Mythology, Religion & Legend — Power Ranking TOP 100
I wrote a book ranking the most powerful gods, monsters, and heroes from world mythology, religion, and legend! The ranking is heavily influenced by my own perspective, but every placement is grounded in the actual lore and episodes from each mythology, so I think it makes for a satisfying read.
In this post, I’d like to introduce some of the characters featured in the ranking. There are many more beyond the ones mentioned here, so if you’re interested in mythology, religion, or legend, I think you’ll enjoy it!
Rank 73: Takemikazuchi (Japanese Mythology)
Overview
Takemikazuchi is one of the most powerful war gods in Japanese mythology and plays a central role in the pivotal mythological event known as the “Transfer of the Land” (Kunitsukami).
In this event, Amaterasu — ruler of the divine realm Takamagahara — sent Takemikazuchi as her envoy to negotiate with Okuninushi, the ruler of the earthly realm, demanding that he cede his land.
During the negotiation, Takemikazuchi faced a god named Takeminakata in a contest of strength. When Takeminakata grabbed his arm, Takemikazuchi transformed his arm first into an icicle and then into a sword blade, startling his opponent, before crushing his other hand and throwing him aside — defeating him with ease. (This is said to be the origin of sumo wrestling.)
Takeminakata was himself considered a formidable deity, yet Takemikazuchi dispatched him in an instant, cementing his status as one of the supreme war gods of Japanese mythology.
That said, Japanese mythology itself has almost no battle scenes, and in terms of mythological scale it covers only the Japanese archipelago — so it is likely that his power falls short of that of the top war gods from other mythologies.
It is also worth noting that although Takemikazuchi is called a thunder god, there are no descriptions in the myths of him actually controlling lightning.
The great sword Takemikazuchi carried was called “Futsu no Mitama,” a blade said to contain great spiritual power. This sword was later passed down to Jimmu, the legendary first emperor of Japan, and there is a tale that its spiritual power dispelled the poison afflicting his army.
Why This Ranking
Takemikazuchi possesses overwhelming physical strength that surpasses other gods, the divine authority of a sword deity who can transform his body into ice or blades, and a weapon (Futsu no Mitama) filled with tremendous spiritual power. He would certainly be a formidable opponent in battle, but since the myths contain almost no combat depictions beyond his fight with Takeminakata, he is very difficult to evaluate.
Given that he is the greatest war god class in Japanese mythology, I concluded it would be unlikely for him to lose to a hero-level opponent, and placed him at this position accordingly.
