Futodama

Futodama (Japanese: 布刀玉命) or Futotama is a god in Japanese mythology, claimed to be the ancestor of Inbe clan, whose characteristics are believed to reflect the functions of the clan as court ritualists.^[1]

Futodama
God of Rituals, Oracle and Divination
Genealogy
Parents	Takamimusubi
Siblings	Omoikane, Takuhadachiji-hime
Children	Kamotaketsunumi no Mikoto
Equivalents
Greek	Phoebe

Name and etymology

The god is known as Ame-no-Futodama-no-Mikoto (天太玉命) or Futodama (布刀玉, 太玉) for short. His name is speculated to mean great gift or offering.^[2][3]

Myths

After Susanoo accidentally killed one of Amaterasu's attendants in her weaving hall, she got upset and locked herself in Ama-no-Iwato, causing the world to plunge into darkness. After almost a year of chaos, Omoikane and the other gods came up with a plan to get her out.^[4] Futodama and Ame-no-Koyane were tasked with performing a divination. After Amaterasu left the cave, Futodama used a shimenawa to prevent her from going back to the cave again. This story is said to be the mythical origin of shimenawa.^[5]

In the Kogo Shūi, Futodama is placed as the leader of the performed rituals.^[1]

Family

Further information: Family Tree of Japanese deities

Takamimusubi

Amaterasu

Futodama

Takuhadachiji-hime

Oshihomimi

Inbe clan

Ninigi-no-Mikoto

In the Kogo Shūi, Futodama is recorded as the son of Takamimusubi, and brother of Takuhadachiji-hime and Ame-no-Oshihi-no-Mikoto.^[6][7]

Worship

Futodama is believed to be enshrined at Awa shrine, where there is a festival to the kami every year on August 10.^[8] He is also enshrined at Amatsu Shrine alongside Ninigi and Ame-no-Koyane.^[9] The Engi Shiki lists several shrines to Futodama in Izumi Province.^[10]

Popular culture

Futodama appears as a demon in the Japanese role playing game Shin Megami Tensei IV.^[11]