Changes: Takemikazuchi

Revision as of 09:28, 24 August 2015

Takemikazuchi (タケミカヅチ) is a god of thunder. He is also sometimes identified as a god of swords. A significant god, he is of high standing in the heavens and is known for his skill in combat. His most well-known shinki is Kiun.

He was dispatched by the heavens to the vicinity of the entrance to Yomi in order to eliminate the previous incarnation of Ebisu, who was suspected of being "The Sorcerer".

Appearance

Takemikazuchichapter35 — Takemikazuchi in chapter 35

Takemikazuchi's appearance is that of a relatively young man, somewhere near Daikoku and Yato's ages appearance-wise. He has long, straight dark hair that is swept back, with two long fringes hanging from above his forehead over his ears. His long curved eyebrows are his most distinctive facial feature.

In his first appearance in Chapter 35, when confronting Ebisu near the entrance to Yomi, Takemikazuchi is seen wearing combat gear consisting of black pants, boots, gauntlets and a haori with a sash made of what seems to be leopard fur with a sheathed sword attached to it. In this appearance, Takemikazuchi's face (as well as his shinki's) is completely obscured by a large piece of white cloth, showing only some of his hair.

His face is first shown in chapter 57, where he is seen wearing a set of clothes similar to the garbs worn by Shinto priests.

Personality

Loud and carefree, Takemikazuchi has a very dominant personality. His behavior stands in stark contrast to Kiun's stern and reserved disposition. He can also be quite lazy, expressing reluctance to fulfill the mission he was entrusted with by the heavens at one point. Fitting his reputation as a god versed in combat, he seems to be bored with how peaceful Takamagahara is at present, claiming that he would've liked it if it was under some kind of threat for a change.

Takemikazuchi has a strong desire to obtain a blessed regalia, especially after seeing how powerful Kazuma's attack on Kiun was despite him being just an earring. In one conversation with Kiun, he even commands him in a somewhat comic fashion to become his blessed regalia (albeit Kiun's opinion on the nature of blessed regalia is very different from his master's).

Abilities

File:Takeonacloud.jpg

Takemikazuchi and his shinki on a cloud

Cloud Manipulation: Being a god of thunfer, Takemikazuchi is capable of conjuring clouds and controlling them in various ways - from moving them across the sky to making them into platforms people and objects can stand on.

Warrior Shinki: Takemikazuchi has many shinki which appear to be trained in various forms of combat, such as archery, which many of them use against Ebisu after he escapes from the underworld.

Known Shinki

黄云 Kiun / 黄器 Ōki
疫 Eyami

In Japanese Lore

Takemikazuchi (usu. タケミカヅチ; historically 建御雷/武甕槌) is a god of thunder and swords and a significant figure in the events following the creation of the world by Izanagi and Izanami. In giving birth to the fire god Kagutsuchi, Izanami had died, leading the devastated Izanagi to kill his newborn son in a fit of rage. Takemikazuchi, along with several other gods, was born from the blood that dripped from the base of the sword Ame-no-Ohabari (sometimes identified as a god in it self that is considered Takemikazuchi's father) that was used to kill Kagutsuchi.

At a later point in the mythos, after the tale of Izanagi and Izanami was over, there came a time of conflict between the gods inhabiting the heavenly realm Takamagahara (led by Amaterasu) and the gods inhabiting the earthly realm Ashihara-no-Nakatsukuni (led by Ōkuninushi, ruler of the izumo province). Takemikazuchi was sent by the heavens to the earth in order to subjugate the earthly gods. Upon landing on the earth, Takemikazuchi demanded that Ōkuninushi surrender his lands to the heavens. Ōkuninushi replied that he would like to have his children decide how to reply to the demands. While his first son Kotoshironushi agreed to forfeit his privilages, Ōkuninushi's second son, Takeminakata, wished to test his strength against Takemikazuchi. Takeminakata approached Takemikazuchi and grabbed him by his hands, however the latter easily overpowered him, broke his hand in turn and chased after him. Begging for his life, Takeminakata then agreed to hold himself in exile in the place where the chase had ended, near Suwa in the Nagano Prefecture. The bout between Takemikazuchi and Takeminakata is considered the mythical origin of Sumo wrestling.

The main shrine dedicated to Takemikazuchi is the Kashima Shrine in the city of Kashima in the Ibaraki Prefecture.

@@ Line 38: / Line 38: @@
 '''Cloud Manipulation''': Being a god of thunfer, Takemikazuchi is capable of conjuring clouds and controlling them in various ways - from moving them across the sky to making them into platforms people and objects can stand on.
-'''Warrior Shinki''': Takemikazuchi has many shinki which appear to be trained in various forms of combat skills, like archery, which many of them use against [[Ebisu]] after he escapes from the underworld.
+'''Warrior Shinki''': Takemikazuchi has many shinki which appear to be trained in various forms of combat, such as archery, which many of them use against [[Ebisu]] after he escapes from the underworld.
 ===Known Shinki===
 *黄云 [[Kiun]] / 黄器 Ōki
 *疫 [[Nora|Eyami]]
+==In Japanese Lore==
+'''Takemikazuchi''' (usu. タケミカヅチ; historically 建御雷/武甕槌) is a god of thunder and swords and a significant figure in the events following the creation of the world by Izanagi and [[Izanami]]. In giving birth to the fire god '''Kagutsuchi''', Izanami had died, leading the devastated Izanagi to kill his newborn son in a fit of rage. Takemikazuchi, along with several other gods, was born from the blood that dripped from the base of the sword '''Ame-no-Ohabari''' (sometimes identified as a god in it self that is considered Takemikazuchi's father) that was used to kill Kagutsuchi.
+At a later point in the mythos, after the tale of Izanagi and Izanami was over, there came a time of conflict between the gods inhabiting the heavenly realm Takamagahara (led by '''Amaterasu''') and the gods inhabiting the earthly realm Ashihara-no-Nakatsukuni (led by [[Ōkuninushi]], ruler of the izumo province). Takemikazuchi was sent by the heavens to the earth in order to subjugate the earthly gods. Upon landing on the earth, Takemikazuchi demanded that Ōkuninushi surrender his lands to the heavens. Ōkuninushi replied that he would like to have his children decide how to reply to the demands. While his first son '''Kotoshironushi''' agreed to forfeit his privilages, Ōkuninushi's second son, '''Takeminakata''', wished to test his strength against Takemikazuchi. Takeminakata approached Takemikazuchi and grabbed him by his hands, however the latter easily overpowered him, broke his hand in turn and chased after him. Begging for his life, Takeminakata then agreed to hold himself in exile in the place where the chase had ended, near Suwa in the Nagano Prefecture. The bout between Takemikazuchi and Takeminakata is considered the mythical origin of Sumo wrestling.
+The main shrine dedicated to Takemikazuchi is the Kashima Shrine in the city of Kashima in the Ibaraki Prefecture.
 [[Category:Male]]
 [[Category:God]]