• • 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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Shido Shogun

The Shido Shogun (四道将軍) were a group of four generals appointed by Emperor Sujin.

These were sent out by the Emperor into the surrounding territories to subdue to natives there.¹

Depending on the source, five different people are mentioned. These being Kibitsuhiko, Ohobiko, Takenumakahawake, Hikoimasu and Tambanochinushi.

Footnotes

1. Ponsonby, F. (1959) “The Imperial House of Japan.” Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society.

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• • Period: Legendary Period
  • Occupation: –
  • Family: Umashikarahisa (father)
  • Birth: –
  • Death: –

Ukatsukunu

Ukatsukunu (鸕濡渟) was the son of Umashikarahisa and is seen mentioned during the reign of Emperor Sujin.

He is entrusted alongside his father Umashikarahisa to take Sacred Treasures to Emperor Sujin after he requests to see them.

Furune (his uncle) angered by this kills Ihiirine (another uncle) as he gave them over to Ukatsukunu and his father. After the death of his uncle, he and his father make a report of this to the Emperor and he despatches Kibitsuhiko and Takenumakahawake to kill Furune.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: –
  • Family: Izumo Furune (brother) Ihiirine (brother) Ukatsukunu (son)
  • Birth: –
  • Death: –

Umashikarahisa

Umashikarahisa (甘美韓日狭) was the brother of Ihiirine and Izumo Furune seen mentioned during the reign of Emperor Sujin.

He is entrusted alongside his son Ukatsukunu to take Sacred Treasures to Emperor Sujin after he requests to see them.

Furune angered by this kills his brother Ihiirine as he gave them over to Umashikarahisa. After the death of their brother he and his son make a report of this to the Emperor and he despatches Kibitsuhiko and Takenumakahawake to kill Furune.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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• • For the member of the Imperial Family see: Irine
  • For the ancestor of the Haji Clan see: Iirine
  • Period: Legendary Period
  • Occupation: –
  • Family: Izumo Furune (brother) Umashikarahisa (brother)
  • Birth: –
  • Death: –

  Ihiirine

  Ihiirine (飯入根) was the brother of Izumo Furune and Umashikarahisa. He gives over some sacred treasures to his brother Umashikarahisa and his son Ukatsukunu so they may take them to Emperor Sujin at his request.

  His brother Izumo Furune is angered by this as the treasure are under his care, but he was not around at the time to give over the items when the Emperor made his request.

  In retaliation Furune invites him to Yamiya Pools to see the plants there. Furune places upon his back a wooden blade which looks real and after arriving at the pools takes up his brother own blade and kills him with it.

  The nihongi relates a song which was written about this event:

  The sword girt on
  By the warrior of Idzumi
  (Where many clouds arise)
  There is the sheath enwound with creepers
  But, alas! There is no blade.

  Umashikarahisa and his son Ukatsukunu then send word to the Emperor of what occoured and so he despatches Kibitsuhiko and Takenumakahawake to kill Furune.

  Due to this it was said the Omi of Idzumo did not worship Ōkuninushi for some time.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: –
  • Family: Ihiirine (brother) Umashikarahisa (brother)
  • Birth: –
  • Death: –

Izumo Furune

Izumo Furune (出雲振根) was a man who resided over the Izumo Shrine, and the Sacred Treasures there that had once been brought to earth by the kami Takehiratori.

He is said to have been in Tsukushi when Emperor Sujin sent Takemorosumi to collect these treasures so he may see them.

When Furune returns he finds out his brother Ihiirine had entrusted them to Umashikarahisa and his son Ukatsukunu to take them to the Emperor and he is angered by this.

He then decides to take Ihiirine to the Yamiya Pools to see the plants there. He places upon his back a wooden blade which looks real and after arriving at the pools takes up his brother own blade and kills him with it.

The nihongi relates a song which was written about this event:

The sword girt on
By the warrior of Idzumi
(Where many clouds arise)
There is the sheath enwound with creepers
But, alas! There is no blade.

Umashikarahisa and his son Ukatsukunu then send word to the Emperor of what occoured and so he despatches Kibitsuhiko and Takenumakahawake to kill Furune.

Due to this it was said the Omi of Idzumo did not worship Ōkuninushi for some time.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: Princess
  • Family: Takehaniyasuhiko (husband)
  • Birth: –
  • Death: –

Atabime

Atabime (吾田媛) was the wife of Takehaniyasuhiko. The nihongi relates how she and her husband led armies to attack Emperor Sujin.

Her army attacked from Ohosaka and her husband from Yamashiro Province. Her army was attacked by Kibitsuhiko where she and all her men were killed.

Prior to this Yamatotohime states she had been seen on Mount Kagu taking soil from there. Placing it in her neckerchief she turned it upside down stating that this represented the land of Yamato.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: Shido-Shogun
  • Family: –
  • Birth: –
  • Death: –

Tambanochinushi

Tambanochinushi is mentioned in the nihongi as one of the four men sent out to subdue the provinces during the 10th year of the reign of Emperor Sujin.¹ The kojiki does not make mention of him during this part of Sujin’s reign and instead replaces his name with Kibitsuhiko.²³

He is sent out to subdue Tamba Province.¹

Later in the same year he is ordered to subdue the ‘savage tribes abroad’ with Takenumakahawake, Ohobiko and Kibitsuhiko. He, alongside the others return in the 11th year to make report of their victory.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: Prince / Shido Shogun
  • Family: Emperor Kaika (father) Oketsuhime (mother) Many wives and children see below.
  • Birth: –
  • Death: –

Hikoimasu

Hikoimasu (彦坐王) was the son of Emperor Kaika and Oketsuhime.¹²³ He is additonally said to have had several wives and many children.

Family

With his first wife Yenahime he had Ohōmata, Womata and Shibumi no Sukune.

Marrying Sahonoohokuramitome he had Sahobiko, Wozaho, Sahobime and Murobiko.

His marriage to Okinaganomidzuyorihime saw five more children called Tanika no hiko Tatatsumichinoushi, Midzuhonomawaka, Kamuohone, Midzuhonoihoyorihime and Mimitsuhime.

And with his final wife Oketsuhime he had Yamashiro no Oho Tsutsuki no Mawaka, Hioosu and Irine.²³

Reign of Emperor Sujin

In the nihongi it states during the reign of his nephew Emperor Sujin he was instructed alongside Ohobiko, Takenumakahawake and Kibitsuhiko to subdue the surrounding provinces in the 10th year of his reign.

He is sent to Taniha to slay ‘Kugamimi-no-mikasa,’ though we are unsure what is meant by this. Scholars believe that this person may in fact be more than one.¹

He is not mentioned in the kojiki during this part of Sujin’s reign, and instead a man known as Tambanochinushi is included.²³

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: Prince / Shido Shogun / Five Daibu
  • Family: Ohobiko (father) Hikoinakoshiwake (brother)
  • Birth: –
  • Death: –

Takenumakahawake

Takenumakahawake (武渟川別) was the son of Ohobiko and brother of Hikoinakoshiwake. He said to be the ancestor of the Abe no Omi in the kojiki.^v

Reign of Emperor Sujin

During the reign of his cousin Emperor Sujin he is instructed with his father, Hikoimasu and Kibitsuhiko to subdue the surrounding provinces.

The nihongi says he is sent to the ‘Eastern Sea,’³ the kojiki saying he is sent to the ‘twelve circuits’ to subdue the people there in the 10th year of his reign.¹²

Takenumakahawake then meets up with Ohobiko (after the events following the war with Takehaniyasuhiko) and make report to the Emperor.

The nihongi mentions him again in the same year of the Emperors reign when he is ordered to subdue the ‘savage tribes abroad’ with Ohobiko, Kibitsuhiko and Tambanochinushi. He, alongside the others return in the 11th year to make report of their victory.

Later in the 60th year of Sujin’s reign he is sent with Kibitsuhiko to put Izumo Furune to death.³

Reign of Emperor Suinin

During the following reign, he is said to have been one of the Five Daibu alongside Hikokunifuku, Ohokashima, Tochine no Ōmuraji and Takehi. They are gathered by Emperor Suinin to talk of the wisdom of the previous Emperor.³

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

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