Iwanaga-hime

Iwanaga-hime is a kami in Japanese mythology. She is also the daughter of Ōyamatsumi,[1][2] and sister to Konohanasakuya-hime.[3] She is said to be enshrined at Kifune Shrine.[4]

Mythology

Ōyamatsumi offered both of his daughters, Konohanasakuya-hime and Iwanaga-hime, in marriage to Ninigi. However Ninigi rejected Iwanaga-hime due to her appearance and returned her to her father.

According to the Kojiki, Ōyamatsumi told Ninigi that he offered both of his daughters so that the emperors would live forever, like the rocks. But, since Iwanaga-hime was rejected, the emperors will live short lives as punishment.

According to one version of the Nihongi, being rejected by Ninigi angered Iwanaga-hime and so she cursed him, the emperors, and all other beings to live ephemeral lives, like tree blossoms. This story is used as an explanation for the shortness of human life.

In a different version of the Nihongi, Ninigi found both sisters weaving on a loom in a palace on the ocean waves.[2]

References
  1. "Encyclopedia of Shinto - Home : Kami in Classic Texts : Iwanagahime". eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp. Retrieved 2021-08-21.
  2. "Encyclopedia of Shinto詳細". 國學院大學デジタルミュージアム (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-09-08.
  3. Coulter, Charles Russell; Turner, Patricia (2013-07-04). Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities. Routledge. p. 255. ISBN 978-1-135-96390-3.
  4. Cali, Joseph; Dougill, John (2012-11-30). Shinto Shrines: A Guide to the Sacred Sites of Japan's Ancient Religion. University of Hawaii Press. p. 123. ISBN 978-0-8248-3775-4.


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