Kami (Shinto deity)
Takemikazuchi no Ōkami
武甕槌大神
Kashima Jingū introduces Takemikazuchi no Ōkami as a kami connected with the founding of the nation and with the martial arts. In the myth handed down by the shrine, Takemikazuchi receives the command of Amaterasu Ōmikami and goes to Izumo together with Futsunushi no Ōkami.
This page introduces myths and the faith handed down at individual shrines, with their sources. Descriptions of divine virtues are explanations within religious faith and do not guarantee the outcome of any prayer. We do not set uniform rules for the traditions or customs of individual shrines and temples.
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
The warrior kami of Kashima
Kashima Jingū introduces Takemikazuchi no Ōkami as a kami connected with the founding of the nation and with the martial arts. In the myth handed down by the shrine, Takemikazuchi receives the command of Amaterasu Ōmikami and goes to Izumo together with Futsunushi no Ōkami.
Source: 鹿島神宮
Faith in the martial arts and the protection of the nation
The history of Kashima Jingū tells of how Takemikazuchi was revered by the imperial court and by warrior families as a kami of war and of protection. We introduce this as faith connected with the prayers of people who practice the martial arts, and do not link it with harming others or with any guarantee of victory or defeat.
Source: 鹿島神宮
The transfer of the land and the sword Futsu no Mitama
At Kashima Jingū, Takemikazuchi is spoken of as the kami who accomplished the negotiations with Ōkuninushi no Kami for the transfer of the land (kuniyuzuri). The shrine's explanation of its enshrined kami also introduces a tradition that Takemikazuchi aided Emperor Jinmu's eastern expedition through the power of the sword Futsu no Mitama no Tsurugi.
Source: 鹿島神宮
Distinguishing the accompanying kami and the sacred sword
In the transfer of the land in the Kojiki, the kami sent together with Takemikazuchi no Kami is Ame no Torifune no Kami. The story of going with Futsunushi no Kami is drawn from separate sources, such as the histories of Kashima and Katori. The sword that Takemikazuchi no Kami sends down in the middle volume is recorded under the names Sajifutsu no Kami, Mikafutsu no Kami and Futsu no Mitama, and we do not treat the name of the sacred sword as another name for Takemikazuchi no Kami.
Source: 國學院大學・青空文庫（武田祐吉注釈校訂）
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
Related shrines and temples
- Kashima JingūKashima, Ibaraki Prefecture
- Kasuga TaishaNara, Nara Prefecture
- Kandani JinjaSakaide, Kagawa Prefecture
- Hiraoka JinjaHigashiōsaka, Osaka Prefecture
- Kada Kasuga JinjaWakayama, Wakayama Prefecture
- Yoshida JinjaSakyō Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
- Ōharano JinjaNishikyō Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
- Sakuragi JinjaNoda, Chiba Prefecture
- Tachiki JinjaKusatsu, Shiga Prefecture
- Shinzan JinjaOga, Akita Prefecture
- Kasuga Jinja (Kasuga)Kasuga, Fukuoka Prefecture
- Hinoo JinjaMiyakonojō, Miyazaki Prefecture
- Obama JinjaUnzen, Nagasaki Prefecture
- Ichiidani Nanano JinjaKamigyō, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
- Kashima Miko JinjaIshinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture
Sources (in Japanese)
- 鹿島神宮「御由緒・御祭神」（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「建御雷之男神」」（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「建布都神」」（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「豊布都神」」（2026-10-15 確認）
- 國學院大學「『古事記』上巻・葦原中国平定⑤（校訂本文）」（2026-10-15 確認）
- 青空文庫（武田祐吉注釈校訂）「『校註 古事記』中巻・神武天皇「熊野より大和へ」」（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「建布都神」」（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「建御雷之男神」」（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「豊布都神」」（2026-10-15 確認）