. Its poisonous air made the party lose their senses, but through the power of the sword (Sajifutsu no Kami) presented by Takakuraji, the kami was subdued of itself, and the forces regained their senses.
This page introduces the name and the story recorded in the Kojiki.
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
Story and genealogy in the Kojiki
A fierce kami of the land who appeared in the form of a great bear before the forces of Kamuyamato Iwarebiko no Mikoto, who had landed at Kumano. Its poisonous air made the party lose their senses, but through the power of the sword (Sajifutsu no Kami) presented by Takakuraji, the kami was subdued of itself, and the forces regained their senses.
Source: 國學院大學・青空文庫／武田祐吉校訂
Names and how they are recorded
It is also referred to as 化熊, the bear it had changed into.
Source: 國學院大學
Scenes in the text
Appears in the Kojiki in “Recollections of Ancient Times” (Preface) and “Takakuraji of Kumano” (Record of Emperor Jinmu). You can trace the relevant passages of the text through the sources below.
Source: 國學院大學・青空文庫／武田祐吉校訂
An example of a chant (in Japanese)
祓え給い、清め給え、神（かむ）ながら守り給い、幸（さきわ）え給え
Sources (in Japanese)
- 國學院大學「古事記ビューアー・神名データベース「熊野山之荒神」」（2026-10-15 確認）
- 青空文庫／武田祐吉校訂「校註 古事記 〔熊野より大和へ〕」（2026-10-15 確認）