Takemikazuchi no Kami
建御雷之男神
God of thunder, swords, martial arts, and sumo; emissary of the heavenly deities
About
Takemikazuchi was born from the blood that dripped from Izanagi's sword when he slew the fire god Kagutsuchi. As one of the most martial deities in the pantheon, he served as the principal emissary in the Kuniyuzuri episode, descending to Izumo to demand the surrender of the earthly realm from Okuninushi.
His confrontation with Okuninushi's son Takeminakata is presented in the Kojiki as a test of strength—essentially the mythological origin of sumo wrestling. After his victory, Takemikazuchi secured the peaceful transfer of the terrestrial realm to the heavenly lineage, paving the way for the descent of Ninigi.
Kashima Jingu in Ibaraki Prefecture is his principal shrine, and together with Futsunushi of Katori Jingu, the pair form the martial pillars of the Kanto region's ancient worship. The Kashima faith spread widely as samurai culture developed, and the 'Kashima-dachi' (departure from Kashima) became proverbial for setting forth on a great journey.
Mythology
Family Relationships
Parents
Animal Messenger
Deer (鹿（しか）)
Deer are the sacred messengers of Takemikazuchi. According to tradition, when the deity was invited to Kasuga Taisha in Nara, he rode upon a white deer. The famous deer of Nara Park are considered descendants of this divine messenger.
Shrines Dedicated to This Deity
| Shrine | Prefecture | Network Role |
|---|---|---|
| Wakkanai Hokumon Shrine 北門神社 | Hokkaido | head |
| Shiogama Shrine 鹽竈神社 | Miyagi | head |
| Koshio Shrine 古四王神社 | Akita | independent |
| Inage Shrine 稲毛神社 | Kanagawa | independent |
| Oharano Shrine 大原野神社 | Kyoto | Branch shrine |
| Yoshida Shrine 吉田神社 | Kyoto | |
| Kasuga Taisha 春日大社 | Nara | Head shrine (souhonsha) |
| Kasuga Shrine (Oita) 春日神社 | Oita | branch |
Frequently Asked Questions
Information provided by Jinja DB Editorial Team
Who is Takemikazuchi no Kami in Japanese mythology?
Takemikazuchi no Kami (建御雷之男神) is God of thunder, swords, martial arts, and sumo; emissary of the heavenly deities. This deity appears in Kojiki & Nihon Shoki and is enshrined at 8 shrines across Japan.
What shrines are dedicated to Takemikazuchi no Kami?
There are 8 shrines in our database dedicated to Takemikazuchi no Kami, including Wakkanai Hokumon Shrine, Shiogama Shrine, Koshio Shrine and more.
What myths involve Takemikazuchi no Kami?
Takemikazuchi no Kami appears in 2 myths including The Cession of the Land (Kuniyuzuri), The Eastern Expedition of Emperor Jimmu (Jimmu Tosei). These stories come from Kojiki & Nihon Shoki.