The are snake deities in Japanese folklore appearing in the Hitachi no Kuni Fudoki.
Properties of the gods They lived in Namegata county, in fields near the government office. As a snake, it was an which are fierce kami who represent the ferocious side of nature, such as raging rivers and fierce storms - as well as natural disasters. While such things do bring suffering to people, a properly enshrined and worshipped Araburu Kami would also protect the people from these calamities. Yato no kami were rumored to bring familial extermination on anyone who saw them.
Legends It's told that Yato no Kami were killed and enshrined by a man named Yahazu no uji no Matachi during the time when Emperor Keitai was in reign. The Yato no kami vanished later when a man named Mibunomuroji Maro drove them away from disturbing him and his workers who were building a moat there.
References
External links Evolution of the Concept of Kami 夜刀の神(ヤトノカミ・ヤツノカミ) Araburu kami 荒ぶる神 Kokugakuin University