Name Meaning
Yato-no-kami (夜刀神) can be translated as "night-blade god" or "blade-snake deity," reflecting their deadly nature and form.
- Ya (夜) = night
- To (刀) = blade or sword
- Kami (神) = god or spirit
Origin
- Mentioned in the historical Hitachi no Kuni Fudoki (Chronicles of Hitachi Province).
- Associated with fields in Hitachi where they were believed to dwell and curse humans.
- Feared as vengeful deities bringing death to those who encountered them.
Appearance
- Snake-like deities with a divine yet terrifying aura.
- Sometimes visualized as large serpents with glowing eyes and divine markings.
- Considered both yokai and kami in context.
Behavior & Myths
- It was said that anyone who saw the Yato-no-kami would die or be cursed.
- A man named Yahazu no Uji no Matachi was credited with exterminating them to make the land inhabitable.
- They serve as an example of land-cleansing myths in early Japanese texts.
Symbolism
- Represents the untamed, deadly forces of nature.
- Symbolizes divine punishment and cursed lands.
- Often invoked in stories as an obstacle to settlement and agriculture.
