Ōkunitama no Kami
大国魂神
The great divine spirit of the land of Yamato; guardian of the Japanese nation; enshrined at Ōkunitama Jinja in Fuchu, Tokyo
About
Ōkunitama no Kami (大国魂神) is the great divine spirit of the Land of Yamato. According to the Nihon Shoki, when Emperor Sujin's reign was afflicted by epidemics, an oracle revealed that the cause was the improper enshrinement of Yamato Ōkunitama no Kami. Through the medium Yamato Totohimomoso Hime, the deity's true identity was revealed as Ōmononushi (Ōkunitama being an alternative name), and proper rites were established.
The Ōkunitama Jinja in Fuchu City, Tokyo (formerly Musashi Province), is one of Japan's oldest shrines. The deity is considered the guardian spirit of the entire Musashi region and, by extension, the nation. In some traditions, Ōkunitama is a separate identity from Okuninushi, representing the abstract concept of the 'Great Spirit of the Nation' rather than a personal deity.
Shrines Dedicated to This Deity
| Shrine | Prefecture | Network Role |
|---|---|---|
| Hokkaido Shrine 北海道神宮 | Hokkaido | head |
| Obihiro Shrine 帯廣神社 | Hokkaido | independent |
| Asahikawa Shrine 旭川神社 | Hokkaido | independent |
Frequently Asked Questions
Information provided by Jinja DB Editorial Team
Who is Ōkunitama no Kami in Japanese mythology?
Ōkunitama no Kami (大国魂神) is The great divine spirit of the land of Yamato; guardian of the Japanese nation; enshrined at Ōkunitama Jinja in Fuchu, Tokyo. This deity appears in Kojiki & Nihon Shoki and is enshrined at 3 shrines across Japan.
What shrines are dedicated to Ōkunitama no Kami?
There are 3 shrines in our database dedicated to Ōkunitama no Kami, including Hokkaido Shrine, Obihiro Shrine, Asahikawa Shrine.
What myths involve Ōkunitama no Kami?
Ōkunitama no Kami appears in myths from Kojiki & Nihon Shoki. The deity is known as The great divine spirit of the land of Yamato; guardian of the Japanese nation; enshrined at Ōkunitama Jinja in Fuchu, Tokyo.