Ame-no-wakahiko

Amewakahiko (天若日子, 天稚彦 Heavenly Young Boy) In some versions of Japanese mythology is a god of grains.[2][3] and the son of Amatsukunitama.[4]

Amewakahiko
god of grains [1]
Personal information
ParentsAmatsukunitama (father)
SpouseShitateruhime (wife)

Mythology

Sent to earth

In many versions after when Ame-no-hohi did not send word for three years, all the gods were gathered up, and Ame-no-wakahiko was one who was chosen to rule the earth. In many versions Amenowakahiko was given a bow.[4][5]

In some versions however, Amewakahiko is the son of Ame-no-hohi. And Amewakahiko was sent to earth to look for him.[6]

Death

In some versions, Amewakahiko fell in love with Shitateruhime. Eight years after no report back, the gods sent a bird named Nakime down to earth to check in on him. Amewakahiko, with his bow, shot the bird. The arrow pierced through the bird, but the arrow flew all the way to heaven. Takamimusubi saw the arrow and threw it back at the earth where it hit Amewakahiko while he was laying in bed, killing him.[4][5][7]

Other versions state that Amaterasu was the one who shot the arrow back at him.[8]

Funeral

After Amewakahiko's death, his parents built a hut (喪屋 moya) for their son. Ajisukitakahikone went down to pay his respect. However, due to Ajisukitakahikone looking similar to Amewakahiko he was mistaken to be Amewakahiko brought back to life. Ajisukitakahikone was offended by this and destroyed the hut and kicked it. The hut landed in the land of Mino and became a mountain called Moyama.[9][5]

Shrine

Amewakahiko is believed to enshrined at Abiko Shrine.[10]

Also see

References
  1. "天若日子 京都通百科事典". 京都通百科事典 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-09-29.
  2. "天若日子|アメノワカヒコ|日本神話の世界". www.shinwanosekai.info. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
  3. "天若日子 京都通百科事典". 京都通百科事典 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-09-29.
  4. "Encyclopedia of Shinto - Home : Kami in Classic Texts : Amewakahiko". eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
  5. Roberts, Jeremy (2009). Japanese Mythology A to Z. Infobase Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4381-2802-3.
  6. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Japanese_Mythology_A_to_Z/xdfgjV2kw6oC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Ame-no-wakahiko&pg=PA6&printsec=frontcover
  7. The East. East Publications, Incorporated. 1992.
  8. Abe, C. (2003). Impurity and Death: A Japanese Perspective. Universal Publishers. p. 38. ISBN 978-1-58112-195-7. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
  9. https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Nihongi:_Chronicles_of_Japan_from_the_Earliest_Times_to_A.D._697/Book_II
  10. "安孫子神社（滋賀県豊郷駅）のアクセス・お参りの情報 ｜ホトカミ". ホトカミ. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
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