Kakurezato

Kakurezato (隠れ里 – Hidden Village) is a type of yōkai/place depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi by Toriyama Sekien.

This is the separate realm where yōkai, ghosts, mythical beasts, immortals and others not of this world live.

This depiction of Kakurezato shows a celebration headed by Daikokuten, the god of commerce and trade.

He is wrapped in a lucky bag, within his right hand appearing to hold cintamani jewels. The rice is overrun by mice with gold koban in their mouths.

The red snappers on the tables to eat, which in Japanese is tai, evokes the idea of medetai, or auspiciousness¹

External Links

• • View the book online here: Konjaku Hyakki Shūi Online.

Footnotes

1. Yoda, H. and Alt, M. (2016) “Japandemonium: Illustrated: The Yokai Encyclopaedia of Toriyama Sekien.”. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.

List of Supernatural Creatures

Abura akago * Aka Manto * Akaname * Akashita * Amanozako * Amefuri Kozo * Ameonna * Amikiri * Aoandō * Aōbozu * Aonyobo * Aosagi no hi * Ayakashi * Buruburu * Chochin bi * Dōjōji no kane * Dōmeki * Dorotabō * Enenra * Funa Yurei * Furaribi * Fūri * Furutsubaki no rei * Gaikotsu * Ganbari Nyudo * Gagoze * Gangikozō * Gensuke * Haka no hi * Hangonkō * Hannya * Hashi-Hime * Hatahiro * Hiderigami * Hikeshi baba * Himamushi-nyūdō * Hinode * Hitodama * Hitotsume Kozō * Hiyoribo * Hōkō * Hone Onna * Hyōsube * Ikiryō * Inugami * Jakotsubaba * Jatai * Jorōgumo * Kamaitachi * Kamikiri * Kanedama * Kageonna * Kappa * Kasha * Katawa Guruma * Kawa Akago * Kawauso * Kazenbō * Kidōmaru * Kitsunebi * Kejoro * Kerakeraonna * Kodama * Kokuribaba * Kosamebō * Kosode no te * Kosenjo no hi * Kurozuka * Makurageishi * Mikoshi * Minobi * Momiji-gari * Momonjii * Morinji no Kama * Nekomata * Ningyo * Ninmenju * Noderabō * Nopperabo * Nuppeppō * Nurarihyon * Nureonna * Nuribotoke * Nyūnai Suzume * Obariyon * Oboro-guruma * Ōkaburo * Ōkubi * Okiku * Ōmagatoki * Oni * Onihitokuchi * Onmoraki * Osakabe * Oshiroibaba * Otoroshi * Ouni * Ōzatō * Rokurokubi * Sakabashira * Samebito * Sansei * Sarakozoe * Satori * Sesshō-seki * Seta * Shinkirō * Shirachigo * Shiranui * Shōkera * Shokuin * Shuten-dōji * Sōgenbi * Suiko * Takaonna * Tamamo-no-mae * Tanuki * Tenasobi * Tenjō-Kudari * Tengu * Tengu Tsubute * Tenome * Teratsutsuki * Tesso * Tōdaiki * Tōfu Kozō * Tsurubebi * Ubagabi * Ubume * Umibozū * Umizatō * Ushinotoki-mairi * Ushioni * Uwan * Waira * Wani * Wanyudo * Yamabiko * Yamauba * Yamawarawa * Yanari * Yukionna * Zenki and Goki

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Takirei-ō

Takirei-ō (滝霊王 – Waterfall Spirit King) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi by Toriyama Sekien.

This creature is said to appear in waterfall basins of various regions.

In the Blue Dragon Commentary it says all demons and calamities must submit to its authority.

He is shown wearing a sword and lariat (lasoo), biting at their lower lip, strongly resembling Fudō Myoō from Buddhism.¹

External Links

• • View the book online here: Konjaku Hyakki Shūi Online.

Footnotes

1. Yoda, H. and Alt, M. (2016) “Japandemonium: Illustrated: The Yokai Encyclopaedia of Toriyama Sekien.”. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.

List of Supernatural Creatures

Abura akago * Aka Manto * Akaname * Akashita * Amanozako * Amefuri Kozo * Ameonna * Amikiri * Aoandō * Aōbozu * Aonyobo * Aosagi no hi * Ayakashi * Buruburu * Chochin bi * Dōjōji no kane * Dōmeki * Dorotabō * Enenra * Funa Yurei * Furaribi * Fūri * Furutsubaki no rei * Gaikotsu * Ganbari Nyudo * Gagoze * Gangikozō * Gensuke * Haka no hi * Hangonkō * Hannya * Hashi-Hime * Hatahiro * Hiderigami * Hikeshi baba * Himamushi-nyūdō * Hinode * Hitodama * Hitotsume Kozō * Hiyoribo * Hōkō * Hone Onna * Hyōsube * Ikiryō * Inugami * Jakotsubaba * Jatai * Jorōgumo * Kamaitachi * Kamikiri * Kanedama * Kageonna * Kappa * Kasha * Katawa Guruma * Kawa Akago * Kawauso * Kazenbō * Kidōmaru * Kitsunebi * Kejoro * Kerakeraonna * Kodama * Kokuribaba * Kosamebō * Kosode no te * Kosenjo no hi * Kurozuka * Makurageishi * Mikoshi * Minobi * Momiji-gari * Momonjii * Morinji no Kama * Nekomata * Ningyo * Ninmenju * Noderabō * Nopperabo * Nuppeppō * Nurarihyon * Nureonna * Nuribotoke * Nyūnai Suzume * Obariyon * Oboro-guruma * Ōkaburo * Ōkubi * Okiku * Ōmagatoki * Oni * Onihitokuchi * Onmoraki * Osakabe * Oshiroibaba * Otoroshi * Ouni * Ōzatō * Rokurokubi * Sakabashira * Samebito * Sansei * Sarakozoe * Satori * Sesshō-seki * Seta * Shinkirō * Shirachigo * Shiranui * Shōkera * Shokuin * Shuten-dōji * Sōgenbi * Suiko * Takaonna * Tamamo-no-mae * Tanuki * Tenasobi * Tenjō-Kudari * Tengu * Tengu Tsubute * Tenome * Teratsutsuki * Tesso * Tōdaiki * Tōfu Kozō * Tsurubebi * Ubagabi * Ubume * Umibozū * Umizatō * Ushinotoki-mairi * Ushioni * Uwan * Waira * Wani * Wanyudo * Yamabiko * Yamauba * Yamawarawa * Yanari * Yukionna * Zenki and Goki

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

Yametsuhime

Yametsuhime is said to have been a kami that dwelt in the land of Yame in Tsukushi. They are mentioned by Saruohomi during the reign of Emperor Keikō when he inquired who lives in the area.

It is also said this kami gave their name to the area.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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• • Period: Legendary Period
  • Occupation: agatanushi of Minuma.
  • Family: –
  • Birth: –
  • Death: –

Saruohomi

Saruohomi was the agatanushi of Minuma, seen during the reign of Emperor Keikō.

When the Emperor arrives in Yame, Tsukushi, he asks if any kami live here.

Saruohomi comes forth saying that the kami Yametsuhime lives here, and that the area got its name from them.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: –

Asotsuhime

Asotsuhime is said to have been a kami, seen during the reign of Emperor Keikō.

In the 18th year of his reign he arrives in the land of Aso in Tsukushi, asking who lives here and Asotsuhiko and Asotsuhime come forth saying they dwell here.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: –

Asotsuhiko

Asotsuhiko is said to have been a kami, seen during the reign of Emperor Keikō.

In the 18th year of his reign he arrives in the land of Aso in Tsukushi, asking who lives here and Asotsuhiko and Asotsuhime come forth saying they dwell here.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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• • 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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Hear this tale on Episode 59 of our Podcast, the Japan Archives.

The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter

The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, in Japanese known as the Taketori Monogatari (竹取物語) is one of the famous folktales from Japan.

Synopsis

There was an old man and woman who had no child. He would go every day and cut bamboo and made a living by selling the wood.

One morning when he goes to the bamboo there is a bright light stemming from a single bamboo shoot. In the hollow of it he found a three inch tall girl and he thought she had been sent to be his child.

From that day he always found gold and precious gems in the bamboo and so he and his wife became wealthy. In only three months the girl had grown to normal height and they gave her the name of Kaguya Hime. For three days they celebrated her naming and stories of her beauty went far and wide and so many people came to try and be her suitor.

The girl never held audience with these suitors and many lost heart returning home. All except for five Samurai he continued to wait. Winter came, the suitors begged the old man to ask his daughter to allow them to see her. But as she was not truly his daughter he said he could not force her to do so and so the five Samurai returned home.

But they all returned as their heart desired her. They asked the old man to tell his daughter how they had waited out the harsh winter, waited without food, and all of the other challenges they had faced in the hopes of being allowed to see her. And so the old man agreed.

She eventually agreed to meet with them to please her father. She also decided to give each man a mission that if they could complete she would marry them.

The first mission was to bring the stone bowl that had been held by Buddha from India. The second to go to Mount Horai and bring a branch of the tree that grew on its summit. Third was to go to China and bring back the skin of the fire-rat. Fourth to find the dragon which upon its head was a stone that radiate five colours and bring her the stone. Fifth and finally was to find the swallow which carried a shell in its stomach and to bring her the shell.

The first man was too scared to go to India and so he collected a bowl from a temple in Kyoto, wrapped it in gold cloth and waited three years before returning. She thought it strange that he had returned from india so quickly and testing the bowl she discovered it to be fake.

The second man told his parents he would be travelling for his health. Eventually going somewhere where he built a house that could not be accessed from the outside. Inside resided him and six skilled jewellers which he instructed to make a silver and gold branch he thought would satisfy the requirements of the mission. When she is given the branch she again says it is strange he could return so quickly and have gotten the branch so easily and declares it a fake.

The man tried to defend himself, telling a fake tale of his journey to the mountain. However, the jewellers appears demanding they be paid and so his lie is revealed.

The third man had a friend in China and so he sent a letter asking him to send him the skin of the fire-rat. He paid his friend a lot of money and after recieving the item took it to Kaguya Hime. She tests the item, setting fire to it saying the real item would not burn. It burns infront of her and so she knows it is a fake.

The fourth man was lazy and sent all his retainers and servants to do his bidding. All of them thinking it an impossible task, merely had long holidays and made no attempt to find the item. After a year he grew desperate and taking two men hired a ship and made them set out in a storm. The storm caused the ship to crash into shore and so he returned home and made no more attempt to find the item.

The fifth man, is merely said to have failed in finding the swallow’s shell.

During all of this time stories of the girls beauty had reached the Emperor, and so he sends an Imperial messenger to see if she will come to court. She tells her father that is she is forced to do this then she will vanish from the earth. And so the Emperor decided to go and see her himself.

He enters and when she noticed the Emperor watching her she tries to hide her face. The Emperor falls in love with her immediately and asks her to come to Court. She says if she is forced to do so she will turn into a shadow and began to do so infront of the Emperor, and so he says if she stays in human form he will not force her to go.

As time passes she would spend nights watching the moon often weeping and that she was not of this Earth and perhaps would soon leave. The Emperor hearing about this sends 2,000 warriors to defend the home.

Night had almost passed and all thought the girl would stay until clouds formed around the moon and moved towards the house. A man comes forth from a chariot on a cloud saying it is time for her to return home, saying she had originally been sent to Earth as punishment.

She climbs into the chariot, her father not being allowed to join her. She is given an Elixir of Life and drinks most of it, and was about to give the rest to her father but is stopped. She asks to write to the Emperor one last time and places the remainder of the Elixir in the letter. And with that she leaves the Earth.

The Emperor receives the letter and Elixir and he sends the Elixir to Mount Fuji where it is burnt. And that is the reason why smoke rises from Mount Fuji.¹

Other Depictions in Art

Discovery of Kaguya-hime, late 17th century depiction	Heavenly beings descend, depiction c. 1650
Taketori no Okina takes Kaguya-hime to his home, painting c. 1650	Princess Kaguya returns to the Moon. 1888 print by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

Footnotes

1. Ozaki, Y.T. (2015) “Japanese Fairy Tales” USA: Cavalier Classics.

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• • 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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• • Affiliation: Shinto
  • Kami of: –
  • Family: Otanomikoto (descendant)

Sarudabiko

Sarudabiko (猿田毘古大神 / 猿田彦大神) is a Japanese kami said to be the ancestor of Otanomikoto.¹

Footnotes

1. Varley, H.P (1980) “A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns: Jinnō Shōtōki of Kitabatake Chikafusa.” New York: Columbia University Press.

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