Deity
Kanayamabiko-no-Kami
Kanayamabiko-no-Kami is the male metal deity of the deity-birth phase, linking traditions of mining, smithing, and the handling of fire.
In 30 seconds
Male metal deity from the Kojiki (712 CE) deity-birth phase; chief shrine Nangu Taisha in Gifu.
Description
Kanayamabiko-no-Kami (金山毘古神) is the male metal deity recorded in the Kojiki (712 CE) deity-birth phase. With Kanayamahime-no-Kami, the pair governs mining, smithing, and metal refining. The deities belong to the lineage formed in the fire-death section of Izanami. According to the Kojiki upper scroll on deity-birth (fire-death scene), "the deities born in the vomit were Kanayamabiko-no-Kami and next Kanayamahime-no-Kami". When Izanami was burned by birthing the fire deity Kagutsuchi and suffered, Kanayamabiko was the first deity born from her vomit. The Nihon Shoki (720 CE) writes the name as Kanayamahiko-no-Mikoto. The principal shrine is Nangu Taisha in Tarui, Gifu (Mino Province ichinomiya), listed as a Myojin Taisha in the Engishiki (927 CE). It served as the head shrine for miners and smiths nationwide.
Genealogy
Parents
Siblings
Sources
金山毘古神 かなやまびこのかみ
Primary source國學院大學 古典文化学事業「神名データベース」金山毘古神。
https://kojiki.kokugakuin.ac.jp/shinmei/kanayamabikonokami/古事記 上巻 神生み
Primary source太安万侶（撰）
金山毘古神の登場場面、系譜、神名の確認に用いる一次文献。
神道・神名辞典 金山毘古神項
Secondary source金山毘古神の名称、祭祀上の性格、関連社寺を確認するための二次資料。
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