Wiki Category: Prefectures

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[...]

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[...]

Period: Asuka Period, Nara Period Occupation: Poet Family: – Birth: 698AD1 701AD3 Death:770AD Abe no Nakamaro Abe no Nakamaro (阿倍 仲麻呂) was a member of the Abe Clan living from 698-770AD.1 He is known to have been born in Abe, Nara Prefecture.2 During his lifetime he was both a poet[...]

See also: Provinces Tango Province Tango Province (丹後国) was one of the many provinces in Japan. It is now included in Kyoto Prefecture. The Tango Fudoki, a provincial record, was written concerning this province.1 Footnotes 1. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.[...]

Misasagi Misasagi (陵) is a term for tombs (usually kofun tombs) of the Emperors and Imperial Family up until 701AD.1 The name of misasagi for Emperors are shown below. Legendary Period [2] Emperor Suizei – Tsukidaoka – 桃花鳥田丘上陵. The location of this tomb is unknown, but it is said to[...]

Period: Azuchi-Momoyama Period, Edo Period Occupation: Sculptor Family: Birth: c.1548 Death: c.1634 Hidari Jingorō Hidari Jingorō (左 甚五郎) is said to have lived from c.1584-1634,1 and whose real name was Itami Toshikatsu.12 Born in Akashi (now Hyogo Prefecture) he was discipled to a master carpenter of the Imperial Court.2 Said[...]

Period: Muromachi Period Occupation: Painter Family: Birth: ? Death: ? Fujiwara no Gōshin Fujiwara no Gōshin (藤原 豪信?) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan living around the late 15th Century. He was born to a courtesan and a monk and became a painter of the Yamato-e style. One of[...]

First Ruler: – Final Ruler: Takeda Katusyori Dissolution: Suicide of Katsuyori in 1582. Cadet Branches: Aki, Kai, Wakasa For a full list of Japanese Clans see: Clans. Takeda Clan The Takeda Clan (武田氏) was a prominent clan and military house during the Kamakura, Muromachi and Azuchi-Momoyama Periods, taking their name[...]

Co-ordinates: 35° 48′ 25.9″ N, 138° 51′ 20.6″ E Region: Chūbu Region Prefecture: Yamanashi Prefecture Oiran Buchi Oiran Buchi (花魁淵/おいらん淵 – The Courtesan’s Abyss) is a gorge/waterfall located in Yamanashi Prefecture. The area is known from an event from around the 1570’s (Sengoku Period) involving the Takeda Clan at the time. During the Sengoku Period, to[...]

Co-ordinates: 35° 7′ 26″ N, 135° 46′ 17″ E Region: Kansai Region Prefecture: Kyoto Prefecture Height: 584 metres. Mount Kurama Mount Kurama (鞍馬山) is located towards the northern end of Kyoto and has the temple of Kuramadera upon its slopes, founded in 796AD. The mountain itself is 584 metres high[...]

Co-ordinates: 35° 3′ 36″ N, 135° 38′ 3″ E Region: Kansai Region Prefecture: Kyoto Prefecture Height: 940 metres. Mount Atago Mount Atago (愛宕山) makes up one of the Tamba Mountains and is located to the north-west of Kyoto. At a height of 924 metres the Atago Shrine can be found[...]

Itazuke Remains The Itazuke Remains is a prehistoric site dating to the late Jomon Period, located in Shizuoka Prefecture. The site contains many Jomon artifacts as well as preserved footprints of both adults and children dating to about 400BC.1 Footnotes 1. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”.[...]

Co-ordinates: 35° 4′ 0″ N, 135° 50′ 18″ E Region: Kansai Region Prefecture: Kyoto Prefecture, Shiga Prefecture Height: 848 metres. Mount Hiei Mount Hiei (比叡山) is a mountain located on the border between Kyoto and Shiga Prefectures standing at a height of 848 metres. On the eastern slope you can find the temples of Enryakuji and[...]

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[...]

Okiku Okiku (お菊)is a well known ghost in Japan. Known from the 1741 folktale by the name of Banchō Sarayashiki, she falls into the category of an Onryō (vengeful ghost) Harima Province Version Okiku was from Harima Province, working as a maid servant for the Samurai Aoyama Tessan. Tessan wanted[...]

Co-ordinates: 35°22′16″N 133°32′47″E Region: Chūgoku Region Prefecture: Tottori Prefecture Height: 1729 metres. Mount Daisan Mount Daisan (大山) resides in Tottori Prefecture and reached a height of 1729 meters is the tallest in the region. During the time the Izumo Fudoki was compiled this Mountain was called Hikami High Mountain (火神岳).[...]

Co-ordinates: – Region: Chūgoku Region Prefecture: Shimane Prefecture Height: 1126 metres. Mount Sanbe Mount Sanbe (三羝山) resides in Shimane Prefecture, and once stood in Izumo Province. The mountain rises to a height of 1126 meters above sea level. During the time the Izumo Fudoki was compiled this Mountain was called[...]

Izawajō Izawajō (胆沢城) was a Heian Period fortress built in 802 within Mutsu Province, located close to the confluence of the Izawa and Kitakami Rivers. It was here that Sakanoue no Tamuramaro transferred his headquarters (Chinjufu) to so that he could continue his attempts at subjugating the Ezo People. Today[...]

Tagajō Tagajō (多賀城) was an 8th century headquarters established to help in the wars against the Ezo People,1 constructed in 724 by Ōno no Azumahito.2 It consisted of several buildings in a walled area.1 Orignially known as Taga no ki it later became Tagajō, and is located in Shiogama City,[...]

Hitotsume Kozō Hitotsume Kozō (一つ目小僧 – One Eyed Boy) is a type of Japanese Yōkai. Should you run into this creature you will find one which has the appearance of a small child, however, they have extraordinarily long tongues and one large central eye in their forehead. They will be[...]

Co-ordinates: 35°00′48″N 135°51′10″E Region: Kansai Region Prefecture: Osaka Prefecture Founded: 593AD Affiliation: Buddhism Shitennō-ji Shitennō-ji (四天王寺) is a Buddhist Temple said to have been constrcuted by Shōtoku Taisha in thanks to the ‘four heavenly kings’ he believed who had helped him win against the Mononobe Clan. This temple is the oldest[...]

Period: Asuka Period Occupation: Religious Founder Family: Birth: 634? Death: 701? En no Ozunu En no Ozunu (役小角) lived during the Asuka Period, perhaps from 634-701AD. He was born with the name Kamo-no-e-no-kimi, but over his life he gathered many others such as En no Gyōja (役行者 En the pilgrim), Jinben[...]

Shugendō Shugendō (修験道) is a religion in Japan which is a mixture of both Buddhism and native Japanese mountain worship, historically said to have been founded by En no Ozunu upon the slopes of Mount Katsuragi, Nara Prefecture. The religion had a rather quick growth after its onset and the[...]

Co-ordinates: 35°21′29″N, 138°43′52″E Region: Chūbu Region Prefecture: Shizuoka Prefecture, Yamanashi Prefecture. Height: 3,776m Mount Fuji Mount Fuji (富士山) is the tallest mountain in Japan, reaching a height of 3,776 meters. The mountain itself has 3 subsidiary volcanoes by the names of Komitake, Ko-Fuji and Shin-Fuji. Shin-Fuji being the most active[...]

See also: Provinces Hyūga Province Hyūga Province (日向国) also known as Himuka Province1 is an old Province of Japan, located in modern day Miyazaki Prefecture.2 Legendary Period The mythical river known as the Tachibana River where Izanagi cleansed himself after visiting Yomi is said to have been located here.1 One[...]

See also: List of Provinces Hōki Province Hōki Province (伯耆国), also known as Hahaki Province1 was an old province of Japan. It is now located in modern day Tōttori Prefecture.2 The border between this Province and Izumo Province is said to be the location of the burial of the Goddess[...]

See also: List of Provinces Kai Province Kai Province (甲斐国) was once a Province of Japan, located in what is now Yamanashi Prefecture.12 Established historically during the Taika Reforms,1 it is said this area was also visited previously by Yamato Takeru when he visited from the east.2 Geographically the entire Province[...]

See also: List of Provinces Yamato Province Yamato Province (大和国) was an old Province of Japan, located in what is now Nara Prefecture.12 Inception During its inception, when the Kokugen System came into effect, it stayed as the centre of government and culture from the 4th century until 784. It[...]

See also: List of Provinces Omi Province Omi Province (近江国) was an old Province of Japan, located in what is now Shiga Prefecture.12 Location Located on the route between the four (later five) capital provinces and eastern provinces its borders came to have three important barrier stations (Seki-sho) called Arachi,[...]

See also: List of Provinces Izumo Province Izumo Province (出雲国), also known as Unshū (雲州), was an old Province of Japan, located in what is now Shimane Prefecture.1 It formed one of the eight Provinces of the San’indō.12 The Province was formed of several districts, two known as Ou and[...]

See also: List of Provinces Kaga Province Kaga Province (加賀国) was an old Province of Japan, located in what is now Ishikawa Prefecture. The area for a long period of time came under the control of the Maeda Family.1 Sakanoue no Korenori is known to have acted as Governor of[...]

See also: List of Provinces Hizen Province Hizen Province (肥前国), also known as Bizen, was an old Province of Japan, located in what is now Nagasaki and Saga Prefecture.1 Legenedary Period Legends state that the sword Orochi no Aramasa eventually came to dwell in Isonomaki in Bizen Province.2 Kamakura/Muromachi Period[...]

See also: List of Provinces Shimotsuke Province Shimotsuke Province (下野国) was an old Province of Japan, located in what is now Tochigi Prefecture.1 Fujiwara Hidesato is known to have acted as Governor of this Province.12 Footnotes 1. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.[...]

See also: List of Provinces Hida Province Hida Province (飛騨国) was an old Province of Japan, located in what is now Gifu Prefecture.1 The Yōkai known as the Satori is said to dwell in this Province.2 Footnotes 1. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University[...]

See also: List of Provinces Kii Province Kii Province (紀伊国) was an old Province of Japan, located in what is now Wakayama and Mie Prefecture.1 Legendary Period In the nihongi the kami Izanami is said to have been buried in this Province in the village of Arima.2 Yamanobe no Ohotaka[...]

See also: List of Provinces Yamashiro Province Yamashiro Province (山城国) was an old Province of Japan, located in what is now Kyoto Prefecture.1 The Shinsen Shōjiroku shows the Haji Clan dwelt in this province amongst others.3 Inception One of the 5 central (kinai) provinces, established under the Kokugun System in 646AD,[...]

Co-ordinates: 34°58′49″N 135°38′26″E Region: Kansai Region Prefecture: Kyoto Prefecture Height: 833m. Mount Ōe Mount Ōe (大枝山) can be found in Kyoto Prefecture, measuring a height of 833 metres12 and is the highest peak in the Tango Mountains.1 The mountain was said to have been the home of the Yōkai known as[...]

See also: List of Provinces Tosa Province Tosa Province  (土佐国) was an old Province of Japan, situated now in modern day Kōchi Prefecture on the Island of Shikoku.1 The kojiki states that the kami Takeyoriwake dwelt here.2 During the Heian Period, in 930AD, Ki no Tsurayuki was appointed Governor of[...]

See also: List of Provinces Mino Province Mino Province (美濃国) also known as Nōshū (濃州) was an old Province of Japan, located in what is now Gifu Prefecture. It is included as one of the eight Provinces which made up the Tōsandō Region. It is well known for its Mino[...]

For all battles on the site see: List of Battles. Period: Azuchi-Momoyama Period Date: 1578 Location: Kyushu Outcome: Defeat of Ōtomo Sōrin’s forces Battle of Mimikawa The Battle of Mimikawa occurred in 1578 on the island of Kyushu. The battle involving the forces of daimyō  Ōtomo Sōrin and his vassal Tsunokumo[...]

See also: List of Provinces Bungo Province Bungo Province (豊後国) was an old Province of Japan, located in what is now Ōita Prefecture.1 Azuchi-Momoyama Period During this period it was ruled over by the daimyō Ōtomo Sōrin, who led his warriors into a battle later known as the Battle of[...]

Co-ordinates: : 32°58′N 129°48′E Island: Kyushu Region: Kyushu Region Capital: Nagasaki See also: Iki Province, Tsushima Province, Hizen Province. See also: List of Prefectures. Nagasaki Prefecture Nagasaki Prefecture (長崎県 – Nagasaki-ken) is located on the island of Kyushu. It is bordered by the Genkai Sea and Tsushima Strait on its northern edge, by Saga[...]

Co-ordinates: 36°43′N 137°9′E Island: Honshu Region: Chūbu Capital: Toyama See also: Etchū Province. See also: List of Prefectures. Toyama Prefecture Toyama Prefecture (富山県 – Toyama-ken) is located in central Honshu, with its capital city being Toyama. It is bordered on the north by the Sea of Japan, Nagano and Niigata Prefectures on[...]

Nutari no Ki Nutari no Ki (渟足柵) was a type of Saku (fortified frontier) erected in 647AD in the old Province of Echigo, close to the city of Niigata. It’s construction was carried out to serve as an outpost for the military to continue campaigns against the Ezo People of[...]

Iwafune no Ki Iwafune no Ki (磐舟柵) also known as Iwafune no Saku was a type of ‘Saku‘ (fortified frontier) in the old Province of Echigo, modern day Niigata Prefecture, close to the city of Murakami. It was established in 648AD as part of a campaign against the Ezo tribes in[...]

Uwan The Uwan (うわん) is a type of Yōkai seen in the Gazu Hyakki Yagyō and Hyakkai Zukan. It is portrayed as a clawed creature which haunts abandoned homes, however, little is actually known about this creature. It is perhaps named after the generic word for ‘monster’ in Kagoshima and Kumamoto[...]

Gagoze The Gagoze (元興寺, also known as Gangoji) is a type of Yōkai, depicted in the Gazu Hyakki Yagyō and Hyakkai Zukan. He is a kind of bogeyman from and is still used in Tokushima Prefecture and Awaji Shima to scare crying children into being quiet. The Kanji used to[...]

Tachibana River The Tachibana River, though its modern day location is unknown, is said to have historically been located in the area known as ‘Awaki‘ in Himuka Province. Due to this it would have been located in modern day Miyazaki Prefecture. This is the river mentioned in both the Kojiki[...]

Nureonna The Nureonna (濡れ女) is a type of serpentine, female Yōkai depicted in the Gazu Hyakki Yagyō and Hyakkai Zukan. Often this creature is depicted with wet hair which is plastered against its head. However, depictions made by Toriyama Sekien show the creatures with waving hair as well as arms.[...]

Yamato Sanzan Yamato Sanzan (大和三山, Three Hillls of Yamato) are located near the city of Kashihara in Nara Prefecture, Kansai Region. These three mountains are Unebiyama, Amanokagushima and Miminashiyama. All three of them are formed of igneous rock and are mentioned in the Man’yōshū.1 Mount Unebi Co-ordinates: 34°29′32.5″N135°47′06″E Height: 199.2m Mount[...]

Co-ordinates: – Region: Chūgoku Region Prefecture: Shimane Prefecture (now), Izumo Province (historically) Ifuya Pass The Ifuya Pass (Ifuya zaka), according to the Kojiki, is located in Izumo Province. This mountain pass was said to contain the location to the entrance to Yomi known as Hirasaka and is mentioned in the[...]

Co-ordinates: 34°40′53″N 135°50′54″E Region: Kansai Prefecture: Nara Prefecture Founded: 768AD Affiliation: Shinto Kasuga Taisha Kasuga Taisha (春日大社) is a Shinto Shrine located in Nara. According to folklore, it is said to have been built with the help of the Yōkai known as the Hyōsube.1 External Links Official Shrine Website Footnotes[...]

Region: Kantō Region Prefecture: Tokyo Prefecture Affiliation: Shinto   Ōji Inari Shrine Ōji Inari Shrine (王子稲荷神社), located in Tokyo, is a Shinto Shrine associated with the Yōkai Kitsune-bi who supposedly visit the Shrine on the last day of the year and breathe fire, people watching the flames to determine the coming harvest.1[...]

Region: Kanto Prefecture: Saitama Prefecture Mangyō-ji Mangyō-ji is a Buddhist temple within Saitama Prefecture. It has links to the story called The Bell of Nodera in which the fabled bell of Nodera Temple which was hidden by the monk during times of war was rediscovered by farmers. The bell was brought[...]

Region: Kansai Region Prefecture: Kyoto Prefecture Co-ordinates: 35°0′5.76″N 135°44′36.02″E Affiliation: Buddhism Mibudera Mibudera (壬生寺) is a Buddhist Temple. The temple is related to the Yōkai spirit called Sōgen-bi, who was once known as the monk Sōgen. The monk is said to have stolen money offerings and lamp oil left at[...]

Region: Kansai Region Prefecture: Nara Prefecture Co-ordinates: 34°36′51″N 135°44′03″ Founded: 607AD Affiliation: Buddhism Horyu-ji Horyu-ji (法隆寺) is a Buddhist Temple constructed under the orders of Shōtoku Taisha. The Yumedono (Pavillion of Dreams) here is reputed as the place where he had prophetic dreams.1 The original form of the document known[...]

Co-ordinates: 34°40′12″N 135°39′2.5″ Region: Kansai Region Prefecture: Osaka Prefecture Founded: Affiliation: Shinto Hiraoka Shrine Hiraoka Shrine (枚岡神社) is a Shinto shrine with links to the Yōkai spirit called the Ubagabi. The creature is said to have been a fireball, though looked like an old woman, who had a habit of[...]

Region: Kansai Region Prefecture: Osaka Prefecture Naniwa Naniwa (難波京) was an Ancient Capital of Japan. It is stated the Emperor Nintoku had a Palace here, which was repaired after a three-year period when he lessened the taxes of his people causing his Palace to fall into disrepair.1 It later became[...]

Co-ordinates: Region: Chūbu Region Prefecture: Aichi Prefecture Founded: Affiliation: Shinto Atsuta Shrine The Atsuta Shrine (熱田神宮) is a Shinto Shrine located in Nagoya. Legendary Period In the 51st year of Emperor Keikō’s reign the Sacred Sword kusanagi was enshrined here.1 Footnotes 1. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of[...]

Co-ordinates: N/A (Mythical) Region: Kansai Region Prefecture: Shiga Prefecture The Dragon King’s Palace The Dragon King’s Palace (龍宮城) is the home of The Dragon King, located at the bottom of Lake Biwa. It is noted in the Folktale My Lord Bag of Rice that it is ‘beautiful’ and ‘built of[...]

Co-ordinates: 35.0503°N 136.0378°E Region: Kansai Region Prefecture: Shiga Prefecture Height: 432 m. Mount Mikami Mount Mikami (三上山) is a mountain within Shiga Prefecture. It is mentioned as the home of The Giant Centipede Seta in the Japanese Folktale My Lord Bag of Rice where Fujiwara Hidesato kills the Giant Centipede[...]

Co-ordinates: 35°20′N 136°10′E Region: Kansai Region Prefecture: Shiga Prefecture Depth: 104 metres. Lake Biwa Lake Biwa (琵琶湖) is a lake within Shiga Prefecture. The Seta-no-Karashi Bridge is built on the lake.1 According to Buddhist tradition, Mount Fuji rose from the earth in 286 BC after an earthquake that also created[...]

Co-ordinates: Region: Kansai Region Prefecture: Shiga Prefecture Seta no Karashi Bridge Seta no Karashi Bridge is a bridge over Lake Biwa. It is featured in the Japanese Folktale My Lord Bag of Rice where Fujiwara Hidesato walks over the body of a dragon lying asleep across it who later reveals[...]

Region: Kansai Region Prefecture: Shiga Prefecture Co-ordinates: 35°1′N 135°51′E Ōtsu Ōtsu (大津市) is a city in Shiga Prefecture. Legendary Period It is stated that close to this city Yamato Takeru died after falling ill from a hailstorm unleashed upon him by the kami of Mount Ibuki.1 Footnotes 1. Littleton. C.S.[...]

Co-ordinates: 35°25′04″N 136°24′22″E Region: Kansai Region, Chubu Region Prefecture: Gifu Prefecture, Shiga Prefecture Height: 1,377m Mount Ibuki Mount Ibuki (伊吹山) is located in both Gifu and Shiga Prefectures. Legendary Period It is the apparent mountain Yamato Takeru visited in the hopes of killing barehanded the kami that dwelt upon it.[...]

Co-ordinates: 35°07′N 139°23′E Sagami Bay Sagami Bay (相模湾) is a stretch of water lying to the south of Kanagawa Prefecture. Legendary Period The Bay is mentioned during the exploits of Yamato Takeru when he sails across it to subdue the Emishi. Crossing the bay a kami living in the water[...]

See also: List of Provinces Owari Province Owari Province (尾張国) was once a Province of Japan, located in what is now Aichi Prefecture. Created in 646 under the Kokugun System3, it is one of the 15 Provinces traversed by the Tokaido Road.13 This Province is also known as Bishū (尾州).3[...]

Coordinates: 33°55′N 132°14′E Region: Chugoku Region Prefecture: Yamaguchi Prefecture Yashiro Island Yashiro Island is an island often attributed to being Ōshima island in the kojiki and Ohoshima in the nihongi. Ōshima (大島 – Great Isle) was, according to the kojiki, the third island born after the Great Land of Eightfold[...]

See also: List of Provinces Etchū Province Etchū Province (越中国) was an old Province of Japan, located in what is now Toyama Prefecture. Legendary Period It is mentioned in the Nihongi alongside that of Echigo Province and Echizen Province. However, they are grouped together and given the name of Koshi.[...]

See also: List of Provinces Echizen Province Echizen Province (越前国) was an old Province of Japan, located in what is now Fukui Prefecture.1 Legendary Period It is mentioned in the Nihongi alongside that of Echigo Province and Etchu Province. However, they are grouped together and given the name of Koshi. Koshi[...]

See also: List of Provinces Echigo Province Echigo Province (越後国) was an old Province of Japan, located in what is now Niigata Prefecture, established in the early 8th Century.1 The folktale called The Mirror of Matsuyama is set in this province.4 Legendary Period It is mentioned in the nihongi alongside[...]

Co-ordinates: 38°1′N 138°22′E Region: Chūbu Region Prefecture: Niigata Prefecture Sado Island Sado Island (佐渡ヶ島, Marsh Paddy Isle) was, according to the Kojiki, the seventh island born after the Great Land of Eightfold Isles.1 The Nihongi also has this island as one of original Eightfold Isles. Though differs in saying it[...]

Co-ordinates: 36°10′16.1″N 133°8′40.8″E Region: Chūgoku Region Prefecture: Shimane Prefecture Okigashima Okigashima (隠岐の島, Isles in the Offing/Oki Islands) is a small archipelago off the coast of Honshu.1 According to the kojiki this island is the third of the Great Land of Eightfold Isles to have been born by Izanami and Izanagi,[...]

Affiliation: Shinto Kami of: Tsukushi Family: Toyohiwake (brother), Takehiwake (brother), Takehimukaitoyokujihinewake (brother) Shirahiwake Shirahiwake (白日別 – Lord Bright Son) was one of the four kami of Tsukushi according to the Kojiki, residing in the Northern part of the island called Tsukushi. He is noted to have a shrine in Fukuoka[...]

Co-ordinates: 33°N 131°E Prefectures: Fukuoka Prefecture, Kagoshima Prefecture, Kumamoto Prefecture, Miyazaki Prefecture, Nagasaki Prefecture, Oita Prefecture, Okinawa Prefecture, Saga Prefecture Kyushu Kyushu (九州, Nine Provinces) also called Tsukushi (筑紫島, Lands End) in the kojiki and nihongi is one of the four main islands of Japan, the islands older name of[...]

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[...]

Co-ordinates: 35°04′14″N 135°50′28″E Region: Kansai Region Prefecture: Shiga Prefecture Founded: 788AD Affiliation: Buddhism Enryaku-ji Enryaku-ji (延暦寺) is a Buddhist Temple overlooking Kyoto. The temple itself is build upon Mount Hiei, situated in the old Province of Omi. Built during the Heian Period, the temple gained control of many estate lands[...]

Co-ordinates: 35°00′48″N 135°51′10″E Region: Kansai Region Prefecture: Shiga Prefecture Founded: 672AD Affiliation: Buddhism Miidera (三井寺,御井寺) is a Buddhist Temple located close to Lake Biwa in Otsu city. Folktales It is mentioned in the Japanese Folktale My Lord Bag of Rice. According to the story, Fujiwara Hidesato donated a bell to[...]

Co-ordinates: – Region: Chugoku Region Prefecture: Okayama Prefecture Kibi no Ko Kibi no Ko (吉備児島, Little Isle of Broomcorn Millet) was, according to the kojiki, the first island born after the Great Land of Eightfold Isles, inhabited by the kami Takehikatawake. It is a peninsula, and was once a major[...]

Co-ordinates: 34°31′N 135°48′E Region: Kansai Region Prefecture: Nara Prefecture Kashihara Kashihara (橿原市) is located within the modern day Nara Prefecture (Ancient Yamato). Historically the city is seen as the place where the first Emperor Jimmu descended to earth on the 11th February 660BC and began his rule in Japan.1 Footnotes[...]

See also: List of Provinces Mutsu Province Mutsu Province (陸奥国) is one of the many old Provinces of Japan. Originally known as Michinoku (陸奥 or 道奥) it was also known as Ōshu (奥州) or Rikushū and is categorized as one of the eight Tōsandō (Eastern Mountain Road) Provinces.12 The Province[...]

See also: List of Provinces Co-ordinates: 34°25′N 129°20′E Region: Kyushu Prefecture: Nagasaki Prefecture Tsushima Creation Tsushima (Port Isle, 対馬) was the sixth of the Great Land of Eightfold Isles to have been born by Izanami and Izanagi, inhabited by the kami Amenosadeyorihime. It acted as an important harbour between Kyushu and[...]

Co-ordinates: 34°30′49″N 134°17′08″E Region: Shikoku Prefecture: Kagawa Prefecture Shōdoshima Shōdoshima (小豆島) was historically known as Azuki-shima (Read Bean Isle) and was, according to the kojiki, the second island born after the Great Land of Eightfold Isles, inhabited by the kami Ōnodehime. This island is located between Shikoku and the western[...]

Co-ordinates: 33°45′N 133°30′E Prefecture: Ehime Prefecture, Kagawa Prefecture, Kochi Prefecture, Tokushima Prefecture. Shikoku Shikoku (四国, Four Provinces) also historically called Iyo (伊予, Land of Groves) in the kojiki and nihongi is one of the four main islands of Japan. Mythical Creation According to both the kojiki and the nihongi this[...]

Co-ordinates: – Region: Kyushu Prefecture: Nagasaki Prefecture Futagonoshima Futagonoshima (両児島 – Twin Isles) was, according to the kojiki, the sixth and final island born after the Great Land of Eightfold Isles, inhabited by the kami Amefutaya. Located south of the Gotō Peninsula, it is now encompassed into Nagasaki Prefecture.1 The[...]

See also: List of Provinces Co-ordinates: 33°47′N 129°43′E Region: Kyushu Prefecture: Nagasaki Prefecture Ikinoshima Creation Ikinoshima (壱岐島, Onward Isle) was the fifth of the Great Land of Eightfold Isles to have been born by Izanami and Izanagi, inhabited by the kami Amehitotsubashira. It is a large island of the N.W coast[...]

Co-ordinates: 34°23′N 134°50′E Region: Kansai Region Prefecture: Hyōgo Prefecture Awaji Shima Awaji Shima (淡路島, Foamway Isle) is one of the many islands of Japan. Mythological Origins It was the first of the Great Land of Eightfold Isles created by Izanami and Izanagi, inhabited by the kami Awajinohonosawake according to the[...]

Tengu The Tengu (天狗) are a type of Yōkai depicted as a type of Raven in the Gazu Hyakki Yagyō. They have deep associations with the Shugendō Religion, seen as guardians of Mountains and some legends state that martial artists such as Miyamoto no Yoshitsune learned their tricks from these[...]

Region: Tohoku Region Prefecture: Fukushima Prefecture Co-ordinates: 37°36′26.4″N 140°27′40.5″E Adachi Adachi (安達) is a village located within Fukushima Prefecture. Historically, it was located within Mutsu Province. A 10th Century document entitled the Yamato Monogatari mentions the village within a poem, stating it is the home of the Yōkai known as[...]