Ame-no-Ohabari (Japanese: 天之尾羽張), Ameno Ohabari, or Ama-no-Ohabari is a legendary Japanese blade.[1] that roughly translates to "Heaven-Point-Blade-Extended".[2][3] It is primarily found in the Izumo mythology. It is a kind of sword known as a Totsuka-no-Tsurugi or a "Sword of Length of Ten Fists" which seems to be distinguished by its length and having a double-sided blade.[1]
Overview
Wielded by the male creator-god Izanagi, this blade is used to cut up the infant Fire God Kagutsuchi after his birth burns Izanami to death.[1] It cuts the Fire God into multiple pieces, creating eight volcano-gods. When blood drips from the blade afterwards, the Sea God Watatsumi and the Rain God Kuraokami are formed.
The name of the ten-fist sword wielded by Izanagi is given postscripturally as Ame-no-ohabari, otherwise known as Itsu-no-ohabari.[4]
In the Kojiki (Conquest of Izumo chapter), the heavenly deities Amaterasu and Takamusubi decreed that either Takemikazuchi or his father Itsu-no-ohabari ("Heaven-Point-Blade-Extended") must be sent down for the conquest. Itsu-no-ohabari (who appeared previously as a ten-fist sword) here has the mind and speech of a sentient god, and he volunteered his son Takemikazuchi for the subjugation campaign. Takemikazuchi was accompanied by Ame-no-torifune [ja] "Deity Heavenly-Bird-Boat" (which may be a boat as well as being a god)[2][3]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Encyclopedia of Shinto - Home : Kami in Classic Texts : Amenoohabari". 2011-05-19. Archived from the original on 2011-05-19. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- ^ a b Chamberlain 1919, §XXXII, Abdication of the deity Master-of-the-Great-Land, pp.121-
- ^ a b 武田 1996『古事記』text p. 60/ mod. Ja. tr. p.244
- ^ Ouwehand, Cornelis; Logunova, Vera Vasil'evna (1964). Namazu-e and Their Themes: An Interpretative Approach to Some Aspects of Japanese Folk Religion. Brill Archive. pp. 57–., gives sword as "Itsu-no-o habari"
Bibliography
- Chamberlain, Basil Hall (1919) [1882]. A Translation of the "Ko-ji-ki," or a record of ancient matters. Transactions of the Asiatic Society of Japan. Vol. X.
- 武田, 祐吉 (Yūkichi Takeda) (1996) [1977]. 中村啓信 (ed.). 新訂古事記. 講談社. pp. 60, 62, 77, 78, 95. ISBN 4-04-400101-4.
- Aston, William George (1896). Nihongi: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to A.D. 697. Vol. 1. London: Japan Society of London. ISBN 9780524053478., English translation
- 宇治谷, 孟 (Tsutomu Ujitani) (1988). 日本書紀. Vol. 上. 講談社. ISBN 9780802150585.
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This page was last edited on 1 January 2024, at 17:50