Uke Mochi

Uke Mochi (保食神 Ukemochi-no-kami; English: "Goddess Who Possesses Food") is a goddess of food in the Shinto religion of Japan.[1] When Uke Mochi was visited by Tsukuyomi she prepared a feast by facing the ocean and spitting out a fish, then she faced the forest and bountiful game spewed out of her mouth, finally turning to a rice paddy she coughed up a bowl of rice. Tsukuyomi was so disgusted he killed her.[2] Even her dead body produced food: millet, rice, and beans sprang forth. Her eyebrows even became silkworms.

The goddess is sometimes also called Ōgetsuhime-no-kami (大宜都比売神).

Uke Mochi is also the Wife of Inari in some legends[3] and in others is herself Inari.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Loar, Julie (2010). Goddesses for Every Day: Exploring the Wisdom and Power of the Divine Feminine around the World. New World Library. p. 269. ISBN 978-1-57731-950-4.
  2. ↑ Mittal, Nemi (1993). World-Famous Mythologies. Pustak Mahal. pp. 96–97. ISBN 81-223-0548-2.
  3. ↑ Hathaway, Nancy (2003). The Friendly Guide to Mythology: A Mortal's Companion to the Fantastical Realm of Gods, Goddesses, Monsters, and Heroes. Penguin Group. p. 129. ISBN 978-0-140-24087-0.