Divine Treasures

• • See also: Sacred Regalia

Divine Treasures

Divine Treasures appear to be some form of previous items gifted to Japan or brought to Japan by kami in the distant past.

Reign of Sujin

Under the rule of this Emperor there is made mention of Sacred Treasures which had been brought to earth by Takehiratori and housed in the Izumo Shrine.¹²

In his 60th year of reign he sends Takemorosumi to collect them. The carer for them, Izumo Furune, was away in Kyushu and so his brother Ihiirine gives them to his other brother Umashikarahisa and his son Ukatsukunu to take them to the Empeor. Furune is furious and so kills Ihiirine. Umashikarahisa and Ukatsukunu inform the Emperor of the murder and so Kibitsuhiko and Takenumakahawake are sent to kill Furune.¹

Reign of Suinin

During the reign of this Emperor we see mention of Divine Treasures brought from Silla by Amenohihoko consisting of three gems (Habuto, Ashidaka and Ukaka) as well as an Idzushi short sword, Idzushi spear, sun mirror, and Kumahimorogi.

Initially they were stored in Tajima Province but later the Emperor sends for them.

Kiyohiko brings them, however, he attempts to hide one of the swords from the Emperor in his robes until he accidently shows it after drinking some sake.

After this the Emperor decides to take all the treasures and place them in the Sacred Treasury.

Following another inspection the sword again is found missing, Kiyohiko is asked about its whereabouts telling the Emperor it appeared by him during the night but was gone by morning.

It was later found in Ahajishima where it was them given a shrine and worshipped as a kami.¹

There also appears to be other divine treasures mentioned during this reign which may or may not be the same treasures. The Emperor notes he has not heard of the ‘Divine Treasures’ for some time and so sends the Mononobe Tochine no Ōmuraji to check on them. He makes a report and is put in charge of them.¹

Footnotes

1. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.
2. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.

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