Kagutsuchi

Kagutsuchi (カグツチ; Old Japanese: ''Kagututi''), also known as Hi-no-Kagutsuchi or Homusubi among other names, is the kami of fire in classical Japanese mythology.

Mythology

Kagutsuchi's birth burned his mother Izanami, causing her death. His father Izanagi, in his grief, beheaded Kagutsuchi with his sword, Ame no Ohabari (天之尾羽張), and cut his body into eight pieces, which became eight volcanoes. Kagutsuchi's corpse created numerous deities, which typically includes Watatsumi, Kuraokami, Takemikazuchi, Futsunushi, Amatsu-Mikaboshi, and Ōyamatsumi.

Kagutsuchi's birth, in Japanese mythology, comes at the end of the creation of the world and marks the beginning of death. In the ''Engishiki'', a source which contains the myth, Izanami, in her death throes, bears the water goddess Mizuhanome, 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.

Name

The name ''Kagutsuchi'' was originally a compound phrase, consisting of ''kagu'', an Old Japanese root verb meaning "to shine"; ''tsu'', the Old Japanese possessive particle; and ''chi'', an Old Japanese root meaning "force, power". (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Shogakukan, 1988

Popular culture

* In the manga and anime '' Kimetsu no Yaiba'', there is a dance called Hinokami Kagura (lit. Dance of the Fire God), referencing Kagu-tsuchi, that is later transformed into a Breathing Style by the protagonist, Tanjiro Kamado.
* In the manga and anime ''Fairy Tail'', a character named Zancrow uses the Flame God Slayer Magic and has an attack named after Kagutsuchi.
* In the manga ''Noragami'', Kagutsuchi appears during the subjugation of Bishamon and is shown to be capable of blowing fire.
* In the anime ''Mai-HiME'', Mai's Child is based upon Kagutsuchi.
* In the manga and anime '' Naruto: Shippuden'', one of the main characters, Sasuke Uchiha, is shown to have the ability to manipulate the black flames of Amaterasu into various weapons. This is referred to as Blaze Release: Kagutsuchi, which refers to the fire god.
* In the video game series ''BlazBlue'', the main setting of the first two games is the 13th Hierarchical City of Kagutsuchi.
** In the same video game series, one of the playable characters, Nine the Phantom, can summon Hi no Kagutsuchi, an enormous fire elemental.
* In the video game series '' Brave Frontier'', Kagatsuchi is a fire-based battle unit. He takes the form of a centaur, and is described as "a disastrous beast".
* In the manga ''Rurouni Kenshin'', the main antagonist of the Kyoto Arc, Shishio Makoto, uses a technique called "The Final Secret Sword: Kagutsuchi" as a last resort "trump card", bringing down a cyclone of flames that his sword can produce at his enemy.
* In the ''Shin Megami Tensei'' and ''Persona'' franchises, Kagutsuchi is a recurring figure.
* In the video game '' Call of Duty: Black Ops II'', a fire-elemental staff known as "Kagutsuchi's Blood" can be obtained on the Zombies map "Origins".
* In the mobile phone game '' Puzzle and Dragons'', Hino Kagutsuchi is a collectible fire monster.
* In the card game ''Yu-Gi-Oh!'', Kagutsuchi is one of the 4 Xyz Monsters of Bujin alongside Susanoo, Amaterasu, and Tsukuyomi,
* In the mobile game '' Monster Strike'', Kagutsuchi is a fire collectible, along with Susano'o, Amaterasu, Inari, Izanami, Izanagi and more.
* In the mobile game ''Dragalia Lost'', Kagutsuchi appears as a red Flame-type dragon with golden armor fused to his body, given the title of "Incandescent General".
*In the manga and anime ''Gintama'', the main weapon aboard the Altana Liberation Army's flag ship Amenotorifune, intended to destroy the Earth, is called "Hinokagutsuchi".
* In the video game ''Ghost of Tsushima'', there is a Charm of Kagu-Tsuchi.
* In the light novel ''High School DxD: Slash/Dog'' series, Kagu-tsuchi is the Shinto God of Fire and also the patron deity of the Himejima Clan whom in turned blessed them with the power of spiritual flames. A descendant of the Himejima, Tobio Ikuse is the wielder of the Ame no Ohabari, the divine sword which killed Kagu-tsuchi. The sword is infused with Kagu-tsuchi's divine flames, which grant it immense power to kill even a Demon Lord Gressil.
* In the video game series '' The Alchemist Code'', the royal family of Wadatsumi, Rising Ashes, which consists of Mitsuha, Kagura, Zeke Crowley and Logi Crowley, uses a fire ability called Kagutsuchi, which takes the form of a phoenix when used. Mitsuha, Kagura and Logi use an advanced form of the fire technique, called "Kagutsuchi Kiraboshi".
* In the 2022 video game ''God of War Ragnarök'', it is implied that Týr reflects upon his knowledge of Kagu-Tsuchi as an inspiration for his combat tactics during his final encounter against Kratos.

Family tree

See also

* Kōjin
* List of fire gods
* Musuhi, part of the etymology of Homusubi
* Takemikazuchi

Notes

References

*{{cite book , last1=Ashkenazi , first1=Michael , title=Handbook of Japanese Mythology , date=5 November 2003 , publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing USA , isbn=978-1-57607-468-8 , page=186 , url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Tb3OEAAAQBAJ&q=%22the%20start%20of%20death%22 , language=en
*Bock, Felicia G., trans
''Engi-shiki: Procedures of the Engi Era''
ASU Center for Asian Studies (Occasional Paper #17)

External links

Kagutsuchi
Encyclopedia of Shinto
*Kagutsuchi on th
Japanese History Database

Fire gods
Japanese gods
Shinto kami
Smithing gods
Killed deities
Kunitsukami
Akiha faith