User:Immanuelle/Mikumari

Mikumari-no-Kami
Japanese水分神
TemplesKono Shrine [en; fr; ja; simple]

Uda Mikumari Shrine [en] Yoshino Mikumari Shrine [en] Katsuragi Mikumari Shrine [ja] Tsuge Mikumari Shrine [ja]

Take Mikumari Shrine [ja]
Personal information
Parents

Mikumari-no-kami (水分神) is a Japanese kami where she is worshipped at Uda Mikumari Shrine [en] ‎and Yoshino Mikumari Shrine [en][1]. Due to a pun she is associated with pregnancy and childbirth.[2][3]

The most famous mikumari shrine is that of Yoshino[4]. Such shrines are frequently found in mountains and linked to Buddhism through Shinbutsu-shūgō [en; fr].[4] The etymology means water distribution.[4] As tutelary deity of water management, Mikumari is specially honored, frequently linked to the origins of agricultural irrigation systems. She is seen as a guardian watching over fertility and facilitating childbirth, as opposed to Suijin [en; fr; ja] who is more about water in general, including water safety and sewage management.[5]

In Japanese mythology, it is said that Ame-no-Mikumari-no-Kami (God of Heavenly Water Distribution) and Kuni-no-Mikumari-no-Kami (God of Earthly Water Distribution) were the children of Hayaakitsuhiko and Hayaakitsuhime [ja; en:draft; simple; fr] .[1]

Suijin, in Japanese Shintoism, refers to the numerous celestial and terrestrial manifestations of the benevolent water deity, encompassing a wide range of mythological creatures related to water. Mikumari, as the "kami of water distribution", is revered in this specific context, often associated with the sources of agricultural waterways and considered protective in the areas of fertility and easy childbirth. While Suijin is honored at a multitude of shrines across Japan for its protection over fishermen and its patronage of fertility, Mikumari is specifically invoked for the distribution and management of water, a vital aspect for agriculture.[5]

See Also

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Referemces

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  1. 1.0 1.1 "Mikumarinokami | 國學院大學デジタルミュージアム". web.archive.org. 2023-06-02. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  2. "Yoshino Mikumari Shrine - Nara". JapanTravel. 2015-09-03. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  3. "Mikumari Shrine | Things to Do in Yoshino | All Japan Tours". alljapantours.com. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Grapard, Allan G. (1982). "Flying Mountains and Walkers of Emptiness: Toward a Definition of Sacred Space in Japanese Religions". History of Religions. 21 (3): 195–221. ISSN 0018-2710.
  5. 5.0 5.1 "Suijin, Water Divinity of Japan, Shinto Origin, Patron of Fishermen, Fertility, Motherhood". www.onmarkproductions.com. Retrieved 2024-04-02.