Konohana no sakuya-bime (Japanese)
Konohana no sakuya-bime, or simply as Sakuya-hime, is a goddess that appears in Japanese mythology. Konohana no sakuyabime means a woman as beautiful as flowers blossoming on a tree. She was a daughter of Oyamatsumi, and Iwanaga-hime was her older sister. Oyamatsumi was the chieftain in the area they lived in.
In the mythology she met Ninigi, (the son of Amatsukami, The God of Heaven, and the grandson of the Sun Goddess) when he descended in the Province of Himuka and proposed to her. Her father was very happy about the news and offered both Sakuya-hime and her older sister, Iwanaga-hime to Ninigi to marry. However, Ninigi married only Sakuya-hime and sent her sister home because she was “ugly.”
Their father said, ‘I offered my two daughters together because I made a covenant that the son of Amatsukami will have a life as eternal as a rock if you have Iwanaga-hime as your wife, and if you have Konohana no sakuya-bime as your wife then you will prosper just like flowers blossoming on a tree. However, because you married only Sakuya-bime, your life will be ephemeral like flowers on a tree.’ The legend says that is why emperors, who are his descendants, do not live as long as the gods. The myth tells about the ephemerality of life and the origin of death.
Pregnancy and Aftermath
Sakuya-bime became pregnant overnight. Ninigi suspected that the child belonged to Kunitsukami (god of the land.) In order to disprove his suspicion she made a pledge and then went into the birthing room. She said that if her child was truly Ninigi’s, then the child would be born safely no matter what; then she set fire on the birthing room. She gave birth to three children, Hoderi, Hosuseri and Hoori, in the fire. (Emperor Jinmu was the grandson of Hoori.)
Because she gave birth in fire she became a fire goddess. She is enshrined at Mt. Fuji, which is a volcano. She was enshrined at Mt. Fuji in order to bring volcanic eruptions under control. However, other legends say she is a goddess of water. In addition, she is viewed as a goddess who protects wives, gives safe delivery of a baby, and is a goddess of child rearing.
Konohana Sakuya with flowers and Mount Fuji
Worship
There is a story of her father making amano tamukezake, which is present-day amazake (sweet, mild sake,) using the heavily fruited head of rice plant from Sanada when Hoori was born. Therefore, Oyamatsumi is called Sakatoke no Kami and Konohana no sakuya-bime is called Sakatokeko no Kami, and they are considered to be deities of sake brewing.
Oyamatsumi is a god that represented all the mountains. Sakuya-hime inherited Mt. Fuji from her father, the tallest and the most beautiful mountain in Japan. She is enshrined in this mountain and protects the eastern part of Japan.
In addition to being the enshrined deity of Mt. Fuji, she is also enshrined at Sengen-jinja Shrines all over Japan. In addition, she is enshrined as a goddess of safe delivery and child rearing at Koyasu-jinja Shrine (Shokansha (shrine where the gods of clothing, food and housing are worshipped) at Kotai-jingu Shrine in Hachioji City, Tokyo, for example.) She is also enshrined as Sakatokekonokami at Umenomiya-taisha Shrine (Ukyo Ward, Kyoto Prefecture).
Source: Japanese wiki
Question: What would you do
if a god came down to earth
and proposed to you?
Tao-Talk 
I love the artwork. Have you colored the letters yourself? What a story!
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Yes, it is quite a story, I agree. So many of the goddesses have suffered! Yes, I did, a fews back. The goddess ones are colored this year. Thanks, Janet. I did one year of coloring one picture a day to help me transition from working life to retired life. It helped.
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Nobody wants the ugly sister and it must be difficult for them being constantly compared to their more conventionally attractive sibling.
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Maybe it is a blessing in disguise. Pretty is too easily objectified and can be harmful to the object.
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Wow, setting the birthing room on fire is certainly extra. As for a god coming down to propose, I would wonder what his damage is. Talk it out, figure if we are both on the same page about what we would need from the marriage. Also, find out more about his family…so much more because, see previous comment about “extra” – siblings and parents in god-like households are extra and more.
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Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment, Someone.
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Erin…again.
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<3
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A very busy goddess (just like mortal women!). Interesting.
If a god proposed to me, I’d be flattered but would tell them I am already hitched!
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Yes, she was, and yes, we are! LOL. When the gods snooze they lose ;)
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😂
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I’d make sure there wasn’t a catch.
Tony (Danab Cycle)
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Mt Fuji is powerful juju. It’s amazing how complicated the lives of the gods and goddesses are.
I’d send him off to mess up someone else’s life. (K)
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Kerfe, yes it is complicated for them. haha on his proposal! Dad and he might not be happy, but she would be.
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Love how she is enshrined as the Goddess of Mt. Fuji. 🩵✨
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<3
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Fascinating how she’s connected to both fire and Mount Fuji; it adds such powerful imagery. Japanese mythology never fails to surprise.
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She is a fascinating goddess for sure. I agree on Japanese mythology.
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Very fascinating story! I love your colourings too, Lisa! It must be fun.
And to answer your question if a God proposed to me, I’d be very hesitant to reply…to be honest!
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Yes, all of the goddesses have fascinating stories that I’ve seen, hers more than most. I understand about hesitating to speak if a God proposed. Thank you on the colorings :)
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Hi Lisa. I’ve nominated you for The Sunshine Blogger thang!
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:)
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I would not want to marry a god! Maybe Japanese gods would be okay, but absolutely no good ever comes of being loved by a Greek god, so I don’t think it’s worth the risk.
https://nydamprintsblackandwhite.blogspot.com/2026/04/k-is-for-king.html
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I understand your rationale, Anne. It would be risky at best.
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It feels good to read all these stories of goodness and love. :-D
A gods proposal can always be thought about :-P
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PH, I’m glad you’re enjoying the posts. I would definitely give such a proposal some thought :)
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these are all really fascinating! I am learning so much from you 👍🌼🌼
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