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edge of Isanagi no mikoto’s sword when he cut down Kagutsuchi, (the god of fire). According to the legend when Takami musubi no kami assembled all the gods to choose some one to send to subjugate Ashiwara no nakatsu-kuni (Japan), all said “Futsunushi nokami,” who was ordered to go; but Take-mika-dsuchi advanced and said “Futsunushi is not the only brave man, am I not one also?” In consequence of his noble language and air he was joined with Futsunushi in the expedition. The two gods descended in the province of Idzumo, whereupon Ohonamuchi no Kami, and Kotoshironushi no Kami fled and hid themselves. Upon this the two gods slew all the rebellions demon spirits, and the sublime grandchild afterwards descended from heaven upon Takachiho no Miné in the province of Hiuga. The temple was founded in the age of the gods; when Jimmu Tennô set out to subjugate the East Take-mika-dzuchi and Futsunushi appeared at the head of his army and slew all evil doers. It was frequently restored by different historic personages, and Yoritomo in particular added to it. About a mile from the shrine is a plain called Takama-no-hara, where the god is said to have frequent battles with foreign demons; when he is victorious the deer emulate each other in pursuing the foe into the sea; when he is beaten, they hang down their ears, take to flight, and seek refuge in the dwellings of the people. This moor is said to have been the site of a battle and stone arrow-heads are found here. In the middle of the moor is a mound called Onidzuka; the god is said to have killed a devil and heaped up the mound over his burial place. There are plenty of deer in the Island of Kashima. Being sacred to the god they are unmolested. About half a mile from the shrine is a pillar which is supposed to be of fabulous length; the end of it protrudes about a foot out of the ground and the other end descends into the centre of the earth; it is called Kanameishi (Kaname meaning the rivet of a fan) and it was placed there by the god who buried there a gigantic fish and placed the stone on it to prevent its moving and dis-
