Kagu-tsuchi

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Kagu-tsuchi,(カグツチ) also called Hinokagutsuchi or Ho-Masubi or just Kagutsuchi, is the Japanese kami (god) of fire.

1 Mythology
2 See also
3 Media
4 Notes
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Mythology

Kagu-tsuchi's birth burned his mother Izanami, causing her death. His father Izanagi, in his grief, beheaded Kagu-tsuchi and cut his body into eight pieces, which became eight volcanoes. Eight sword god emerged from the blood that dripped off his father's sword.

Kagu-tsuchi's birth, in Japanese mythology, comes at the end of the creation of the world and marks the beginning of death.^[1] In the Engishiki, a source which contains the myth, Izanami, in her death throes, bears the water god Mizuhame, instructing her to pacify Kagu-tsuchi if he should become violent. This story also contains references to traditional fire-fighting tools: gourds for carrying water and wet clay and water reeds for smothering fires.^[1]

[edit] See also

During World War Two, an American B-29 bomber group, "The 40th Bombardment Group", was nicknamed the "Kagu-Tsuchi Group". They participated in the fire-bombings of Tokyo.

Kojin, kami of fire, the hearth, and the kitchen

[edit] Media

Kagutsuchi appears in the Anime My-HiME as a "Child," which becomes the main character's "Child" (which is a summoned creature that HiMEs use to fight their enemies, the Orphans)
Kagu-tsuchi is central to the plot of Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne. The Kagutsuchi sustains an embryonic world till its power can be drained to fuel a new creation; Izanami and Izanagi also appear.
Kagu-tsuchi is featured as a trading card (named Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi and labeled a Spirit Monster Card) in the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game. It seems to have a rivalry with the Yamata Dragon, as referenced in the Trap card Last Turn.
Kagutsuchi appears as a Titan in the Scion role-playing game.

[edit] Notes

^ ^a ^b Ashkenazy, Michael. Handbook of Japanese Mythology. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-Clio, 2003. 186

[edit] References

Ashkenazy, Michael. Handbook of Japanese Mythology. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-Clio, 2003.
Bock, Felicia G., trans. Engi-shiki: Procedures of the Engi Era. ASU Center for Asian Studies (Occasional Paper #17).

[edit] External links

Pantheon.org entry for Kagu-tsuchi

	Japanese mythology and folklore
	Mythic texts and folktales: Kojiki \| Nihon Shoki \| Otogizōshi \| Yotsuya Kaidan Urashima Tarō \| Kintarō \| Momotarō \| Tamamo-no-Mae Divinities: Izanami \| Izanagi \| Amaterasu Susanoo \| Ame-no-Uzume \| Inari List of divinities \| Kami \| Seven Lucky Gods Legendary creatures: Oni \| Kappa \| Tengu \| Tanuki \| Fox \| Yōkai \| Dragon Mythical and sacred locations: Mt. Hiei \| Mt. Fuji \| Izumo \| Ryūgū-jō \| Takamagahara \| Yomi
	Religions \| Sacred objects \| Creatures and spirits