• • Period: Legendary Period
  • Occupation: Prince / Shido Shogun
  • Family: Emperor Kōrei (father) Yamatonokunikahime (mother) Yamatototowakayabime (sister) Yamatototohimomosobime (sister) Hikosashikatawake (brother)
  • Birth: –
  • Death: –

Kibitsuhiko

Kibitsuhiko (吉備津彦命) was the son of Emperor Kōrei and Yamatonokunikahime. He was the brother of Yamatototohimomosobime, Yamatototowakayabime¹² and Hikosashikatawake.¹

In the kojiki he is given an alternative name of Hikoisaseribiko and is stated to be the ancestor of the Grandess of Kamutsumichi in Kibi.¹

In the pages of the kojiki it also states that with his half-brother Wakatakehiko they laid sacred jars on the River Hi in Harima. After this they went to subdue and pacify the area of Harima.¹

Reign of Emperor Sujin

We see Kibitsuhiko mentioned in the nihongi during the reign of Emperor Sujin (a dsitant relative of Kibitsuhiko).

Alongside Hikoimasu, Takenumakahawake and Ohobiko he is sent out to subdue the surrounding provinces in the 10th year of his reign. Kibitsuhiko is sent to the ‘Western Road.’

During the war against Takehaniyasuhiko in the same year of his reign. He is sent to intercept the forces of Atahime whom he defeats. Killing her and her men.

Later in the same year he is ordered to subdue the ‘savage tribes abroad’ with Takenumakahawake, Ohobiko and Tambanochinushi. He, alongside the others return in the 11th year to make report of their victory.

He is mentioned one more time in the 60th year of his reign when he is sent with Kibitsuhiko to put Izumo Furune to death.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.

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• 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 it fits into the geneologies we have built on the webiste so far.)¹

In the kojiki his name differs slightly to the nihongi where he is called Hikosamame.²

He is listed as the Ancestor of the Grandess of Uzhika in Harima.³

In the 54th year of Emperor Keikō’s reign, Hikosajima was sent to govern the 15 Provinces of the Tōsandō, arriving at the village of Anashi in Kasuga he falls ill and dies, being buried in Kōzuke Province.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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Wakatakehiko (Emperor Kōrei)

• Period: Legendary Period
• Occupation: Prince
• Family: Emperor Kōrei (father) Haeirode (mother) Hikosajima (brother) Harima no Inabi no Ōiratsume (daughter)
• Birth: –
• Death: –

Wakatakehiko (稚武彦命) was the son of Emperor Kōrei and Haeirodo¹² and brother of Hikosajima.² He is also said to have been the father of Harima no Inabi no Ōiratsume.⁴

He is listed as the ancestor to the Kibi no Omi¹ more specifically the ancestor to the Shimotsumichi in Kibi and the Grandess of Kasa.³

In the pages of the kojiki it is said that with his half-brother Kibitsuhiko they laid sacred jars on the River Hi in Harima. After this they went to subdue and pacify the area of Harima.²

Wakatakehiko (Yamato Takeru)

• Period: Legendary Period
• Occupation: Prince
• Family: Yamato Takeru (father) Ototachibanahime (mother)
• Birth: –
• Death: –

Wakatakehiko (稚武彦王) was the son of Yamato Takeru and Ototachibanahime.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.
4. Ponsonby, F. (1959) “The Imperial House of Japan.” Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society.

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• Period: Legendary Period
• Occupation: Concubine
• Family: Emperor Kōrei (husband) Wakatakehiko (son) Hikosajima (son) Princess Are (sister)
• Birth: –
• Death: –

Haeirodo

Haeirodo (絙某弟) was one of the concubines of Emperor Kōrei. She is said to have been the mother of Wakatakehiko in the kojiki and nihongi¹ but she has an additional child called Hikosajima listed in the kojiki.²

She is said to have been the younger sister of Princess Are.²

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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Hear this tale on Episode B13 of our Podcast, the Japan Archives.

• • Reign: 290-215BC
  • Born: 342BC
  • Period: Legendary Period
  • Family: Emperor Kōan (father) Oshihime (mother) Kuwashi Hime (wife) Emperor Kōgen (son) Haeirodo (concubine) Wakatakehiko (son) Hikosajima (son) Yamato no kunikahime (concubine) Yamatototohimomosobime (daughter) Kibitsuhiko (son) Yamatototowakayabime (daughter) Hikosashikatawake (son) Chijihayamawaka (concubine) Chijihayahime (daughter)
  • Burial place: misasagi on Mumazaka at Kataoka.
  • Order of Succession: Predecessor Emperor Kōan  * Successor Emperor Kōgen

Emperor Kōrei

Emperor Kōrei (孝霊 天皇) was the 7th Emperor of Japan also known as Ōyamatonekohikofutoni (大倭根子日子賦斗邇命)¹² He ruled from 290-215BC.¹

Family

Depending on the source consulted, different wives and children are recounted from his life.

Emperor Kōrei was the son of Emperor Kōan and Oshihime.¹² His main wife and Empress was Kuwashi Hime with whom he had the future Emperor Kōgen.¹²³ With his concubine Haeirodo he had two sons Wakatakehiko¹²³ and Hikosajima.²³ With Yamato no kunikahime he had two daughters Yamatototohimomosobime, Yamatototowakayabime and two sons Kibitsuhiko,²³ Hikosashikatawake.³ And with an additional concubine called Chijihayamawaka he had a daughter by the name of Chijihayahime.³

Reign

Emperor Kōrei ascended the throne in 290BC¹⁴ after having been made heir to the throne in the “76th year, Spring, 1st month, 5th day” of his fathers reign. He is said to have been 26 at the time.²

Ponsonby says he was 53 when he took the throne.¹

Events from his reign detailed in the Nihongi are as follows:

• • Winter, 2th month, 4th Day – Capital moved to Kuroda, residing in the palace of Ihodo.
  • 1st Year, Spring, 1st Month, 12th Day – Kōrei ascends throne. He gives the Empress the title Kodaigo.
  • 2nd year, Spring, 2nd month, 11th day. ‘Hosohime’ (Kuwashihime) made Empress.
    • Two alternative versions say this was:
      • Kasuga no Chichihayayamakahime.
      • Mashitahime, daughter of Toso, Agatanushi of Tohochi.
    • The Empress gives birth to Emperor Kōgen.
    • With concubine Yamato no kunikahime they have Yamatototohimomosobime, Kibitsuhiko and Yamatototowakayabime.
    • With concubine Hayeiroto they have Hikosajima and Wakatakehiko.
  • 36th year, Spring, 1st month, 1st day. Kōgen is made heir.
  • 76th year, Spring, 2nd month, 8th day – The Emperor dies.²

The Jinnō Shōtōki gives some additional information concerning his reign stating that the Chinese Emperor Ch’in sought out the The Elixir of Life in Japan during his reign. In response they asked for copies of the book of Five Kings and Three Emperors which were then sent to Japan.⁴

Kōrei died aged 128¹ though the Jinnō Shōtōki says he died aged 110.⁴ In total he is said to have ruled for 106 years in the Kojiki³ and not 76 years as in other sources.¹²⁴

His misasagi is located on Mumazaka in Kataoka.²

He was buried in his misasagi in the 6th year, Autumn, 9th month, 6th day of his sons reign.²

Footnotes

1. Ponsonby, F. (1959) “The Imperial House of Japan.” Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society.
2. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.
3. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
4. Varley, H.P (1980) “A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns: Jinnō Shōtōki of Kitabatake Chikafusa.” New York: Columbia University Press.

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• 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 this Province, taking place at Himeji Castle.²³

Archaeological evidence from here shows the Haji Clan left settlements here and in Mimasaka as they moved from Izumo to Yamato Province.⁴

Legendary Period

In the pages of the kojiki it is said that Wakatakehiko with his half-brother Kibitsuhiko laid sacred jars on the River Hi in Harima. After this they went to subdue and pacify the area.⁵

Yamanobe no Ohotaka passed through here on his way to catch a swan for the Prince Homutsuwake.⁵

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.⁷

Kamakura/Muromachi Period

Akamatsu Norisuke and Akamatsu Norimura served as shugo here during their lifetime.¹

Azuchi-Momoyama Period

Amago Katsuhisa came under seige by the Mōri in 1578⁶ at Kōzuki Castle here; later commiting suicide.¹

Footnotes

1. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
2. Yoda, H. and Alt, M. (2016) “Japandemonium: Illustrated: The Yokai Encyclopaedia of Toriyama Sekien.”. New York: over Publications, Inc.
3. Yoda, H & Alt, M. (2012) “Yurei Attack: The Japanese Ghost Survival Guide” Tokyo: Tuttle Publishing.
4. Borgen, R. (1975) “The Origins of the Sugawara. A History of the Haji Family”. Monumenta Nipponica. Vol.30 No.4 pp.405-422
5. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
6. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
7. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.

Former Provinces of Japan
Kinai	Izumi * Kawachi * Settsu * Yamashiro * Yamato
Tōsandō	Dewa * Hida * Kōzuke * Mino * Mutsu * Omi * Shimotsuke * Shinano
Hokurikudō	Echigo * Echizen * Etchū * Kaga * Koshi * Wakasa
San’indō	Hōki * Inaba * Izumo * Tajima * Tamba * Tango
Tōkaidō	Ise * Kai * Kazusa * Mikawa * Owari * Sagami * Shimōsa * Suruga * Tōtōmi
Nankaidō	Awa * Iyo * Kii * Sanuki * Tosa
San’yōdō	Aki * Harima * Mimasaka
Saikaidaō	Bungo * Chikuzen * Hizen * Hyūga * Iki * Tsushima
Pre-Taihō Code	Kibi

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