Shinatsuhiko

Shinatsuhiko (Kojiki: 志那都比古神, Nihon Shoki: 級長津彦命) is a Japanese mythological god of wind (Fūjin). Another name for this deity is Shinatobe, who originally may have been a separate goddess of wind.[1]

The Nihon Shoki stated that Shinatsuhiko was born after Izanagi no Mikoto and Izanami no Mikoto created the great eight islands of Japan.[2] After these lands were completed, Izanagi blew at the morning mists that obscured them and these became Shinatsuhiko, God of the Wind.[2] A Shinto liturgical text or ritual incantation called norito addressed the god in this masculine name while a different name - Shinatobe - was ascribed to what is presumed to be his feminine version.[3][4] Some sources also called the wind deities Ame no Mihashira (pillar of Heaven) and Kuni no Mihashira (pillar of the Earth/Country) according to the belief that the wind supported the sky.[4] It is noted that these names preceded Shinatsuhiko and Shinatobe.[3]