Name
- Kotoshironushi no Kami (事代主神)
- Kotoshironushi no Kami
Identity
Kotoshironushi no Kami (事代主神, Kotoshironushi no kami) is a kami strongly associated with
good fortune, prosperity, and the success of human activities, with a distinct
“maritime” coloring (fishing, the sea, and its resources).
In many traditions, he is presented as a son of Ōkuninushi no Kami (大国主神),
placing him in the mythological world of Izumo (出雲).
Depending on the context, he is also frequently linked to Ebisu (恵比寿),
the popular deity of luck and commerce.
Mythological role
His most distinctive role is that of a kami who “knows how to conclude”:
he supports agreements, sound decisions, and smooth transitions without chaos.
He is associated with the idea of “delivering the message” or “giving an answer”—
something also suggested by his name, often interpreted as being connected to notions of
“words/affairs” and “decision.”
In modern practice, this translates into a deity invoked for prosperity, luck,
and for anything that needs to “run smoothly” in one’s work or activities.
Famous myth
Kotoshironushi is famous for his role in the episode of kuni-yuzuri
(国譲り, the “transfer/cession of the land”).
When heavenly envoys come to request the handover of the terrestrial realm,
Ōkuninushi consults his sons.
Kotoshironushi—often described as being in the middle of fishing—responds cooperatively
and accepts the idea of this transition.
His attitude contrasts with that of other deities who resist, and he becomes the image
of a handover achieved through agreement rather than rupture.
Worship
He is worshipped for matters related to luck and prosperity, especially:
commercial success and professional activity;
fortune, opportunities, and the “smooth progress” of a project;
protection for sea-related professions (fishing, ports), depending on the region;
sometimes also social peace, agreement, and favorable decisions.
He appears in shrines connected to Izumo traditions, and also in contexts where he is associated with Ebisu—therefore in shrines and festivals where people pray for business prosperity.
Symbolism
Kotoshironushi carries a strong symbolism of “luck and abundance,” often colored by the sea and fishing. In the popular imagery linked to Ebisu (often associated with him), symbols commonly include:
fish—especially tai (鯛)—as a sign of abundance and good omen;
fishing and the sea as sources of prosperity;
a warm, approachable kind of luck, rooted in the concrete (work, commerce, and the reward of effort).