The Sanguin Chalis Inn

KITCHEN DEITIES

Throughout the world many cultures have believed in and worshipped various kitchen gods and goddesses. These deities are generally regarded as benevolent, and their presence is said to offer protection against kitchen accidents, fires, and food poisoning; to keep negativity, ghosts, and evil influences out of the kitchen; and to bless all foods that are prepared.

In Japan, the god and goddess of kitchens are Oki-Tsu-Hiko-No-Kami and his consort Oki-Tsu-Hime-No-Kami. They are the children of the harvest god, and their main duty is to look after the cauldron in which water is boiled. Another Japanese deity associated with the kitchen is Hettsui-No-Kami. She is the goddess of the kitchen range. Each year on the eighth day of November she is honored in Japan with a Shinto festival called the Fuigo Matsuri.

The Chinese god of the stove was a deity who was greatly respected, for he possessed the power to bestow a family with good health, wealth, and prosperity. To keep him from being offended, all family members would take great care not to sing, swear, cry, or kiss in front of the stove. To chop onions on or near the stove was also regarded as disrespectful and was forbidden.