• See also: List of Provinces

Iyo Province

Iyo Province (伊予国) was one of the many provinces of Japan.

Branches of the Date Clan are known to have controlled the Yoshida and Uwajima Domains in this province.¹

The kojiki states that this place is inhabited by the kami Ehime.

Legendary Period

The Emishi were sent to Harima, Sanuki, Iyo, Aki and Aha Provinces by Emperor Keikō as they were too violent and scared those that lived around Mount Mimoro.³

Heian Period

In the early 930’s Fujiwara no Sumitomo was sent here to serve as a minor provincial offical. Later in 936AD he was given orders to surpress pirate activity in the Inland Sea. However, he eventually became the leader of the pirates instead. The leader of Iyo then adopted a policy of appeasement and so pirate activity lessened. In January 940AD Sumitomo rose up against the government. The Court tried to stop Sumitomo by giving him the 5th Court Rank, however he continued to attack settlements in 11 provinces along the Inland Sea with his pirates.

A few months later the court turned their attention to Sumitomo. A large fleet was sent against him, led by Ono no Yoshifuru and Sumitomo found himself defeated in Hakata Bay. He fled to Iyo where he was then killed¹ by Fujiwara no Tadabumi.²

Later, during the events of the Earlier Nine Years War a man known as Abe no Munetō defeated the forces of the court at the Torinomi Palisade in 1057. However, in 1062 he surrendered after his brother was killed. Afterwards he was exiled to Iyo in 1064 and later Dazaifu (Kyushu).¹

Footnotes

1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
2. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
3. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.

Former Provinces of Japan
Kinai	Izumi * Kawachi * Settsu * Yamashiro * Yamato
Tōsandō	Dewa * Hida * Kōzuke * Mino * Mutsu * Omi * Shimotsuke * Shinano
Hokurikudō	Echigo * Echizen * Etchū * Kaga * Koshi * Wakasa
San’indō	Hōki * Inaba * Izumo * Tajima * Tamba * Tango
Tōkaidō	Ise * Kai * Kazusa * Mikawa * Owari * Sagami * Shimōsa * Suruga * Tōtōmi
Nankaidō	Awa * Iyo * Kii * Sanuki * Tosa
San’yōdō	Aki * Harima * Mimasaka
Saikaidaō	Bungo * Chikuzen * Hizen * Hyūga * Iki * Tsushima
Pre-Taihō Code	Kibi

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• • See also: List of Provinces

Sanuki Province

Sanuki Province (讃岐国) was one of the many provinces of Japan.

The kojiki states it is inhabited by the kami Iiyorohiko.³

Legendary Period

The Emishi were sent to Harima, Sanuki, Iyo, Aki and Aha Provinces by Emperor Keikō as they were too violent and scared those that lived around Mount Mimoro.⁴

Heian Period

In 866AD we see Sugawara no Michizane appointed as Governor of this province. A position which he held for 4 years.¹²

Footnotes

1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
2. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
3. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
4. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.

Former Provinces of Japan
Kinai	Izumi * Kawachi * Settsu * Yamashiro * Yamato
Tōsandō	Dewa * Hida * Kōzuke * Mino * Mutsu * Omi * Shimotsuke * Shinano
Hokurikudō	Echigo * Echizen * Etchū * Kaga * Koshi * Wakasa
San’indō	Hōki * Inaba * Izumo * Tajima * Tamba * Tango
Tōkaidō	Ise * Kai * Kazusa * Mikawa * Owari * Sagami * Shimōsa * Suruga * Tōtōmi
Nankaidō	Awa * Iyo * Kii * Sanuki * Tosa
San’yōdō	Aki * Harima * Mimasaka
Saikaidaō	Bungo * Chikuzen * Hizen * Hyūga * Iki * Tsushima
Pre-Taihō Code	Kibi

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Aki Province

Aki Province (安藝國/安芸国) was one of the many provinces in Japan.

Legendary Period

According to one version of events in the nihongi, the kami Susano-o comes to the River Ye in this province. Here he meets Ashi-nadzu-te-nadzu and his wife Inada no Miya-nushi Susa no yatsu-mimi.

They are both filled with sorrow as the kami is pregnant and soon Yamata no Orochi will come to consume the child. Susano-o makes them brew sake, which the dragon drinks and then falls asleep; after Susano-o calls the dragon an awful kami and offers to serve him.

He then cuts up the Dragon with his sword called, Orochi no Aramasa. When he cuts the Dragons tail, he finds inside of it Kusanagi.¹

The Emishi were sent to Harima, Sanuki, Iyo, Aki and Aha Provinces by Emperor Keikō as they were too violent and scared those that lived around Mount Mimoro.¹

Kamakura Period

Takeda Nobumitsu became shugo (military governor) of Aki Province in 1221, for aiding the Kamakura Shogunate during the Jōkyū Disturbance.²

Muromachi Period

There were at least 10 Takeda shugo during the Muromachi Shogunate from this province, this lineage having been started by Takeda Nobumitsu after his involvement in the Jōkyū Disturbance.²

Amago Tsunehisa extended his families power into Aki and Bingo Provinces fighting against the Mōri and Ōuchi Families.²

Footnotes

1. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697″. Tuttle Publishing.
2. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.

Former Provinces of Japan
Kinai	Izumi * Kawachi * Settsu * Yamashiro * Yamato
Tōsandō	Dewa * Hida * Kōzuke * Mino * Mutsu * Omi * Shimotsuke * Shinano
Hokurikudō	Echigo * Echizen * Etchū * Kaga * Koshi * Wakasa
San’indō	Hōki * Inaba * Izumo * Tajima * Tamba * Tango
Tōkaidō	Ise * Kai * Kazusa * Mikawa * Owari * Sagami * Shimōsa * Suruga * Tōtōmi
Nankaidō	Awa * Iyo * Kii * Sanuki * Tosa
San’yōdō	Aki * Harima * Mimasaka
Saikaidaō	Bungo * Chikuzen * Hizen * Hyūga * Iki * Tsushima
Pre-Taihō Code	Kibi

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• • Affiliation: Shinto
  • Kami of: –
  • Family: –

Hiwashi

Hiwashi (天日鷲神) is a Shinto kami mentioned in the Nihongi. They are seen in an alternative writing of the Nihongi during the time when Amaterasu is hiding in the Sacred Rock Cave. He is instructed to gather tree fibres as one of the offerings to try to coax her out of the cave.

They are said to be the ancestor of the Imbe of Aha Province.¹

Footnotes

1. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.

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• See also: Provinces

Harima Province

Harima Province (播磨国) is one of the many Provinces which once existed in Japan.¹ It also went by the name of Banshū (播州) and is now located in the modern prefecture of Hyōgo.²

One version of the folktale known as banchō sarayashiki is set in this Province, taking place at Himeji Castle.²³

Archaeological evidence from here shows the Haji Clan left settlements here and in Mimasaka as they moved from Izumo to Yamato Province.⁴

Legendary Period

In the pages of the kojiki it is said that Wakatakehiko with his half-brother Kibitsuhiko laid sacred jars on the River Hi in Harima. After this they went to subdue and pacify the area.⁵

Yamanobe no Ohotaka passed through here on his way to catch a swan for the Prince Homutsuwake.⁵

The Emishi were sent to Harima, Sanuki, Iyo, Aki and Aha Provinces by Emperor Keikō as they were too violent and scared those that lived around Mount Mimoro.⁷

Kamakura/Muromachi Period

Akamatsu Norisuke and Akamatsu Norimura served as shugo here during their lifetime.¹

Azuchi-Momoyama Period

Amago Katsuhisa came under seige by the Mōri in 1578⁶ at Kōzuki Castle here; later commiting suicide.¹

Footnotes

1. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
2. Yoda, H. and Alt, M. (2016) “Japandemonium: Illustrated: The Yokai Encyclopaedia of Toriyama Sekien.”. New York: over Publications, Inc.
3. Yoda, H & Alt, M. (2012) “Yurei Attack: The Japanese Ghost Survival Guide” Tokyo: Tuttle Publishing.
4. Borgen, R. (1975) “The Origins of the Sugawara. A History of the Haji Family”. Monumenta Nipponica. Vol.30 No.4 pp.405-422
5. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
6. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
7. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.

Former Provinces of Japan
Kinai	Izumi * Kawachi * Settsu * Yamashiro * Yamato
Tōsandō	Dewa * Hida * Kōzuke * Mino * Mutsu * Omi * Shimotsuke * Shinano
Hokurikudō	Echigo * Echizen * Etchū * Kaga * Koshi * Wakasa
San’indō	Hōki * Inaba * Izumo * Tajima * Tamba * Tango
Tōkaidō	Ise * Kai * Kazusa * Mikawa * Owari * Sagami * Shimōsa * Suruga * Tōtōmi
Nankaidō	Awa * Iyo * Kii * Sanuki * Tosa
San’yōdō	Aki * Harima * Mimasaka
Saikaidaō	Bungo * Chikuzen * Hizen * Hyūga * Iki * Tsushima
Pre-Taihō Code	Kibi

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Provinces

The Japanese provinces (国 kuni or koku) were geographical areas which were establsihed by the Kokugun System and the Taika Reforms came into being in 645AD.

Initially they comprised of 58 kuni with 3 islands provinces, however by 822AD this had changed to 66 kuni and 2 islands provinces.

These areas existed under the Meiji Restoration and were offically abolished in 1871 and replaced with the current Prefectural System.¹ When the Prefectures were established the old provinces were grouped by geographical location into the ‘Five Provinces of Kinai’ and the ‘Seven Circuits.²

During their existence they were lead by Kokushi (Provisional Governors) and Gunji (District Officials).¹

Here follows a list of Provinces on our site. This is not yet completely and will continued to be added to over time.

Provinces of the Kinai

• • Izumi Province
  • Kawachi Province
  • Settsu Province
  • Yamashiro Province
  • Yamato Province

Tōsandō Circuit

• • Dewa Province
  • Hida Province
  • Kōzuke Province
  • Mino Province
  • Mutsu Province
  • Omi Province
  • Shimotsuke Province
  • Shinano Province

Hokurikudō Circuit

• • Echigo Province
  • Echizen Province
  • Etchū Province
  • Kaga Province
  • Koshi Province
  • Wakasa Province

San’indō Circuit

• • Hōki Province (also called Hahaki Province)
  • Inaba Province
  • Izumo Province
  • Tajima Province
  • Tamba Province
  • Tango Province

Tōkaidō Circuit

• • Ise Province
  • Kai Province
  • Kazusa Province
  • Mikawa Province
  • Owari Province
  • Sagami Province
  • Shimōsa Province
  • Suruga Province
  • Tōtōmi Province

Nankaidō Circuit

• • Awa Province
  • Iyo Province
  • Kii Province
  • Sanuki Province
  • Tosa Province

San’yōdō Circuit

• • Aki Province
  • Harima Province (also called Banshu Province)
  • Mimasaka Province

Saikaidaō Circuit

• • Bungo Province
  • Chikuzen Province
  • Hizen Province
  • Hyūga Province (also called Himuka Province)
  • Iki Province
  • Tsushima Province

Pre-Taihō Code

• • Kibi Province

Footnotes

1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
2. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.

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• • Reign: 71-130AD
  • Period: Legendary Period
  • Family: Emperor Suinin (father) Hibasuhime (mother) Yasakairihime (wife) Emperor Seimu (son) many children see below
  • Burial place: misasagi in Yamanobe
  • Order of Succession: Predecessor Emperor Suinin * Successor Emperor Seimu

Emperor Keikō

Emperor Keikō (景行天皇) was the twelfth Emperor of Japan also known as Ōtarashihiko Oshirowake no Mikoto (大足彦忍代別天皇)¹²³⁵. He ruled from 71-130AD and was said to be 10ft 5 inches tall.⁵

Family

Emperor Keikō is said to have an extensive family of 80 children consisting of 72 sons and 8 daughters. Most of his sons later became provincial governors or viceroys¹⁵ aside from Yamato Takeru, Ihokiirihiko and Emperor Seimu.¹

The kojiki and nihongi list different children at times.

This Emperor was the son of Emperor Suinin and Hibasuhime.¹²³⁶

With Yasakairihime he had the future Emperor Seimu,¹⁵ as well as Ihokiirihiko, Oshiwake, Ihokiirihime¹², Kagoyorihime, Isakinoirihiko, Kibinoehiko, Takakinoirihime, Otohime, Wakayamatoneko, Ōsuwake, Nunoshi no Iratsume and Nunaki no Iratsume.¹

With Harima no Inabi no Ōiratsume he had several sons called Ōsu, Osu,¹⁵² Kushitsunuwake, Wakayamatoneko and Kamukushi.²

With Ōiratsume’s younger sister Inabi no waka iratsume he had to sons called Mawakanomiko and Hikohitonoohoye.²

With Midzuha no Iratsume he had Ihonohime.¹

With Ikahahime he had Kamikushi and Inasenoirihiko.¹

With Takadahime he had Takekunikoriwake.¹

With Ōtanehime of Kaminaga he had Hiuga no Sotsuhiko.¹

With Sonotakebime he had Kunichiwake, Kunisewake and Toyotowake.¹

With Mihakashihime he had a son called Toyokuniwake.¹²

With Kagurohime he had Ohoyenomiko.²

With an unnamed concubine he had Wakakinoiribiko.²

Prior to Reign

Prior to his reign in the 30th year of his fathers reign he and his brother Inishikinoiribiko were commanded to state what it is that they want. Inishikinoiribiko says all he wants is a bow and arrow, Emperor Keikō saying he wanted the throne.

Due to this the asked for gifts were given and Emperor Keikō was made heir officially in his 37th year of his ruling.¹

Reign

Emperor Keikō ascended to the throne in 71AD according to Ponsonby,⁵ more specifically 1st Year, Autumn, 7th Month, 11th day according to the nihongi. This was after being made heir in the 37th year of fathers reign, aged 21.¹

His palace was known as the Hishiro Palace and was located in Makimuku⁵⁶ and he took as his Empress Ōiratsume in the ‘2nd Year, Spring, 3rd Month, 3rd Day.’¹

Early Divination

In the 4rd Year, Spring, 2nd Month, 1st day of his reign a divination is undertaken to see if the Emperor should go to Kii to make a sacrifice to all the kami. The divination prooved to be unlucky and so the Emperor didn’t go sending instead Yanushioshihodakewogoro where he then stayed for nine years and married.⁵

Marriage to Yasakaiirihime

The Emperor ventured to Mino Province in the 4th Year, Spring, 2nd Month, 11th Day. Whilst here he is told about a woman called Otohime. The Emperor wanted her but she hid from him in a bamboo grove and so he provisonally made her live in the Kuguri Palace where he let lose a carp in the pond to watch them.

Otohime was interested and came to watch and so the Emperor detained her and had sex with her. Otohime says after she was ugly and unworthy of the Emperor and that a marriage together would not be convenient.

And so she mentions her older sister Yasakairihime and the Emperor agree to marry her and togther they have seven sons and six daughters. And he finally returns to the Hishiro Palace at Makimuku.⁵

Prince Ōsu

The Emperor later heard of the daughters of Kambone by the names of Anetohoko and Ototohoko and so sends his son Ōsu to collect them. However, his son decides he wants to marry them himself and has sex with them. The Emperor finds out and is furious. This is ralted in the nihongi.¹

In the kojiki he is sent to collect Yehime and Otohime and marries them instead. Sending different women to the Empeor. The Emperor realises they are the wrong women and so only looks at them from afar and never marries them.²³

Later on the Emperor asks why Ōsu does not attend him morning and night and sends Yamato Takeru to teach him his duties. After five days he asks where Ōsu is, Yamato Takeru saying their was trouble so in the morning while he brother went to the bathroom he grabbed him, crushed him and pulled of his limbs.

Wrapping them in matting and then throwing them away.²³

This was the reason why Yamato Takeru was later sent to deal with the Kumaso later in the Emperors 28th year.²³⁵

Establishing new ‘Be’

The Be known as the Tabe (labourers) and the Kashikade no ohotomo be (butlers, stewards, cooks of the Imperial House) were established.

1st Rebellion of the Kumaso and Tsuchigumo

For more information see: Kumaso Rebellions

A mentioning of the Kumaso Rebellion for the first time in the text of the nihongi does not include Yamato Takeru as the one who manages to defeat them.

It states that in the 12th Year, Autumn, 7th Month the Kumaso rebel giving no tribute and so in the 8th Month the Emperor goes to Tsukushi.

Arriving on the 5th day of the 9th Month in Saha he address his ministers and sends Takemorogi, Unade and Natsubana to see what is happening.

A female chief by the name of Kamunashihime is found and she submits herself and her people to the Emperor saying they are not the ones causing problems and so gives information on those who are. There names being Hanatari, Mimitari, Asahagi and Tsuchiworiwiwori all encamped in various places.

Eventually they are all defeated through various means by the 13th Year, Summer, 5th Month with the Emperor remaining in the Takaya Palace for six years where he takes Mihakashihime as a concubine having a son called Toyokuniwake.

Other source states it was instead Yamato Takeru who deals with the rebellion of the Kumaso⁵⁶.First in the 12th year of his reign where he goes to Tsukushi, and then again in the 13th year. During time Yamato Takeru resided in the Takaya Palace.⁶

Another female chief by the name of Hayatsuhime tells the Emperor of Tsuchigumo by the names of Awo and Shira living in the ‘Rat’s Cave,’ with another three called Uchizaru, Yata and Kunimaro living in Negino.

These people wouldn’t come under Imperial Rule and so mallets were given to the Imperial Troops made from camellia trees and all those living in the caves were killed.¹

Creating Provincial Leaders

The Emperor makes most of his 72 sons into provincial leaders sending them to live in the places they are to govern over. All of them given the title of wake to denote a branch house.⁵

Touring Kyushu

• • See also: Poems and Songs of Emperor Keiko

He is reported as the ruler who gave the North-West district of Kyushu its name of ‘Abundance’ after seeing the abundance of yams that grew here as well as giving Chikanoshima its name ‘Near Isles’ due to its proximity to Kyushu.²³

In his 17th year of reign he vsited the Koyu District in Hyuga visiting the moors of Nimo there. Missing the capital during the visit he composed a poem.

The following year (year 18) he tours Tsukushi and sees a group of men on the banks of the rive Ihase. He sends Hinamori the Younger and Hinamori the Elder to ask and the younger returns saying it is Idzumihime the kimi of Murokata. They banquet together.

In the summer of that year he arrives in Kuma summoning Kumatsuhiko the Younger and Kumatsuhiko the Elder. Only the Elder comes and so the Younger is put to death.

In Ashikata, he asks Wohidari for water, but there is none, so he prays and a spring comes forth from the cliffs.

Later, in the 5th month, he sails to Hi but there were lost at night and end up following a fire they see, and upon arriving in Toyomura he is told the fires were not man made.¹ These were the phenomenon known as the Shiranui.⁴

The next month he kills a Tsuchigumo called Tsudzura in the Tamakina District  and on the 16th day of that month he arrives in Aso asking who lives here to which two kami called Asotsuhiko and Asotsuhime say this is where they dwell.

In the 7th month he constructs a palace at Takaya. here was a tree once so tall it covered the Hill of Kishima in shade in the morning and Mount Aso in the evening, and so the Emperor composed a song about it.

Arriving in Yame he asks if a kami dwells here. Saruohomi tells him that Yametsuhime dwells here which is where the area got the name from.

In the 25th year of his reign he tasks Takeuchi to enquire about the geography of the Northern and Eastern Provinces for the well being of the people.

He returns to the Emperor saying in the East is a place called Hitakami where the Yemishi live and that they should be attacked due to having fertile land.¹

2nd Rebellion of the Kumaso

In the 27th year Yamato Takeru is sent to Tsukushi as the Kumaso are plundering the border regions.¹⁶

He takes several men with him and here they meet the leader Torishikaya. At a banquet Yamato Takeru disguises self as a woman, sitting next to the leader. Once he is drunk, Yamato Takeru eventually kills him with the rest of his men killing the remaining Kumaso peoples.¹

The Jinnō Shōtōki similarly also only gives one leader by the name of Takeruhito Konokamitori Ishikaya. This leader praises the prince for killing him and gives him the name of ‘Yamato Takeru.’⁶

Other sources, such as Ponsonby, say there were two tribal leaders killed by Yamato Takeru.⁵

Returning after this he kills the kami of the Ferry of Ana and the Ferry of Kashiha declaring these two matter completed in the 28th year of the Emperors reign.¹

Rebellion of Emishi and death of Yamato Takeru

In the Emperors 40th year Yamato Takeru is sent east to deal with the rebelling Eastern Barbarians (tōi) accompanied by Kibi no Takehiko and Ōtomo no Takehi. Going via the Ise Grand Shrine he is given the sword Kusanagi by his aunt Yamatohime.¹⁶

Prior to this Ministers inquired as to who should be the one to go deal with the threat with Yamato Takeru saying his brother Ōsu should go.¹ This of course contradicts the kojiki as Yamato Takeru had already ripped apart his brother in that narrative.²³

Following these exploits he goes on to kill several kami, however, one kami eventually make him ill and he passes away aged 30. The Emperor orders him buried on the plain of Nobo and also has tombs for him made in Kotohiki no Hara in Yamato and Furuichi in Kawachi as they see the spirit of Yamato Takeru as a bird fly to these places.¹⁶

After these were subjugated the Emperor took a tour of these places in the 53rd and 54th years of his reign before moving his palace to Shiga in Ōmi the following year.⁵ During this time he stayed in the Kambuta Palace in Ise.⁶

Events following Takeru’s Death

In his 43rd year of reign he established the Takeru Be in honor of Yamato Takeru.¹

In the 51st year of his reign he is said to have made Takeuchi no Sukune prime minister¹⁶ and the future Emperor Seimu prince Imperial. This was following on from a feast in which the two of them did not attend, as they chose to stand guard so the other Ministers could enjoy themselves; this made the Emperor happy.

Kusanagi is also said to have been placed in the Atsuta Shrine.

The captured Emishi are said to have fought day and night, with Yamatohime saying to not allow them near to the Ise Grand Shrine; and so they were sent to live next to Mount Mimoro.

They continue to fight, scaring those that live in the area and so the Emperor sends them to live in Harima, Sanuki, Iyo, Aki and Aha Provinces.

In the 53rd year of his reign he wished to see the lands subdued by Yamato Takeru, going to Ise, Kadzusa and Awa. He captured clams, with Ihaka Mutsukari making him a shoulder strap to carry them and as a reward gives to him the
Ōtomo Be. Eventually the Emperor comes to reside in the Kambata Palace in Ise.

In the 54th year he sends Prince Hikosajima to govern the 15 Provinces of the Tōsandō though he dies before taking residence there. In responce to this, in the 56th year he instead sends Prince Mimorowake to take his place and he deals with the Emishi in the area..

In his 57th year he has the Pool of Sakate built with embankments planted with bamboo and had every province construct granaries.¹²³

Death

The Emperor died in 130AD at the age of 143 according to Ponsonby.⁵ The Jinnō Shōtōki says he died age 140⁶ and the nihongi gives him a much younger age of 106 when he passed away.¹

The nihongi additionally says he passed away in the ’60th year, Winter, 11th month, 7th day whilst in the Takaanaho Palace.’¹

He was buried in the 2nd year, Winter, 11th month, 10th day of his sons reign in his misasagi in Yamanobe.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.
3. Chamberlain, B. H. (1932) “Translation of the Kojiki.” Kobe: J.L. Thompson & Co.
4. Yoda, H. and Alt, M. (2016) “Japandemonium: Illustrated: The Yokai Encyclopaedia of Toriyama Sekien.”. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.
5. Ponsonby, F. (1959) “The Imperial House of Japan.” Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society.
6. Varley, H.P (1980) “A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns: Jinnō Shōtōki of Kitabatake Chikafusa.” New York: Columbia University Press.

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Imbe Clan

The Imbe Clan (忌部氏, 斎部氏) were one of the many various clans of Japan. This clan claimed descent from the Shinto kami Ameno Futodama.³

The kami Hiwashi is said to be the ancestor of the Imbe of Aha Province.⁴

Originally of low class they gained power and influence as the court became invested in sacerdotal powers. Between the 4th and 7th century they, with the Nakatomi Clan oversaw the Yamato Court.²³

During the reign of Emperor Kōtoku in the 7th Century, this clan alongside the Nakatomi Clan and Urabe Clan were tasked with overseeing the Shinto department known as the Jingikan.¹ There was a guild of artisans (Be) known to have been responsible for the maintenance and keeping of objects relating to Shinto worship, which was over seen by Imbe no Obito.³

However, they become eclipsed by the Fujiwara Clan after the 7th Century. In 807AD, in a desperate attempt to regain power, a clan member called Imbe no Hironari publishes the Kogo Shūi.²³

Members of the House

• Imbe no Hironari
• Imbe no Obito

Footnotes

1. Martin, P. (1997) ”The Chrysanthemum Throne”. Gloucestershire: Sutton Publishing Limited.
2. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
3. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
4. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.

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• For a full list of Clans: See Clans.

Emishi

The Emishi (蝦夷 – Eastern Barbarians), also called at time the Ezo People¹, were a Clan of people living on the periphery of the Yamato borders. Some scholars believe they could be the ancestors of the Ainu.² Historically they are known to have lived in northern Japan, in particular Mutsu Province.¹

Description

In the 28th year of Emperor Keikō‘s reign Takeuchi no Sukune makes a report on the Emishi saying they tie up their hair and have tatoos upon their body.⁴

It is during his reign that we see a description of the people in the nihongi which describes them as people that, live together promiscously with no distinction of father and child. In the winter they live in holes, in summer they dwell in nests. Their clothing consists of fur and they drink blood and that when recieving favour they forget it, but when injured they never forget to take revenge. Due to this they keep arrows in their tops knots and swords in their clothes.⁴

Legendary Period

Takeuchi no Sukune reccomends Emperor Keikō attack them as they hold lots of fertile lands in a place called Hitakami in the East.⁴

Later, in the 40th year⁴ of Emperor Keiko’s reign he send Yamato Takeru to subdue the Emishi, accompanied by Takehiko, Takehi no Muraji and Nanatsukahagi.²⁴

Prior to this Ministers inquired as to who should be the one to go deal with the threat with Yamato Takeru saying his brother Ōsu should go.⁴ This of course contradicts the kojiki as Yamato Takeru had already ripped apart his brother in that narrative.⁵⁶

Once more he visits his aunt who gives him this time the sword Kusanagi⁴ and flints for lighting fire.²

He travels through Suruga with the people there tricking him to go hunt deer in the moor there. He does, but find the moor set on fire by those who sent him there to hunt. He makes a counter fire and survives and so then goes to kill all the brigands who tricked him.

An alternative version of the nihongi says because of this event Murokumo became called Kusanagi.

Venturing on the Sagami he wished to cross the sea to reach Kadzusa. Whilst sailing a storms begins an so Ototachibanahime, who was with him in the boat, sacrifices herself and the storm stops. Due to this Yamato Takeru can continue on and goes to Michi no Oku after Kadzusa.

Continuing on, he reaches Shimosa where he finds two Emishi leaders in Take called Shimatsukami and Kunitsukami. Upon seeing his ship, knowing they would be defeated, they throw down their weapons and so Yamato Takeru makes them his personal attendants.⁴

The Emishi that Yamato Takeru had captured were said to have fought day and night, with Yamatohime saying to not allow them near to the Ise Grand Shrine; and so they were sent to live next to Mount Mimoro.

They continue to fight, scaring those that live in the area and so the Emperor sends them to live in Harima, Sanuki, Iyo, Aki and Aha Provinces.

Prince Mimorowake later deals with the Emishi in the Tōsandō Provinces when he was attacked by the Emishi he fought back with the leaders Ashifurihe, Ohohafurihe and Tohotsu Kurahohe bowing to him in defeat.

They handed their territory to him and so he pardoned them. Those who did not submit he had killed.⁴

Asuka Period

Abe no Hirafu is recorded in the nihongi as being sent three times by Emperor Saimei between 658 and 660 to subdue the Ezo People, with some believing he may have gone as far north as Hokkaido.¹ He is said to have had 180 ships for his attacks on the Ezo.³

Nara Period

Fujiwara no Tsuginawa (727-796AD) and Fujiwara no Oguromaro (733-794) are sent north to battle the Emishi.³

Heian Period

Miltary outposts known as Nutari no Ki and Iwafune no Ki were constructed in the Province of Echigo to hold troops to aid in the control of the Emishi/Ezo people¹ and by 801AD they had been subdued by Sakanoue no Tamuramaro. Additonally, other buidlings, such as Tagajō, Izawajō and Akitajō were built to also aide in the subjugation of these people.¹³

Footnotes

1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
2. Littleton. C.S. (1995) “Yamato-takeru: An Arthurian Hero in Japanese Tradition”. Asian Folklore Studies, Vol. 54, No.2, pp.259-274.
3. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
4. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.
5. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
6. Chamberlain, B. H. (1932) “Translation of the Kojiki.” Kobe: J.L. Thompson & Co.

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