Name
- Konohanasakuya-hime (木花咲耶姫)
Identity
Konohanasakuya-hime is a major female deity associated with flowers, the fleeting beauty of life, and the cycles of nature. Her name literally evokes the act of “blooming” (saku, 咲く), and conveys the image of a brilliant yet fragile flowering. She is also closely connected to mountains, especially volcanic landscapes, giving her a dual nature: the delicacy of blossoms and the raw power of the earth.
Mythological role
She embodies life as it appears, flourishes, and fades, as well as the creative and destructive power of nature. In myth, Konohanasakuya-hime is strongly linked to fertility, the continuation of lineages, and the concept of proving purity and legitimacy. Through these themes, she stands at the heart of stories that speak both of birth and rightful succession.
Famous myth
Konohanasakuya-hime is best known as the wife of Ninigi no Mikoto. In a famous episode, while pregnant, she is accused of infidelity and her children’s legitimacy is questioned. To prove her faithfulness, she seals herself inside a hut and sets it on fire, swearing that if the children are not Ninigi’s, she will perish in the flames. She gives birth safely amid the fire, thereby confirming the divine legitimacy of her offspring.
This story strongly associates her with purification by fire, the power of birth, and a “volcanic” dimension, which helps explain her close connection to mountains and eruptions.
Worship
Konohanasakuya-hime is venerated at shrines associated with:
mountains, especially volcanic mountains;
the protection of women, pregnancy, and childbirth;
family safety and prosperity;
protection against natural disasters, depending on local traditions.
She is particularly prominent in traditions connected to Mount Fuji, where she is widely regarded as a protective deity of the mountain.
Symbolism
Konohanasakuya-hime symbolizes blooming (hana, 花) and impermanence: beauty that fades, reminding people to respect time and natural cycles. At the same time, she carries the symbolism of purifying fire and the power of the earth itself: life is born at the very heart of danger. She thus represents a nature that is both graceful and fearsome, and conveys a powerful idea: apparent fragility can conceal immense resilience.