Kanayago
The Iron Worker’s Child
ORIGIN:
Japan
CLASSIFICATION:
Kami
Kanayago, a celestial kami, stepped off the moon tree intending to deliver a treatise, “A Secret Writing about Iron Mountain” but her foot got caught and she tripped. Falling to Earth, Kanayago died. She started a vigil over her own corpse. Kanayago’s vigil is eternal. This watchful soul atop a mountain of iron emerged as the presiding spirit of metalworkers. She taught people how to work iron. (Their first project was an iron kettle.) Kanayago protects metal-workers; guards their safety; prevents accidents and increases yield.
Kanayago’s earliest manifestation seems to have been as a female but she eventually began to appear in both male and female form. Kanayago is now envisioned as the male half of a pair of iron-working spirits. The polite way to address him is Kanayago-sama and his female counterpart as Kanayama-hime (i.e., Lord Kanayago and Princess Kanayama).
Iron-working is intimately tied to primordial women’s blood mysteries. Many cultures perceive iron ore to be Earth’s own menstrual blood. Kanayago has stringent taboos against menstruating women: they cannot come into her presence. Active devotees who are male must also avoid menstruating women; not only not having sex with them but also not even looking them in the face. Complete avoidance is preferred until the menstrual cycle has completely concluded.
MANIFESTATION:
Kanayago wears rags and his or her teeth are blackened.
Sacred animal:
Kanayago’s relationship with dogs is subject to controversy. Some say she travels with a dog; others that she hates them because it was a dog’s unexpected barking that caused her to trip.
Mount:
Snowy heron
Plant: Wisteria
Sacred day: Kanayago is honored at the Bellows Festival on the eighth day of the eleventh lunar month
SEE ALSO:
Gorgon; Inari; Kajishin; Kami; Ogun
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses – Written by : Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.