Sukunahikona-no-Kami

Sukunahikona-no-Kami (少彦名神) is an earthly deity recorded in the Kojiki (712 CE) and Nihon Shoki (720 CE). The child of Kamimusubi-no-Kami, he is the small-stature deity who joined Okuninushi in the nation-building of the central reed-plain country. He is also venerated as the deity of medicine, sake brewing, and hot springs. According to the Kojiki upper scroll, at Cape Miho in Izumo he appeared before Okuninushi-no-Kami on a boat made from a split arrowroot pod, wearing a moth-skin garment. When no one knew his name, an inquiry to Kamimusubi-no-Kami confirmed "this is my child", and the two formed a brotherhood and undertook nation-building. He later crossed to the eternal realm (Tokoyo-no-Kuni). The Nihon Shoki Age of the Gods upper, eighth section variant, also makes his role as ancestor of medicine clear. Father is Kamimusubi-no-Kami. Principal shrine: Sukunahikona Shrine in Chuo, Osaka.