Takehazuchi

is a Japanese kami of weaving.

 Names and identity 
Takehazuchi is also called . Legends do not agree on their gender.  
 Some versions say Takehazuchi and Shitateruhime-no-mikoto are the same deity.  
 Other versions say Shitateru-hime is the wife of Takehazuchi.

Many sources say they are a fifth-generation descendant of Takamimusubi. Some say it goes through the god Sukunabikona.

Some analysis argues that Takehazuchi is a name used to refer to either Ame no Wakahiko or his wife shitateruhime-no-mikoto and this explains the ambiguity in gender.

 Myths 
In the tale of the rock cave of heaven, Takehazuchi hung bright streamers on the sacred Masakaki tree to help lure Amaterasu out.

During the Tenson kōrin (descent of the heavenly grandson) a star god, Amatsu-Mikaboshi, refused to submit. The Nihon Shoki has two passages about his defeat:  
 One says Takehazuchi beat the star god. 『日本書紀』上 p.64, 58  
 The other says Takemikazuchi or Futsunushi beat the star god.

All versions agree that Amatsu-Mikaboshi’s fall cleared the way for the heavenly descent.

Because the name begins with take (“brave”), some writers see Takehazuchi as a war deity. Others say the goddess “wove” the unruly stars into order, calming them.

 Connection with weaving and the Shitori clan 
The , who were ancient weavers, believed Takehazuchi was their ancestor.  
Their home shrine is Shitori Shrine, where Takehazuchi and Shitateru-hime are both worshipped as weaving deities.

Shrine legend says Shitateru-hime sailed from izumo, lived on the mountain behind the shrine, and after death was buried in a kofun within the shrine grounds.

 Shrines 
Takehazuchi is mainly honoured at: Shitori Shrine, , and .

 In popular culture 
In the movie Your Name a goddess who drives the plot is named 

 Related pages 
 Shitateruhime-no-mikoto

 References 

 Bibliography 





Category:Gods and goddesses of thunder
Category:Amatsukami