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The leech child is a mythological figure which appears in [[Shinto|Shintô]] origin myths. It was the first offspring born to [[Izanami]] and [[Izanagi]], the Shintô progenitor deities. Deformed as the result of an error in the wedding ritual (Izanami, the female, spoke first), the leech child after three years still had not learned to walk (or, did not have legs, or had legs that drooped and couldn't be stood upon). It was sent away in a reed boat, and eventually became (or is otherwise strongly associated with) [[Awaji Island]] in the [[Inland Sea]].

The leech child is a mythological figure which appears in [[Shinto|Shintô]] origin myths. It was the first offspring born to [[Izanami]] and [[Izanagi]], the Shintô progenitor deities. Deformed as the result of an error in the wedding ritual (Izanami, the female, spoke first), the leech child after three years still had not learned to walk (or, did not have legs, or had legs that drooped and couldn't be stood upon). It was sent away in a reed boat, and eventually became (or is otherwise strongly associated with) [[Awaji Island]] in the [[Inland Sea]].

The leech child, or Hiruko, is also strongly associated with [[Ebisu]], one of the [[Seven Lucky Gods]].

The leech child, or Hiruko, is also strongly associated with [[Ebisu]], one of the [[Seven Lucky Gods]], and the [[kanji|characters]] for "Hiruko" can also be alternatively read (pronounced) "Ebisu."

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