Wiki Category: Regions

Period: Legendary Period Occupation: Prince Family: ? Birth: – Death: – Mimorowake Mimorowake is said to have been a Prince, during the reign of Emperor Keikō. He is sent to take over the post, governing the 15 Provinces of the Tōsandō, that  Hikosajima was unable to fill. He is said[...]

First Ruler:- Final Ruler: Amago Katsuhisa Dissolution: – Parent House: Kyōgoku Family For a full list of Clans: See Japanese Clans. Amago Family The Amago Family (尼子氏) was a daimyo clan of the Sengoku Period, descended from the Kyōgoku Family.1 They resided in the Chūgoku Region.2 In 1392 Amago Mochihisa[...]

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: Legendary Period Occupation: Prince Family: Emperor Kōrei (father) Haeirode (mother) Wakatakehiko (brother) Toyoki no Mikoto (grandfather?) Birth: – Death: – Hikosajima Hikosajima (彦狭島命) was the son of Emperor Kōrei and Haeirodo12 and brother to Wakatakehiko.2 The nihongi also states he was the grandson of Toyoki no Mikoto (though I am unsure where[...]

Provincial Titles See also: Court Titles, Imperial Titles, Be, Uji, Sesshō and Kampaku This pages serves to list the various Provincial Titles used in the past and up to this day. No doubt this page will continue to be updated as we continue our research. This page may also merge[...]

Period: Asuka Period Occupation: Retainer in the Office of Crown Lands Family: Haji Clan Birth: Death: 711AD Haji no Umate Haji no Umate (馬手) was a member of the Haji Clan known to have fought in the Jinshin War during his lifetime. When the future Emperor Tenmu left to become[...]

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[...]

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[...]

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[...]

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[...]

Co-ordinates: 34°44′19″N, 139°23′58″E Region: Kantō Region Izu Ōshima Izu Ōshima (伊豆大島) is a small island off the coast of Japan. History The man known as En no Ozunu was exilled here for three years after founding the religion of Shugendo. The Emperor at the time (Monmu) saw the new religion[...]

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: 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[...]

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 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[...]

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[...]

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: – Region: Chūgoku Region Prefecture: Border of Izumo and Hahaki Province Height: – Hibayama Hibayama (Mount Spirit Court) is stated in the Kojiki to be the location of the burial mound of Izanami. Sadly, its exact location is unknown, however, it is stated to be on the border between[...]

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.[...]

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[...]

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,[...]

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[...]

For a full list of Clans: See Clans. Emishi The Emishi (蝦夷 – Eastern Barbarians), also called at time the Ezo People1, were a Clan of people living on the periphery of the Yamato borders. Some scholars believe they could be the ancestors of the Ainu.2 Historically they are known[...]

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[...]

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[...]