The god who built the land
Ōkuninushi 大己貴命 / 大国主命
Also known as: Ōnamuchi, Ōkuninushi-no-Ōkami, Daikoku
Element: Earth (土)
The myth
Ōkuninushi (also called Ōnamuchi) is famous for kindness: in the tale of the White Hare of Inaba he showed a skinned, suffering hare how to heal, while his older brothers had only made it worse.
With the tiny god Sukunabikona he went on to shape and develop the land. When the gods of heaven later asked for the land to be handed over to Amaterasu's line, he agreed, and in return a great shrine was built for him: Izumo Taisha.
Over time he was identified with Daikoku, one of the Seven Lucky Gods.
What people pray to Ōkuninushi for
- Wealth and prosperity
- Love and matchmaking
- Work and career
- Good relationships
Why: As the god who built the land and its wealth, and later merged with Daikoku, he is prayed to for prosperity, and Izumo Taisha has made him Japan's best-known god of matchmaking.
Where to meet Ōkuninushi
The element shown is the one used by Kamimap's fun guardian-kami quiz, based on traditional five-element associations. It is not a religious teaching.