Hinokagutsuchi-no-Kami

Hinokagutsuchi-no-Kami is recorded in Kojiki (712 CE) and Nihon Shoki (720 CE) as the fire deity, child of Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto, whose birth caused his mother's death and who was then slain by his father with the ten-grasp sword. In the deity-making passage of Kojiki Upper Volume, the text records that when Izanami bore "the deity of fire, named Hi-no-Yagihayao-no-Kami, also called Hinokakabiko-no-Kami, also called Hi-no-Kagutsuchi-no-Kami," she was burned in her chasm and at length departed for Yomi. Izanagi in anger struck the child with the sword Ame-no-Ohabari. From the blood on the sword and from the body of Kagutsuchi sixteen deities arose, among them sword, rock and thunder deities including Iwasaku-no-Kami, Nesaku-no-Kami, Mikahayahi-no-Kami, Hihayahi-no-Kami and Takemikazuchi. Nihon Shoki Jindai chapter five variant gives a corresponding account. He is enshrined at Akiba-san Hongu Akiba Jinja in Hamamatsu, Atago Jinja in Kyoto and Furumine Jinja in Kanuma; from medieval times the Akiba and Atago cults spread through Japan as guardians against fire. The place name Akihabara derives from an Akiba shrine transfer.