• • Co-ordinates: 34°27′18″N 136°43′33″E
  • Region: Kansai Region
  • Prefecture: Mie Prefecture
  • Founded: 4BCE
  • Affiliation: Shinto

Ise Grand Shrine

The Ise Grand Shrine (伊勢神宮) is a Shinto Shrine dedicated to Amaterasu, located in Mie Prefecture. It is supposedly the resting place of the Sacred Mirror and was established by Yamatohime.

Mythological Origins

During the reign of Emperor Suinin, the jinnō shōtōki states that Ise Grand Shrine was mentioned during the time of Ninigi’s descent to Earth by the kami Sarudabikona when he stated that he would head to the headwaters of the Isuzu River at Sanagata in Ise.¹

Establishment

It was Yamatohime who eventually chose the area for the shrine. The care of Amaterasu was passed to her from Toyosukiiribime and so she went searching for a place to enshrine the kami, travelling through Sasahata in Uda, then Mino until finally reaching Ise.⁴

The jinnō shōtōki says that she toured the provinces at Amaterasu’s command, further saying she chose the headwaters of the Isuzu River in the Watarai District of Ise in the 26th year, 10th month of Suinin’s reign. Here the kami communed with Yamatohime saying she wished to dwell in Ise and so a shrine was built. When the shrine was first built Amaterasu made a descent from Heaven.¹

She made enquiries about where she could establish this shrine and advice from Ōtanomikoto helped her choose the place it currently resides. He tells her that here there were 50 bells arranged in the shape of the shrine of Heaven and that that these items here had been worshipped for 80,000 years¹

First Priests/Priestess’

In the jinnō shōtōki, Ohokashima is said to have been the first High Priest (saishu) with Ōhatanushi stated to have been the first Head Priest (ōkannushi).¹

In the kojiki it is stated that Toyosukiiribime was High Priestess.⁵

Sacred Regalia/Sacred Spear

After a site was chosen it is said Emperor Suinin placed the Sword and Mirror into the Naikū Shrine.³ The jinnō shōtōki differs slightly saying it was Yamatohime who placed them inside the shrine, this document also says that there was a legend stating the Jewelled Spear of Heaven was kept in the area later chosen for the site of Shrine.¹

Reign of Emperor Keikō

In the Emperor’s 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.¹

Reign of Emperor Tenmu

During the reign of Emperor Tenmu the tradition of rebuilding the Shrine once every twenty years was established as a symbol of rebirth.²

Footnotes

1. Varley, H.P (1980) “A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns: Jinnō Shōtōki of Kitabatake Chikafusa.” New York: Columbia University Press.
2. Martin, P. (1997) ”The Chrysanthemum Throne”. Gloucestershire: Sutton Publishing Limited.
3. Ponsonby, F. (1959) “The Imperial House of Japan.” Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society.
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.

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• • Period: Legendary Period
  • Occupation: Princess / Established the Ise Shrine
  • Family: Emperor Suinin (father) Hibasuhime (mother) Emperor Keikō (brother) Inishikinoiribiko (brother) Ohonakatsuhiko (brother) Wakakiiribiko (brother)
  • Birth: –
  • Death: –

Yamatohime

Yamatohime (倭比売命 / 倭姫命) was the daughter of Emperor Suinin and Hibasuhime and is creditted with the establishment of the Ise Grand Shrine.¹

Apparently there are miraculous tale relating to her birth and she is said to have lived for several hundred years.⁴

Ise Grand Shrine

The care of Amaterasu is passed from Toyosukiiribime to Yamatohime. She goes searching for a place to enshrine Amaterasu travelling through Sasahata in Uda, then Mino and finally reaches Ise.¹

The Jinnō Shōtōki says she toured the provinces at Amaterasu’s command, further saying she chose the headwaters of the Isuzu River in the Watarai District of Ise in the 26th year, 10th month of Suinin’s reign.²

Here the kami communes with Yamatohime saying she wishes to dwell in Ise and so a shrine was built. When the shrine was first built Amaterasu made a descent from Heaven.¹ And so following this the Emperor takes the Sacred Regalia and houses them in the Naiku Shrine here.³

The Jinnō Shōtōki says that she placed the Sword and Mirror into the shrine herself.²

During the establishment of the area it is said she enquired about the area.
Ōtanomikoto, a descendant of Sarudabiko, was the one who told her about the place she chose. He tells her that here there were 50 bells arranged in the shape of the shrine of Heaven, one legend even saying the Jewelled Spear of Heaven was also kept here.

Ōtanomikoto also telling her that these items here had been worshipped for 80,000 years.²

Yamato Takeru

Connections with her nephew Yamato Takeru state she gave him the clothes he wore, to disguise himself as a woman, to kill the Kumaso leader Torishikaya.¹ The kojiki says she gave him her clothes and a sword.⁴⁵

She later gives him the sword Kusanagi when he is sent to fight the Emishi.²

Footnotes

1. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.
2. Varley, H.P (1980) “A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns: Jinnō Shōtōki of Kitabatake Chikafusa.” New York: Columbia University Press.
3. Ponsonby, F. (1959) “The Imperial House of Japan.” Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society.
4. Chamberlain, B. H. (1932) “Translation of the Kojiki.” Kobe: J.L. Thompson & Co.
5. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.

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Izumi Province

Ise Province (伊勢国) was one of the many provinces in Japan.

Legendary Period

During the reign of Emperor Suinin his daughter Yamatohime is entrusted with the care of Amaterasu. She goes searching for a place to enshrine Amaterasu travelling through Sasahata in Uda, then Mino and finally reaches Ise.³

The Jinnō Shōtōki says she toured the provinces at Amaterasu’s command, further saying she chose the headwaters of the Isuzu River in the Watarai District of Ise in the 26th year, 10th month of Suinin’s reign.²

Here the kami communes with Yamatohime saying she wishes to dwell in Ise and so a shrine was built. When the shrine was first built Amaterasu made a descent from Heaven.³ And so following this the Emperor takes the Sacred Regalia and houses them in the Naiku Shrine here.⁴

The Jinnō Shōtōki says that she placed the Sword and Mirror into the shrine herself.²

During the establishment of the area it is said she enquired about the area.
Ōtanomikoto, a descendant of Sarudabiko, was the one who told her about the place she chose. He tells her that here there were 50 bells arranged in the shape of the shrine of Heaven, one legend even saying the Jewelled Spear of Heaven was also kept here.

Ōtanomikoto also telling her that these items here had been worshipped for 80,000 years.²

Emperor Keikō visits here when he wished to see the lands subdued by Yamato Takeru.³

Heian Period

During this period we know that Fujiwara no Tsugukage was stationed here as Governor. His daughter Lady Ise takes her name from this province as her real name is unknown.¹

Footnotes

1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
2. Varley, H.P (1980) “A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns: Jinnō Shōtōki of Kitabatake Chikafusa.” New York: Columbia University Press.
3. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.
4. Ponsonby, F. (1959) “The Imperial House of Japan.” Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society.

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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• • Period: Legendary Period
  • Occupation: Princess
  • Family: Emperor Sujin (father) Ohoamahime (mother) Ohohiriki (brother) Tohochinoiribime (sister) Yasakanoiribiko (brother)
  • Birth: –
  • Death: –

Nunakinobime

Nunakinobime (渟名城入姫命) was the daughter of Emperor Sujin and Ohoamahime.¹²³

The nihongi relates that when the Emperor seperated the worship of Amaterasu and Ōkuninushi, Ōkuninushi was placed under her care. However it states that she was bald and lean and therefore unfit for the role.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.

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• • Period: Legendary Period
  • Occupation: Princess
  • Family: Emperor Sujin (father) Tohotsunoayumemekuhashi (mother) Toyokiiribiko (brother)
  • Birth: –
  • Death: –

Toyosukiiribime

Toyosukiiribime (豊鍬入姫命) was the daughter of Emperor Sujin and Tohotsunoayumemekuhashi.

The kojiki states that she was High Priestess at the Ise Grand Shrine.¹²

The Jinnō Shōtōki states that during the reign of Sujin, he had a copy of the Sacred Sword and Mirror made. They were entrusted into the care of Toyosukiiribime who built a sacred enclosure in Kasanui in Yamato to worship them in. Later she was instructed by Amaterasu to journey the provinces with the Sword and Mirror.³

Later she would entrust the care of Amaterasu onto Yamatohime.⁴

Footnotes

1. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
2. Chamberlain, B. H. (1932) “Translation of the Kojiki.” Kobe: J.L. Thompson & Co.
3. Varley, H.P (1980) “A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns: Jinnō Shōtōki of Kitabatake Chikafusa.” New York: Columbia 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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Shinsen Shōjiroku

The Shinsen Shōjiroku (新撰姓氏録 – Revised Geneologies) is a piece of Japanese literature listing the geneologies of many noble families from the Heian Period. Originally created as a collection in 30 chapters¹ now only fragments of the original 30 survive.²

Begun in 799AD at the order of Emperor Kammu and compiled by a group of people led by the Emperors son Manda,³ it was finally completed in 815 and then presented to the court during the reign of Emperor Saga.¹

Contents

1177 families are listed in the book (originally 1182) showing them to have lived in the capital and the surrounding provinces. In the text they are grouped into 3 categories. Kōbetsu (offshoots of the Imperial line descended from Amaterasu), shimbetsu (those claiming descent from other spirits) and shiban (those of foreign origin.)¹

Kōbetsu category inclusions:

• • Abe Clan – Claiming descent from Emperor Kōgen.¹

Shimbetsu category inclusions:

• • Amatsuhikone – Clans descended from them included the Royal Representatives from Kawachi and Ubaraki; the Village Elders of the Wetnurses from Nukata; the Chieftains from Tanaka in Yamato; the District Masters from Takechi and the District Heads from Kamō.²
  • Amenohohi – Many Clans in Izumo claim descent from them.² This includes the Haji Clan through Nomi no Sukune with the Shinsen Shōjiroku also showing the Haji Clan dwelt in Yamashiro Province amongst others.⁴
  • Kamimusuhi – Many clans claimed decent from this kami.²
  • Takiribime – Many clans claimed decent from this kami.²

External Link

• • Shinsen Shōjiroku, an online edition

Footnotes

1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
2. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
3. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
4. Borgen, R. (1975) “The Origins of the Sugawara. A History of the Haji Family”. Monumenta Nipponica. Vol.30 No.4 pp.405-422

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Hear about Yamato no Orochi on Episode 44 of our Podcast, the Japan Archives.

Yamata no Orochi

Yamata no Orochi (ヤマタノオロチ, also 八岐大蛇 , 八俣遠呂智 or 八俣遠呂知, 大蛇) was a giant serpentine Dragon mentioned in the Shinto Mythologies in association with Susano-o. The Dragon and Susano-o can be found in old texts such as the Kojiki and Nihongi.¹²

The appaearance of the Dragon in the Nihongi states that it had an eight forked head and tail, red eyes, and upon its back grew firs and cyprus trees. The body was so long it filled eight valleys and covered eight hills.¹ The Kojiki states the beast came from Koshi Province and had eyes like red cherries, eight heads and tails, with a body the length of eight hills and valleys; covered with cypress trees. Additionally it says that blood oozed out its stomach constantly.²

Susano-o after being banished from Heaven eventually finds his way to the grieving parents of Kushinadahime. They mourn as every year the Dragon Yamata no Orochi comes to take one of their children to eat them. Susano-o offers to help free them from this torment, by getting Kushinadahime’s parents (Tenadzuchi and Ashinadzuchi) to brew eight barrels of sake for the Dragon. After it arrives and drink the sake it falls asleep and Susano-o uses this opportunity to kill the Dragon. Upon cutting up the beast his sword becomes stuck in its tail, and so opening up the tail to see why this happened he comes across the sword Kusanagi. This sword eventually makes it way up to Heaven.¹² The Kojiki relates that as the beast is killed the River Hi (Idzumo Province) filled with blood.²

One alternative version of the Nihongi state Susano-o feeds the Dragon the sake himself as he calls the Dragon an awful kami and so must be served. Other versions give different names to the blade Susano-o used to fell the beast. These being Ama no Hayekiri, Orochi no Aramasa and Orochi no Karasabi.¹

This tale of felling the Dragon is later told to Amaterasu when Susano-o goes to Heaven to give her the sword Kusanagi. (This is in an alternative version of the Nihongi). And there is also a version where Susano-o instructs his decendant Amenonofuyukinu to take the sword up to Heaven in his stead.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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• • Affiliation: Shinto
  • Kami of: –
  • Family: –

Yamatsuchi

Yamatsuchi is a Shinto kami seen in an alternative writing of the Nihongi. In this version they are tasked with gathering Sakaki Tree’s as part of the offerings to try and coax Amaterasu out of the Sacred Rock Cave.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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Amenoakarudama

Amenoakarudama is a Shinto kami mentioned in an alternative writing of the Nihongi where he said to be the child of Izanagi and is instructed with making jewels to try and coax Amaterasu out of the Sacred Rock Cave.¹

Under another name of Haakarutama it is said that she visits Susano-o and gives magatama beads which he then plans to gift to his sister.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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• • Affiliation: Shinto
  • Kami of: –
  • Family:

Wakahirume

Wakahirume (稚日女尊) is a Shinto kami mentioned in the Nihongi.

She is seen in an alternative writing of the Nihongi where she is startled by the acts of Susano-o whilst in the Weaving Hall of Takamagahara. She injurues herself on the weaving shuttle and dies, causing Amaterasu to hide in the Sacred Rock Cave.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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