boat and, placing the leech-child in it, abandoned it to the (I. 14.) current. Their next child was Kagu tsuchi."[1]
Now Izanami no Mikoto was burnt by Kagu tsuchi, so that she died.[2] When she was lying down to die, she gave birth to the Earth-Goddess, Hani-yama-hime,[3] and the Water-Goddess, Midzu-ha-no-me. Upon this Kagu tsuchi took to wife Hani-yama-hime, and they had a child named Waka-musubi.[4] On the crown of this Deity's head were produced the silkworm and the mulberry tree, and in her navel the five kinds of grain.[5]
In one writing it is said:—"When Izanami no Mikoto gave birth to Ho-no-musubi,[6] she was burnt by the child, and died.[7] When she was about to die, she brought forth the Water-Goddess, Midzu-ha-no-me, and the Earth-Goddess, Hani-yama-hime. She also brought forth the gourd[8] of Heaven."
In one writing it is said:—"When about to give birth to the Fire-God, Kagu tsuchi, Izanami no Mikoto became feverish and ill. In consequence she vomited, and the vomit became changed into a God, who was called Kana-yama-hiko.[9] Next her urine became changed into a Goddess, who was called Midzu-ha-no-me. Next her excrement was changed into a Goddess, who was called Hani-yama-hime.
In one writing it is said:—"When Izanami no Mikoto gave birth to the Fire-God, she was burnt, and died. She was, therefore, buried at the village of Arima in Kumano, in the province of Kii. In the time of flowers, the inhabitants worship the spirit of this Goddess by offerings of
- ↑ Kagu tsuchi was the God of Fire. Tsu is here probably the genitive particle, and chi the same honorific word as appears in several other names of Gods. He was worshipped at Nagusa in Kii.
- ↑ Lit. ended.
- ↑ Clay-mountain-lady.
- ↑ Young-growth.
- ↑ Hemp, millet, rice, corn, pulse. This is a Chinese form of speech, and with the mention of the silkworm betrays a recent origin of this tradition.
- ↑ Fire-growth.
- ↑ Lit. retired.
- ↑ The gourd was to hold water to subdue the Fire-God with when he became violent.
- ↑ Metal-mountain prince. This legend indicates an acquaintance with mining.
