Legend of Kamo

"Fudoki" were compiled in 713 CE when Emperor Genmei ordered each province to create their own records. These documents were similar to reports detailing the local culture and customs of each region. Unfortunately, the Fudoki of Yamashiro Province no longer exists in its original form, and its contents have only been preserved through quotations in other historical texts.

Among these preserved quotations, there is a tale that closely resembles the story of the birth of the first empress consort.

賀茂建角身命(Kamo Taketsunumi-no-mikoto), who developed ancient Kyoto, had a daughter named 玉依媛命(Tamayori-hime-no-mikoto). She picked up a 丹塗矢(Ninuriya) that had floated down from the upper reaches of the Kamo River and took it home. After placing the arrow near her bed, Tamayori-hime-no-mikoto became pregnant and gave birth to 賀茂別雷命(Kamo Wakeikazuchi-no-mikoto). Later, when Kamo Wakeikazuchi-no-mikoto reached adulthood, his grandfather Kamo Taketsunumi-no-mikoto commanded him to "serve sake to your father." In response, Kamo Wakeikazuchi-no-mikoto made a hole in the roof and ascended to the heavens. The 丹塗矢(Ninuriya), his father deity, was revealed to be 火雷神(Honoikazuchi-no-kami), the god of thunder and fire.

賀茂建角身命(Kamo Taketsunumi-no-mikoto) and 玉依媛命(Tamayori-hime-no-mikoto) are the enshrined deities at 賀茂御祖神社(Kamomioya Shrine), commonly known as 下鴨神社(Shimogamo Jinja), while 賀茂別雷大神(Kamo Wakeikazuchi-no-mikoto) is the enshrined deity at 賀茂別雷神社(Kamo Wakeikazuchi Jinja), commonly known as 上賀茂神社(Kamigamo Jinja). Additionally, 火雷神(Honoikazuchi-no-kami) is enshrined at 向日神社(Mukou Jinja).

At 下鴨神社(Shimogamo Jinja), which has long been worshipped as a deity of matchmaking and child-rearing, visitors can receive a 干支丹塗矢(Eto Ninuriya) based on this legend.

干支丹塗矢

(Image source: Shimogamo Shrine website)


At 上賀茂神社(Kamigamo Jinja), it seems visitors can also receive a 立て丹塗矢(Tate Ninuriya).

立て丹塗矢

(Image source: Kamigamo Shrine website )



It is also said that the 八咫烏(Yatagarasu: the three-legged crow, a divine guide, also featured on the emblem of Japan's national football team) is an incarnation of 賀茂建角身命(Kamo Taketsunumi-no-mikoto), and the Fudoki of Yamashiro records the route from when it guided Emperor Jinmu until it settled in the Shimogamo area. Furthermore, the 金鵄(Kinshi: Golden Kite) that appears in the Nihon Shoki is also considered to be an incarnation of Kamo Taketsunumi-no-mikoto.

Emperor Jinmu and the Golden Kite

(From Tsukioka Yoshitoshi's "Great Japanese Generals" / PD)

This bird in the picture is not the 八咫烏(Yatagarasu) but the 金鵄(Kinshi), which played an active role in the battle against Nagasunehiko's army. The enemies appear to be blinded by the light emitted by the 金鵄(Kinshi).

As a side note, the mother goddess of Emperor Jinmu is called 玉依姫(Tamayori-hime), but she is unrelated to 玉依媛命(Tamayori-hime-no-mikoto). Since their eras are close to each other, it is quite confusing. Additionally, it is said that the mother goddess of Ninigi (the grandson of Amaterasu who descended from heaven to earth according to Japanese mythology) also has an alternate name of "Tamayori-hime-no-mikoto."

"玉依姫(Tamayori-hime)" carries the meaning of "princess who serves as a vessel for divine spirits," which resulted in multiple deities ending up with this name.