User:Immanuelle/sandbox/Shizuri Faith

The Shizuri faith is an interesting and rather obscure Shinto Faith relative to many others.

I classify it as an Izumo Faith because it is loosely in the Izumo region, and because Shitateruhime is a daughter of Okuninushi and Takiribime, two Izumo gods.

However it does have some clear mixing in it.

The current central deity of the Faith is actually Takehazuchi. An Amatsukami who came down with Ninigi to conquer Japan.

I am surprised that parallels to the relationship between Ame no Hohi and Okuninushi have not been brought up in the scholarship I saw. It is parallel to how the myths of Izumo Taisha revolve around Okuninushi but the priests are of descend from Ame no Hohi.

I did cursory searches and found some evidence to suggest people conflate Takehazuchi with Ame no Wakahiko, or otherwise claim the deities were married, but this is uncertain.

Shitateruhime
Shitateruhime is a daughter of Takiribime, one of the three sisters worshipped at Munakata Taisha

The origins of Shitori Shrine are unknown. Although there is no documentary evidence, it is believed that it began as the family shrine for the Shitori clan (倭文氏) of Kofun period craftsmen who weavers, who regarded Takehazuchi as their ancestor. However, the shrine's legends are all centered around Shitateruhime, whom the shrine legend claims arrived in this location from Izumo by boat. She established her residence on the mountain behind this shrine, and after her death, she was buried in a kofun constructed in the shrine's precincts.

Marriage
In many versions of the myth Ame no Hohi did not send a word for three years after going down to earth, all the gods gathered up, and Ame no Wakahiko was one who was chosen to rule the earth. In many versions Ame no Wakahiko was given a bow.

In some versions, however, Ame no Wakahiko is the son of Ame no Hohi and Ame no Wakahiko was sent to earth to look for him.

She married Ame no Wakahiko, when he came from heaven to discuss the "Kuni-yuzuri".

Death
Eight years later, the gods had not yet heard a response so they sent a bird named Nakime down to earth to check in on him. Following the advice of a wise woman, Ame no Wakahiko used his bow to shoot the bird. The bird was killed but the arrow flew all the way to heaven.

Takamimusubi saw the arrow and threw it back at the earth where it hit Ame no Wakahiko while he was laying in bed, killing him. Other versions state that Amaterasu was the one who shot the arrow back at him.

This myth is the origin of a Japanese saying about the returning arrow. It is likely also be a mythicisation of attempts made by the Yamato Kingship to impose its authority over neighbouring states.

Funeral
After Ame no Wakahiko's death, his parents built a hut (喪屋 moya) for their son. Ajisukitakahikone went down to pay his respect. However, due to Ajisukitakahikone looking similar to Ame no Wakahiko he was mistaken to be Ame no Wakahiko brought back to life. Ajisukitakahikone was offended by this and destroyed the hut and kicked it. The hut landed in the land of Mino and became a mountain called Moyama.

When Ame no Wakahiko passed away, Shitateruhime's sorrowful voice was heard in the Plain of High Heaven. During his funeral, Amewakahiko's father, Amatsukunitama, and other family members confused Shitateruhime's step-brother, Ajisukitakahikone, for the deceased Amewakahiko. Ajisukitakahikone left in rage. In response, Shitateruhime sang a song of a type called hinaburi, or "rustic song" to honor her deceased husband.

Takehazuchi
Takehazuchi (天羽槌雄神) is the Japanese god of weaving Also known as Shizuri.

He is believed to be a fifth generation descendant of Takamimusubi most likely through Sukunabikona due to the other associations of him.

He decorated the streamers on the Masakaki tree used to lure out Amaterasu from the cave.

He is a warrior who vanquished the rebellious star god Amatsu-Mikaboshi during the Tenson kōrin.

Appended to the two passages of the subjugation of the earth in the Nihon Shoki and the Kojiki is the mention of a star deity named Amatsu-Mikaboshi who resisted till the end, and whom Takemikazuchi and Futsunushi were particularly eager to vanquish. The latter passage states that the being who subdued the star god, referred to as Iwai no nushi (斎の大人) is enshrined at Katori, hinting that it might be Futsunushi. However, the earlier passage says a god named Takehazuchi was the vanquisher of the star god.

After Ōkuninushi's assent and withdrawal, the two messengers proceeded to destroy everyone and everything who refused to submit to their authority. They then send the god of weaving, Takehazuchi (建葉槌), to subdue the star god Amatsu-Mikaboshi (香香背男), the last remaining rebel against Takamagahara (Nihon Shoki). After the resistance was gone the Tenson kōrin could begin.

It is believed it he may either have also been a war god based on the "take" in his name analogous to Takemikazuchi or that he wove the stars into fabric, taming them.

The Kogo Shūi identifies him with Amenohatsuchio the ancestor of the Shizuri clan who did weaving.

At Shitori Shrine Takehazuchi and Shitateruhime are worshipped as weaving gods.

Shrines
Takehazuchi is believed to be the ancestor of the Shitori clan (倭文氏) of Shitori Shrine (Tottori).

However, the legends of Shitori Shrine (Tottori) are all centered around Shitateruhime, whom the shrine legend claims arrived in this location from Izumo by boat. She established her residence on the mountain behind this shrine, and after her death, she was buried in a kofun constructed in the shrine's precincts.