Mount Mimoro Archives • . A History . . of Japan . 日本歴史 https://historyofjapan.co.uk/wiki_cats/mount-mimoro/ Fri, 30 Aug 2024 12:57:49 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.2 https://i0.wp.com/historyofjapan.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/cropped-TairaClan-1.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Mount Mimoro Archives • . A History . . of Japan . 日本歴史 https://historyofjapan.co.uk/wiki_cats/mount-mimoro/ 32 32 146592828 Mount Miwa https://historyofjapan.co.uk/wiki/mount-miwa/ Sun, 19 Feb 2023 05:49:14 +0000 https://historyofjapan.co.uk/?post_type=yada_wiki&p=38548 Co-ordinates: 34° 32′ 6″ N, 135° 52′ 0″ E Region: Kansai Region Prefecture: Nara Prefecture Height: 467.1m Mount Miwa Mount Miwa (三輪山, Miwa-yama) also known as Mount Mimoro (三諸山, Mimoro-yama) is a mountain located in Nara Prefecture. Name Notation in the kojiki says that tname ‘Mi wa’ comes from the three twists of hemp from the tale relating to Ikutamayoribime (see below). […]

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Mount Miwa

Mount Miwa

Mount Miwa (三輪山, Miwa-yama) also known as Mount Mimoro (三諸山, Mimoro-yama) is a mountain located in Nara Prefecture.

Name

Notation in the kojiki says that tname ‘Mi wa’ comes from the three twists of hemp from the tale relating to Ikutamayoribime (see below). Three threads in Japanese is pronounced ‘Mi wa’.23

Time of the kami

Before the first emperor, Ōkuninushi built for Ōmiwa a shrine upon this mountain as thanks for Ōmiwa acting as his guardian kami as he pacified the land of Japan.1

Ikutamayoribime became pregnant and her parents believe she had done this by herself, however after saying she had not they devised a way to find out who the father was. They instructed her to sprinkle red earth infront of the couch and pass a skien of hemp through a needle and to piece the skirt of a garment.

In the morning, three twist of hemp remained, and the needle pointed towards the way the kami had entered and left her home. And so following the needle the ended up on Mount Miwa finding Ōkuninushi there.23

Plague during Emperor Sujin

During this Emperor’s reign there was a plague, and so after divination he was instructed by Ōkuninushi to place Ohotataneko as head of his shrine upon this mountain to abate the plague.123

In the 48th year of his reign, he orders his sons Toyokiiribiko and Ikume to have a divine dream as he does not known who to choose as sucessor. Toyokiiribiko dreams he faces east of Mount Mimoro, flourishing a spear eight times and swinging a sword eight times. Ikume says he stood atop Mount Mimoro and placed a cord around all four corners of the land to drive away sparrows eating grain.

And so it is decided that Toyokiiribiko will rule over the Eastern land and Ikume was made crown prince.1

Emishi

During the reign of Emperor Keikō the Emishi were sent here to live for some time after the had been captured by Yamato Takeru.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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]]> 38548 Ohotataneko https://historyofjapan.co.uk/wiki/ohotataneko/ Fri, 17 Feb 2023 16:37:26 +0000 https://historyofjapan.co.uk/?post_type=yada_wiki&p=38512 Period: Legendary Period Occupation: Shinto Priest Family: Ōkuninushi (ancestor) See ancestry below Birth: – Death: – Ohotataneko Ohotataneko (大田田根子) was a man who later became a prominent Shinto Priest in his lifetime do to the intervention of the kami Ōkuninushi. Ancestry The nihongi states that he is the son of Ōkuninushi and Ikutamayoribime.1 However the kojiki […]

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]]> Ohotataneko

    • Period: Legendary Period
    • Occupation: Shinto Priest
    • Family: Ōkuninushi (ancestor) See ancestry below
    • Birth: –
    • Death: –

Ohotataneko

Ohotataneko (大田田根子) was a man who later became a prominent Shinto Priest in his lifetime do to the intervention of the kami Ōkuninushi.

Ancestry

The nihongi states that he is the son of Ōkuninushi and Ikutamayoribime.1

However the kojiki says he is instead a descendant of Ōkuninushi. It states he was the child of Takemikadzuchi, who was a child of Ihigatasumi, who in turn was the child of Kushimigata. And it was this person who was a child of Ōkuninushi and Ikutamayoribime.23

Ohotataneko is listed as the ancestor of the Miwa no kimi123 and Kamo no kimi.23

Reign of Emperor Sujin

During the reign of Emperor Sujin a plague ravaged the country. After communing with Ōkuninushi he was told if he located Ohotataneko and had him made chief of his shrine the plague would dissapate. He was found in Minu of Kahuchi and was then placed as chief of his shrine of Mount Mimoro. This is how the tale goes in the kojiki.23

In the nihongi the Emperor is told to find this man, with
Yamatototokamiasachihara maguhashihime and Ohominakuchino Sukune also having a dream saying he had be made head of the kami’s shrine. He also then found in Siyu, Idzumi.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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Ohotataneko

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]]> 38512 Toyokiiribiko https://historyofjapan.co.uk/wiki/toyokiiribiko/ Wed, 15 Feb 2023 13:44:19 +0000 https://historyofjapan.co.uk/?post_type=yada_wiki&p=38408 Period: Legendary Period Occupation: Princes Family: Emperor Sujin (father) Tohotsunoayumemekuhashi (mother) Toyosukiiribime (sister) Birth: – Death: – Toyokiiribiko Toyokiiribiko (豊城入彦命) was the son of Emperor Sujin and Tohotsunoayumemekuhashi.123 He is said to be the ancestor of the Kamitsuke no kimi and Shimotsuke no kimi.123 In the 48th year of his father reign, he orders his sons Toyokiiribiko […]

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Crest of the Imperial Chrysanthemum Throne.

Toyokiiribiko

Toyokiiribiko (豊城入彦命) was the son of Emperor Sujin and Tohotsunoayumemekuhashi.123

He is said to be the ancestor of the Kamitsuke no kimi and Shimotsuke no kimi.123

In the 48th year of his father reign, he orders his sons Toyokiiribiko and Ikume (Emperor Suinin) to have a divine dream as he does not known who to choose as sucessor. Toyokiiribiko dreams he faces east of Mount Mimoro, flourishing a spear eight times and swinging a sword eight times. Ikume says he stood atop Mount Mimoro and placed a cord around  all four corners of the land to drive away sparrows eating grain.

And so it is decided that Toyokiiribiko will rule over the Eastern land and Ikume was made crown prince.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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]]> 38408 Awa Province https://historyofjapan.co.uk/wiki/awa-province/ Thu, 29 Dec 2022 13:49:17 +0000 https://historyofjapan.co.uk/?post_type=yada_wiki&p=36854 See also: List of Provinces Awa Province Awa Province (阿波国) was one of the many provinces of Japan. According to the kojiki the kami Ōgetsuhime dwelt here.1 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 […]

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]]> Awa Province

Awa Province

Awa Province (阿波国) was one of the many provinces of Japan.

According to the kojiki the kami Ōgetsuhime dwelt here.1

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.2

The Emperor later visits here when he wished to see the lands subdued by Yamato Takeru.2

Footnotes

1. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
2. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.
Former Provinces of Japan
KinaiIzumi * Kawachi * Settsu * Yamashiro * Yamato
Tōsandō Dewa * Hida * Kōzuke * Mino * Mutsu * Omi * Shimotsuke * Shinano
HokurikudōEchigo * Echizen * Etchū * Kaga * Koshi * Wakasa
San’indōHōki * Inaba * Izumo * Tajima * Tamba * Tango
TōkaidōIse * Kai * Kazusa * Mikawa * Owari * Sagami * Shimōsa * Suruga * Tōtōmi
NankaidōAwa * Iyo * Kii * Sanuki * Tosa
San’yōdōAki * Harima * Mimasaka
SaikaidaōBungo * Chikuzen * Hizen * Hyūga * Iki * Tsushima
Pre-Taihō CodeKibi

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]]> 36854 Iyo Province https://historyofjapan.co.uk/wiki/iyo-province/ Thu, 29 Dec 2022 13:13:55 +0000 https://historyofjapan.co.uk/?post_type=yada_wiki&p=36834 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 […]

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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
KinaiIzumi * Kawachi * Settsu * Yamashiro * Yamato
Tōsandō Dewa * Hida * Kōzuke * Mino * Mutsu * Omi * Shimotsuke * Shinano
HokurikudōEchigo * Echizen * Etchū * Kaga * Koshi * Wakasa
San’indōHōki * Inaba * Izumo * Tajima * Tamba * Tango
TōkaidōIse * Kai * Kazusa * Mikawa * Owari * Sagami * Shimōsa * Suruga * Tōtōmi
NankaidōAwa * Iyo * Kii * Sanuki * Tosa
San’yōdōAki * Harima * Mimasaka
SaikaidaōBungo * Chikuzen * Hizen * Hyūga * Iki * Tsushima
Pre-Taihō CodeKibi

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]]> 36834 Sanuki Province https://historyofjapan.co.uk/wiki/sanuki-province/ Wed, 28 Dec 2022 15:15:11 +0000 https://historyofjapan.co.uk/?post_type=yada_wiki&p=36825 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 […]

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]]> Sanuki Province

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
KinaiIzumi * Kawachi * Settsu * Yamashiro * Yamato
Tōsandō Dewa * Hida * Kōzuke * Mino * Mutsu * Omi * Shimotsuke * Shinano
HokurikudōEchigo * Echizen * Etchū * Kaga * Koshi * Wakasa
San’indōHōki * Inaba * Izumo * Tajima * Tamba * Tango
TōkaidōIse * Kai * Kazusa * Mikawa * Owari * Sagami * Shimōsa * Suruga * Tōtōmi
NankaidōAwa * Iyo * Kii * Sanuki * Tosa
San’yōdōAki * Harima * Mimasaka
SaikaidaōBungo * Chikuzen * Hizen * Hyūga * Iki * Tsushima
Pre-Taihō CodeKibi

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]]> 36825 Aki Province https://historyofjapan.co.uk/wiki/aki-province/ Tue, 06 Dec 2022 13:30:50 +0000 https://historyofjapan.co.uk/?post_type=yada_wiki&p=36680 See also: Provinces 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 […]

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See also: Provinces

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
KinaiIzumi * Kawachi * Settsu * Yamashiro * Yamato
Tōsandō Dewa * Hida * Kōzuke * Mino * Mutsu * Omi * Shimotsuke * Shinano
HokurikudōEchigo * Echizen * Etchū * Kaga * Koshi * Wakasa
San’indōHōki * Inaba * Izumo * Tajima * Tamba * Tango
TōkaidōIse * Kai * Kazusa * Mikawa * Owari * Sagami * Shimōsa * Suruga * Tōtōmi
NankaidōAwa * Iyo * Kii * Sanuki * Tosa
San’yōdōAki * Harima * Mimasaka
SaikaidaōBungo * Chikuzen * Hizen * Hyūga * Iki * Tsushima
Pre-Taihō CodeKibi

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]]> 36680 Yamatotohime https://historyofjapan.co.uk/wiki/yamatotohime/ Fri, 21 Oct 2022 13:53:31 +0000 https://historyofjapan.co.uk/?post_type=yada_wiki&p=34139 Period: Legendary Period Occupation: Princess Family: Emperor Kōgen (father) Uchishikome (mother) Emperor Kaika (brother) Ohobiko (brother) Birth: – Death: – Yamatotohime Yamatotohime (倭迹迹姫命) was the daughter of Emperor Kōgen and Uchishikome and so was the sister of Ohobiko and Emperor Kaika. She is also given the name of Yamatotohimomosobime1. She does not appear to be mentioned in […]

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]]> Yamatotohime
Crest of the Imperial Chrysanthemum Throne.

Yamatotohime

Yamatotohime (倭迹迹姫命) was the daughter of Emperor Kōgen and Uchishikome and so was the sister of Ohobiko and Emperor Kaika. She is also given the name of Yamatotohimomosobime1. She does not appear to be mentioned in the kojiki.2

War with Takehaniyasu

When Ohobiko makes report to Emperor Sujin of a song he heard being sung by a woman he came across Yamatotohime deduces the song means that Takehaniyasuhiko means to attack the Emperor. She also believes further proof of this was that she saw his wife Atabime taking soil from Mount Kagu. Taking the soil, she placed it in her neckerchief and turned it over stating that it resembled the land of Yamato.1

Marriage and Death

After the events of this war it is said she weds the kami Ōkuninushi. Never having seen his face as he only came at night, she asks him to show himself to her. He agrees, but says he will do so by hiding in her toilet bag.

In the morning when she opens it she finds a small snake inside and became startled. The kami embarassed she was fearful of him leaves her and returns to his home on Mount Mimoro. Saddened by this she kills herself by stabbing herself with chopsticks in her genitals.

She is then buried in Ohochi, her tomb coming to be known as Hashi no Haka (The Chopstick Tomb), a tomb which was built by men in the day time and the kami in the night. A song it also said to have been sung as it was built which went as follows:

If one passed from hand to hand
The rock
Built up
On Ohosaka
How hard twould be to send them!1

Footnotes

1. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.
2. Chamberlain, B. H. (1932) “Translation of the Kojiki.” Kobe: J.L. Thompson & Co.

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]]> 34139 Ōmiwa https://historyofjapan.co.uk/wiki/omiwa/ Fri, 27 Aug 2021 07:04:05 +0000 https://historyofjapan.co.uk/?post_type=yada_wiki&p=27444 Affiliation: Shinto Kami of: Family: Himetatara Isuzuhime (daughter) Kimi of Kamo (descendants) Kimi of Ōmiwa (descendants) Ōmiwa Ōmiwa is a Shinto kami seen mentioned in the Nihongi. He is said to be the ancestor of the Kimi of Kamo and Kimi of Ōmiwa. His daughter was Himetatara Isuzuhime. He is seen coming from the ocean […]

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]]> Ōmiwa

Ōmiwa

Ōmiwa is a Shinto kami seen mentioned in the Nihongi. He is said to be the ancestor of the Kimi of Kamo and Kimi of Ōmiwa. His daughter was Himetatara Isuzuhime.

He is seen coming from the ocean after Ōkuninushi asks if someone can help him govern Japan. The kami comes forth saying it would not have been possible for him to subdue and govern Japan if not for him as he is his guardian kami.

In thanks, Ōkuninushi asks where this kami wishes to now live, and builds for him a shrine on Mount Mimoro in 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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]]> 27444 Ōkuninushi https://historyofjapan.co.uk/wiki/okuninushi/ Fri, 27 Aug 2021 05:42:12 +0000 https://historyofjapan.co.uk/?post_type=yada_wiki&p=27428 Affiliation: Shinto Kami of: Family: Amenofuyukinu (father) Sashikuniwakahime (mother) Susano-o (ancestor) Yamatotohime (wife) Ikutamayoribime (wife) Kushimigata (son) Ohotataneko (descendant) Ōkuninushi Ōkuninushi (大国主神 – Great Land Master1) is a Shinto kami. Family The kojiki states he is the son of Amenofuyukinu and Sashikuniwakahime, due to this he is a decendant of Susano-o.1 The nihongi list several alternative […]

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Hear about Ōkuninushi on Episode 62 of our Podcast, the Japan Archives.

Ōkuninushi
Ōkuninushi and Sukunabikona

Ōkuninushi

Ōkuninushi (大国主神 – Great Land Master1) is a Shinto kami.

Family

The kojiki states he is the son of Amenofuyukinu and Sashikuniwakahime, due to this he is a decendant of Susano-o.1

The nihongi list several alternative narratives for Ōkuninushi. In one it states he is the son of Susano-o, which is contracted by the kojiki and other alternative narratives in the nihongi.

Another version states he had in total, 181 children.2

Ohotataneko is said to be his son through Ikutamayoribime in the nihongi.2 However, the kojiki says he is his decendant through Ikutamayoribime and their child Kushimigata.1

Work with Sukunabikona

During his life he worked with Sukunabikona and together they made the ‘sub-celestial world.’ They also determined how to heal the diseases of man, how to protect against calamity from birds and creeping things. After all of this work Ōkuninushi stepped back to ask if the country they had made is well formed; to this Sukunabikona states some areas are complete, but there are areas of Japan still to finish. After this Suknabikona heads to Cape Kumano and leaves Ōkuninushi to head to the land of Tokoyo. Ōkuninushi then travels around Japan to find the areas still to be completed.

Finally finished he declares he will govern over all the land, asking if there was one who could govern with him. The kami Ōmiwa apears from the sea that he had been helping him all this time. If not for him he could not have subdued the land as he was Ōkuninushi’s guardian kami. After leaving the ocean Ōkuninushi asks where his guardian kami wished to live, and so he makes for him a shrine on Mount Mimoro in Yamato.2

A different version tells of how Ōkuninushi was pacifying the land in Obama in Isasa, Izumo Province. Here he came across a dwarf who came from the sea dressed in wren feathers. Ōkuninushi takes the small kami into his hand only to see them jump up to bite him on the cheek. He goes up to Heaven to ask about this event, Takamimusuhi saying this kami was Sukunabikona; his wicked child who would not follow instructions.2

Plague during Emperor Sujin’s Reign

Emperor Sujin

During the reign of Emperor Sujin there was a plague and so the Emperor communed with the Miwa no Ohomonomishu (Ōkuninushi)

The tale then differs depending on the kojiki or nihongi.

In the kojiki the kami says that if he appoints Ohotataneko as chief of his shrine then the plague will pass, after having this man found and finding out he was a descendant of Ōkuninushi he is made High Prirest of this kami on Mount Mimoro.1

In the nihongi the kami says if were worshipped correctly then the plague would pass. This did not happen and so after being contacted again he is told to locate Ohotataneko and make him head of his shrine. This would cause the plague to abate but would also make the lands over the sea give submission.

Two people known as Yamatototokamiasachihara maguhashihime and Ohominakuchino Sukune then have a dream saying that placing Ohotataneko as head priest of Ohomonomushi and Ichishinonagaochi as head priest of Ohokunidama would lead to peace. (Both of these kami names are names for Ōkuninushi)

Ohotataneko is found and he relates how he is the son of Ōkuninushi.2

Marriage to Yamatotohime

After the war against Takehaniyasuhiko in the reign of Emperor Sujin it is said Yamatotohime became married to him.

He never showed himself to her during the day, only coming at night. And so she asked to see him in the day time. He said he would do so and that he will for her in the morning in her toilet case. Shen she opens it in the morning she finds a small snake and is startled. Ōkuninushi becomes ashamed and so leaves for Mount Mimoro. Yamatotohime saddened that he had left her, she kills herself with chopsticks by stabbing herself in the genitals.2

Reign of Emperor Suinin

Emperor Suinin

During his reign it is revealed Ōkuninushi is the reason why his son Homutsuwake cannot speak. If the prince pays reverence to him at his shrine and also builds him a shrine in the style of the Emperors home he would give him the ability to speak again. Once he had prayed to the kami he could speak.

And so Unakami was sent to build the desired shrine for the kami.1

Other Names

This kami has many alternative names used throughout the Kojiki and the Nihongi. These are detailed below with an explanation associated with their meaning if we have one.

  • Ōanamuji (大穴牟遅神 – Great Iron Mines Noble)  – This refers to mines between the realm of humans and the underworld. The Engi Rites list shrines for this kami across Honshu.1
  • Ōnamochi (大己貴神 – Great Name Bearer1)
  • Ohokunidama2
  • Ashiharashikoo (葦原色許男, 葦原醜男 – Grim Man of the Reed Plains) A deregetory name given by Susano-o. This name also seen in Fudoki, when Amenohihoko wrests land from him in Harima. The shiko element (grim, ugly, foul) can refer to defilement from the underworld, but can also express respectful ackowlegement of anothers power and authority.1
  • Miwa no Ohomonomishu2
  • Yachihoko (八千矛神, 八千戈神 – Eight Thousand Spears) Name relates to the iron he possesses.1
  • Utsushikunitama (宇都志国玉神, 顕国玉神 – Daylight Land Soul) – Refers to land beyond the mouth of mines leading to the underworld.1

Footnotes

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

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