Which deity is enshrined in Mount Fuji in Shintoism? (e.g., Konohanasakuya-hime)

Sure! Here is the accurate and natural English translation formatted in markdown:

Of course! Regarding the deity enshrined at Mount Fuji, here’s the explanation:

The Deity Enshrined at Mount Fuji: Konohanasakuya-hime

That’s right—as you mentioned, the chief deity worshipped on Mount Fuji in Shinto is Konohanasakuya-hime (このはなさくやひめ).

You can think of her as a supremely beautiful "Goddess of Mount Fuji."

Who is she? Why her?

To understand why she’s honored here, let’s explore her name and legends. This makes it easy to remember:

The Meaning of Her Name: Princess in Bloom, Like the Sakura
- Konohana (このはな) in ancient Japanese means "flowers on trees," specifically cherry blossoms.
- Sakuya (さくや) means "to bloom."
- Hime (ひめ) means "princess" or "goddess."
- So, her name translates to "Princess Who Lets the Blossoms Flourish." The very name evokes beauty. She symbolizes splendor, vitality, and life itself.
From "Flower Goddess" to "Volcano Deity" You might wonder: How is this goddess of blossoms connected to an active volcano? The answer lies in a famous legend:
- Legend says Konohanasakuya-hime married Ninigi-no-Mikoto, the grandson of the sun goddess Amaterasu. Though conceived on the wedding night, Ninigi doubted the parentage of her children due to the swift pregnancy.
- To prove the child’s divine origin and her purity, Konohanasakuya-hime committed an act of fierce resolve: She locked herself in a windowless hut, lit a fire, and vowed: "If the child is not yours, mother and child will perish; if it is yours, the fire will spare us."
- Amidst the flames, she safely gave birth to three sons.
This legend of "childbirth unscathed by fire" endowed her with the power to control flames. Since Mount Fuji is a giant active volcano, its eruptions threatened nearby lives. Ancient Japanese thus believed that enshrining this flame-conquering goddess could appease the mountain’s wrath, protecting those at its base.

Where is she worshipped?

Shrines across Japan dedicated to Konohanasakuya-hime are called Asama Shrines/Sengen Shrines (浅間神社). There are over 1,300 such shrines.

Head Shrine (Sō-hongū / 総本宮): The central shrine is Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha, located at the base of Mount Fuji. This is the heart of her worship.
Summit Shrine: At Mount Fuji’s summit stands an "inner shrine" (Okumiya) of Sengen Taisha, enabling climbers to pay respects directly to the goddess.

So, to summarize:

Mount Fuji enshrines Konohanasakuya-hime. She is both a goddess of cherry-blossom beauty and a deity of fierce resolve proven in flames. People worship her, seeking her power to control fire and pacify the volcanic fury of Mount Fuji, praying for safety and peace.