Omoikane no Kami

思金神

God of wisdom, intelligence, and strategic planning

Omoikane Omoi-kane Thought-Combining Deity
思兼神 常世思金神 八意思兼神
Kojiki & Nihon Shoki

About

Omoikane is the deity of wisdom whose name means 'combining thoughts' or 'the one who thinks of many things.' In the Ama-no-Iwato crisis, when the world was plunged into darkness, it was Omoikane who devised the plan to lure Amaterasu from the Rock Cave—gathering roosters, crafting the mirror, and orchestrating Amenouzume's performance.

He also served as an advisor during the Kuniyuzuri and Tenson Korin episodes, selecting which deities should be dispatched as emissaries. His role as the strategic mind behind divine councils makes him the archetype of the wise counselor in Japanese mythology.

Omoikane is enshrined at Chichibu Shrine in Saitama Prefecture and Achi Shrine in Nagano, and is invoked for academic success and clear thinking, functioning as a complement to the more widely known Tenjin in the realm of scholarly deities.

Mythology

Family Relationships

Frequently Asked Questions

Information provided by Jinja DB Editorial Team

Who is Omoikane no Kami in Japanese mythology?

Omoikane no Kami (思金神) is God of wisdom, intelligence, and strategic planning. This deity appears in Kojiki & Nihon Shoki and is enshrined at numerous shrines across Japan.

What shrines are dedicated to Omoikane no Kami?

Omoikane no Kami is enshrined at various shrines across Japan. Check major shrine databases for a complete list.

What myths involve Omoikane no Kami?

Omoikane no Kami appears in 3 myths including The Cave of the Sun Goddess (Ama-no-Iwato), The Cession of the Land (Kuniyuzuri), The Descent of the Heavenly Grandson (Tenson Korin). These stories come from Kojiki & Nihon Shoki.