Omononushi no Kami
大物主神
God of Mount Miwa, agriculture, brewing, pestilence, and healing; identified with Okuninushi's spirit
About
Omononushi is one of the most ancient and complex deities in the Japanese pantheon. According to the Kojiki, after Sukunahikona departed to the Eternal Land, a luminous deity appeared from across the sea and announced himself as Okuninushi's 'spirit of fortune' (sakimitama / kushimitama), requesting to be enshrined on Mount Miwa. He is thus understood as either an aspect of Okuninushi or a distinct deity closely associated with him.
The Nihon Shoki preserves additional narratives: Omononushi appeared as a serpent to a young woman named Yamato Totohimomoso-hime, and his wrath was identified as the cause of a devastating plague that was only quelled by properly enshrining him. These snake-deity characteristics suggest connections to very ancient agricultural and fertility worship.
Omiwa Shrine (Omiwa Jinja) at the foot of Mount Miwa is one of Japan's oldest shrines and uniquely has no main hall (honden)—the mountain itself serves as the sacred body (shintai) of the deity. He is also revered as the patron of sake brewing.
Mythology
Animal Messenger
Snake (White serpent) (蛇（白蛇）)
Omononushi's appearances as a serpent in multiple narratives make the snake his primary divine symbol. White snakes at Omiwa Shrine are considered manifestations of the deity.
Shrines Dedicated to This Deity
| Shrine | Prefecture | Network Role |
|---|---|---|
| Kotohira-gu (Konpira-san) 金刀比羅宮 | Kagawa | head |
Frequently Asked Questions
Information provided by Jinja DB Editorial Team
Who is Omononushi no Kami in Japanese mythology?
Omononushi no Kami (大物主神) is God of Mount Miwa, agriculture, brewing, pestilence, and healing; identified with Okuninushi's spirit. This deity appears in Kojiki & Nihon Shoki and is enshrined at 1 shrines across Japan.
What shrines are dedicated to Omononushi no Kami?
There are 1 shrines in our database dedicated to Omononushi no Kami, including Kotohira-gu (Konpira-san).
What myths involve Omononushi no Kami?
Omononushi no Kami appears in 1 myths including The Trials of Okuninushi (Including the White Hare of Inaba). These stories come from Kojiki & Nihon Shoki.