Hiruko (Ebisu)
蛭子神
God of fishing, commerce, and good fortune; originally the imperfect firstborn cast adrift
About
Hiruko is one of the most poignant figures in Japanese mythology. As the first child of Izanagi and Izanami, he was born without bones (or in a leech-like form), the result of a ritual error—Izanami had spoken first during the wedding ceremony, violating proper protocol. The deformed child was placed in a reed boat and set adrift on the ocean.
Despite this seemingly cruel beginning, Hiruko's story took a remarkable turn in medieval and early modern religion. Folk tradition identified the castaway child with Ebisu, one of the most beloved of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune. The child who was rejected by the gods washed ashore and became the smiling patron of fishermen and merchants.
This transformation from rejected firstborn to joyful prosperity deity is theologically rich, suggesting that even divine rejection can lead to redemption and new purpose. Nishinomiya Shrine in Hyogo Prefecture is the head shrine of the Ebisu-Hiruko tradition.
Mythology
Family Relationships
Animal Messenger
Sea bream (Tai) (鯛（たい）)
As Ebisu, Hiruko is invariably depicted holding a fishing rod and a sea bream, symbols of his association with the sea and abundance.
Shrines Dedicated to This Deity
| Shrine | Prefecture | Network Role |
|---|---|---|
| Nishinomiya Shrine 西宮神社 | Hyogo | Head shrine (souhonsha) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Information provided by Jinja DB Editorial Team
Who is Hiruko (Ebisu) in Japanese mythology?
Hiruko (Ebisu) (蛭子神) is God of fishing, commerce, and good fortune; originally the imperfect firstborn cast adrift. This deity appears in Kojiki & Nihon Shoki and is enshrined at 1 shrines across Japan.
What shrines are dedicated to Hiruko (Ebisu)?
There are 1 shrines in our database dedicated to Hiruko (Ebisu), including Nishinomiya Shrine.
What myths involve Hiruko (Ebisu)?
Hiruko (Ebisu) appears in 1 myths including The Birth of the Land (Kuniumi). These stories come from Kojiki & Nihon Shoki.