Kami (Shinto deity)
Mitsuhanome no Kami
弥都波能売神
In the Nihon Shoki, Mitsuhanome is written as 罔象女 and called a water kami. Kokugakuin University introduces interpretations of the name that link it with water sources and with water for irrigation.
This page introduces the myths told in the classics and the faith handed down in various places, with their sources. It does not guarantee that any particular wish will be fulfilled.
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
What kind of kami
In the Nihon Shoki, Mitsuhanome is written as 罔象女 and called a water kami. Kokugakuin University introduces interpretations of the name that link it with water sources and with water for irrigation.
Source: 國學院大學
What the myths hand down
In the Kojiki, Mitsuhanome is one of the kami who come forth from Izanami no Kami as she lies ill after giving birth to the kami of fire. It is told that Mitsuhanome came into being from her urine together with Wakumusuhi no Kami.
Source: 國學院大學
Links between the sources and faith
There are theories linking Mitsuhanome with the work of making water run, or with water that quells fire. While introducing the connection with water, we do not settle on a single theory about the name's origin or the relationship with other water kami.
Source: 國學院大學
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
Related shrines and temples
Sources (in Japanese)
- 國學院大學「古事記ビューアー・神名データベース「弥都波能売神」」（2026-10-15 確認）
- 國學院大學「古事記ビューアー・神名データベース「弥都波能売神」」（2026-10-15 確認）