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Himetataraisuzu-hime
Emperor Jimmu and Himetataraisuzu-hime from the first volume of Utagawa Kuniyoshi's "Nihon kokusei rya ki".
Although details vary, her parents are described as an influential Yamato woman and a kami. She is said to have married Emperor Jimmu and given birth to the second emperor, Emperor Suizei.[5][2]
Depiction by Kojiki and Nihon Shoki
Birth
According to the Kojiki, when Kamuyamato-Iwarebiko (also known as Emperor Jimmu) was searching for a wife, he was told about a woman named Seyadatarahime (勢夜陀多良比売) who bore a daughter after she was impregnated by Ōmononushi. Ōmononushi had taken the form of a red arrow and struck Seyadatara-hime's genitals while she was defecating in a ditch. Iwarebiko wooed this daughter, named Hototatara-Isusukihime (富登多多良伊須須岐比売) (also known as Himetatara-Isukeyorihime (比売多多良伊須気余理比売), an altered form of the name which omits the taboo word hoto (ホト, "genitals")), and took her as his wife.[6][7][8][4]
Like the Kojiki, the main narrative of the first volume of the Nihon Shoki first describes Himetataraisuzu-hime as the offspring of the god of Ōmononushi. However, the Nihon Shoki also contains an alternative story which portrays her as the child of the god Kotoshironushi (事代主神) and the goddess Mizokuhihime (溝樴姫) - also known as Tamakushihime (玉櫛姫) - conceived after Kotoshironushi transformed himself into a gigantic wani and had sex with her.[9] Likewise, the main narrative in the third and fourth volumes of Nihon Shoki refers to her as the daughter of Kotoshironushi rather than Ōmononushi.[10][11]
Her house was located on the Sai River and near Sai-jinja Shrine, near Mount Miwa.[12]
Marriage with Emperor Jimmu
According to the Nihon Shoki and other sources, Iwarehiko (later Emperor Jimmu) left the Land of Himuka and made an expedition to the east, and after many battles, established his government in the Yamato region. Iwarehiko built the Palace of Kashiwara in modern-day Kashihara at the foot of Mount Unebi and ascended to the throne as the first emperor.[13]
Prior to his accession to the throne, Iwarehiko needed to have a consort worthy of being the first Empress. Okume-no-mikoto, a vassal of Iwarehiko, suggested Himetataraisuzu-hime as a candidate for his wife.[14][15] According to the Kojiki, Okume-no-mikoto explains the story of Himetataraisuzu-hime's birth to Iwarehiko and tells him that she deserved to be his rightful wife.[16][15] In the Kojiki, there is another story in which Iwarehiko and Okume-no-mikoto witnessed seven women on the shore of the Sai River and selected a wife from among them.[12]
Himetataraisuzu-hime had a notable poetic exchange with them, and then Jimmu stayed the night at her house.[12]
According to the Nihon Shoki, their marriage took place on September 24 of the year before his accession.[b] Himetataraisuzu-hime became Empress when Emperor Jimmu ascended the throne the following year.[c]
After the death of Emperor Jimmu
According to the Nihon Shoki, Emperor Jimmu died at the age of 127. Although there are differences in details, the Nihon Shoki and Kojiki describe a succession struggle that occurred among his children after his death.
Before he left for the eastern expedition from the "Land of Himuka", Iwarehiko had married Ohiratsuhime and they had a child.[d] However, these children were reduced to the status of bastards when Iwarehiko made Himetataraisuzu-hime the rightful Empress. When Emperor Jimmu died, his bastard son, Tagishimi, wanted to succeed to the throne himself.[e]
In the Kojiki, Tagishimi took the widowed Empress Himetataraisuzu-hime as his wife and tried to assassinate the legitimate children of Emperor Jimmu and Empress Himetataraisuzu-hime. Aware of his plans, Himetataraisuzu-hime wrote two poems to her children to warn them of the danger.[16][Kojiki 1]
Learning of the plot from their mother's poems, the legitimate sons attacked Tagishimi first and defeated him. Kannuma Kawamimi-no-mikoto, who played the most active role in the attack, succeeded his father and ascended to the throne as the second emperor, Emperor Suizei. According to the Nihon Shoki, Himetataraisuzu-hime took the title of "Empress Dowager".
Based on the Nihon Shoki and the Kojiki, Himetataraisuzu-hime and Emperor Jimmu had three children: Hikoyai (日子八井命), Kamuyaimimi (神八井耳命), and Emperor Suizei. Hikoyai is only mentioned in the Kojiki, whereas the other two children are mentioned in both texts. Kamuyaimimi became the founder of the Ō clan.
In the Nihon Shoki and the Kojiki, although the details of the stories differ, Himetataraisuzu-hime is depicted as having a mother who is "the daughter of an influential person (a deity)" and a father who is "a deity." There is a theory that Emperor Jimmu, the first emperor of Japan, may have married a Himetataraisuzu-hime, a "daughter of a god," in order to legitimize his regime.
It is said that the mother's maternal family belongs to Mishima of Settsu (Osaka Prefecture) and her paternal family belongs to Miwa of Yamato (Nara Prefecture). It is theorized that this suggests cooperation between several powerful clans in the Kansai region,[f] and that the marriage of Iwarehiko, a foreigner from Himuka (Hyuga Province), was supported by a powerful person from Kawachi Province (Yamato and Settsu Provinces).[g] There is also a theory that this shows Iwarehiko not only intended to conquer by military force, but also consolidate his control in the countryside by spreading his influence. There is also an interpretation that it indicates that Emperor Jimmu's forces secured iron manufacturing technology.
Grandfather: Mizokuhi of Mishima
In the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan), the mother is said to be the daughter of Mishima Mizokuhi, although there are some differences in wording. "Mizokuhiis also written as 溝樴, 溝樴耳神, and 溝杙 in the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters), and as 湟咋, 溝杭 (Shinsen Seijiroku), Mizokui (Shinsen Seijiroku), and other characters may also be applied. "In addition, there are some historical records that refer to him as Mimi-gami, suggesting that he was an object of worship as a divine being. In the genealogy of the Kamo clan, this deity is said to be the ancestor of the Kamo clan and the Katsuragi Kunizo. There is also a theory that the name of the deity is related to "Mishima" and that it is the same deity as Shogikona, who was the ancestor deity of the Mishima prefectures.
The place name "Mishima" is thought to be Settsu ProvinceMishima County (present-day northern Osaka Prefecture). The Engishiki (927) lists Mishima Kamojinshya (Mishima-e, Takatsuki City) and Mizokuijinshya (Ibaraki, Osaka|Ibaraki City), suggesting that "Mizokuhi of Mishima" was worshipped in this area.[h]
In the Edo period, KokugakuNencho Motoi interpreted this "mizo (groove)" to refer to a toilet built over a stream of water, and this has become a common theory. Eiichi Mitani and others have adopted this theory, and there is also a theory that the toilet is strongly related to birth rituals. Kazuo Higo (Professor Emeritus, Tokyo University of Education) disagreed, saying that "mizo" means a ditch in a paddy field. Masayuki Tsugita developed this theory, claiming that Mishima-gun was an ideal place for rice cultivation and that "Mizokuhi of Mishima" was a farming god.
Mothers: Tamakushihime and Seyadatara-hime
Her mother's name is Tamakushihime in the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan) and Seyadatara-hime in the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters). Both are said to have been known as beautiful women.[Shoki 1][Kojiki 2]
She is said to have originally been named Hottataraisukihime. It is also said that she was a beautiful woman like her mother.
However, she disliked the word "hoto" and changed her name to Himetataraisuzu-hime.
The dropping of the "hoto" may be related to the word being linked to genitals.[3]
Relation to Tatara Iron Manufacturing
There is a theory that the "Tatara" part of the name Himetataraisuzu-hime is interpreted in connection with Tatara iron manufacturing, indicating iron manufacturing in ancient Japan.[30][31][15][j][k][l]
According to Yasunao Kojita [ja] (Nara Women's University), 'Tatara' refers to a Tatara furnace, and "Hoto" refers to the pubic area as well as the fireplace.[35][m] In other words, the fact that Emperor Jimmu took Himetataraisuzu-hime (= HimetataraHimetataraisuzu-hime = Hotataraisukihime) as his wife is interpreted as an indication that the royal family controlled the iron and steel industry.[35] Yutaka Yoshino (Japan Literature Association) states that the name "HotataraHimetataraisuzu-hime" refers to a priestess who served the god of molten ore and the blast furnace.[36]
Nomoninaga Motoi and other early modern Kokugaku scholars did not interpret the word "Tatara" in Himetataraisuzu-hime to mean a bellows.[36] In their view, the word "Tatara" is a slang term used by blacksmiths and is dismissed from its ties to steelmaking as it is unsuitable for the name of a noble empress.[36] "Some interpret "Tatara" as a derivative of "stand," meaning "stood up (surprised by an arrow in the pubic region)" or "had an arrow put up (in the pubic region).[37][2]
Himetataraisuzu-hime also came to be revered as a "Komori Myōjin (子守明神)" because she saved children, and is enshrined as the main deity at Isagawa Shrine [ja] (Honkomori-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture).[40][n] In June of every year, the Nitsukawa Shrine holds the "Saegusa Festival" (commonly known as the lily festival) (「三枝祭」(通称:ゆり祭り), `Saigusasai'(tsūshō: Yuri matsuri)), where Himetataraisuzu-hime is worshipped by offering lilies grown at Mount Miwa.[40]
At the upper reaches of the Sakai River (狭井川), where Himetataraisuzu-hime's parents lived, there is the Sakai Shrine (狭井神社). Here, the main deity is Himetataraisuzu-hime, but also Omononushi (father of Himetataraisuzu-hime according to the Kojiki), Seyadatara-hime (mother of Himetataraisuzu-hime according to the Kojiki), Kotoshirohime (mother of Himetataraisuzu-hime according to the Kojiki) Tamayori-hime, Kotoshironushi (father of Himetataraisukehime according to the Nihon Shoki) are enshrined here.[41]
^
She is referred to by several different names and several different spellings. Among them Isukeyori-hime.[3][4]
^In Nihon Shoki, he began his search for a consort on August 16th by the lunar calendar, the year before his accession to the throne ("The New Moon of August, Earth Dragon (Chinese Zodiac)"),[14][17] and he chose Himetataraisuhime as her consort and married her on September 24 by the lunar calendar ("September New Moon").[18][19]
^In Nihon Shoki, the year of Emperor Jimmu's accession to the throne is taken as the year of the Metal Rooster. According to the calculation method established in the Meiji era (1868-1912), taking into account the Chinese prophecy theory and the Shin-Yu Revolution theory, this year is 660 BC. In the past, this was considered a historical fact, but in modern times it is not usually considered a historical fact.[5] For more information, see Japanese imperial year.
^The "Kojiki" records the names of two of his children. Tagishimimi ([20]) and Kisumimi ([21]).[22][23] On the other hand, the Nihongo Shoki has only the name of Tegenmimi-no-mikoto (Tagishimimino-mikoto) and does not mention the name of the person corresponding to Gisumimi-no-mikoto.[22]
^According to Nihon Shoki and other sources, Tagishimi served under Emperor Jimmu for a long time. According to Nihon Shoki and other sources, Tagishimi served under Emperor Jimmu for a long time, but he was described as having a difficult personality and a tendency to "disobey humanity".[23] These portrayals are not necessarily considered to be the true historical facts. In the replacement of Emperor Jimmu with Emperor Suizei, the ultimogeniture took place, which is thought to have been common in ancient Japan. However, later on primogeniture became common, and some interpret this to mean that the explanation that the elder brother was eliminated because he was a bad person was necessary for readers who consider first-born inheritance to be legitimate.[23]
^If Himetataraisuhime's father is Kotoshironushi or Okuninushi, as Nihon Shoki suggests, then Himetataraisuhime has roots in Izumo Province as well as in the Kinki region.[26]
^Strictly speaking, it was in ancient times that Provinces of Japan such as Yamato and Settsu were established.
^Mizokui Shrine [ja] refers to Mishima Mizokui (Mishima Mizokui) as the founder of the shrine[14] and says that the Mishima clan would have been a powerful clan in the ancient Kawachi region.[26]
^Omonoshu (大物主神) was originally the clan deity of the Mount Miwa.[27] On the other hand, Omononushi may be another name for Okuninushi (a descendant of Susanoo), and in Nihongo Shoki, Omononushi is the Mitama of Okuninushi.[27] Both were originally considered to be different deities.[28][29]
^The character "鞴" used in Nihon Shoki refers to the bellows used in iron making.[31]
^In modern Japan (before the gathering of the World War II), the origins of iron manufacturing in Japan have been traced back to the Kamishiro period,[30] with episodes in the Nihon Shoki and the Kojiki stating that when Amaterasu hid in Amano-Iwato, iron from "Amakayama (Nihon Shoki)" or "Amakinzan (Kojiki)" was used for metalworking. (Nihon Shoki)" or "Amakinzan (Kojiki)".[30][32] In modern times, it is generally accepted that iron making technology was introduced from mainland China along with rice cultivation,[32] but archaeological evidence is insufficient,[32] and no definitive theory has been established about its origin or age.[30] In terms of literary sources, iron manufacturing is specifically detailed in the Izumono Kuni Fudoki [ja] of the 8th century, and it is thought that iron manufacturing was already established in this period.[30]
^Teiichi Suzumoto (Chemical Society of Japan) has argued that the huge Emperor Nintoku's Mausoleum, which dates from around the early 5th century, was probably made possible to build by the establishment of iron tools, and that the Yamato Imperial Court of the time probably had secured tatara iron technology.[30] Fuigo has been excavated from the Higashi Nara Ruins [ja] (in Ibaraki City, Osaka Prefecture), and some have linked this to iron manufacturing by the Yamato Court.[33] At this Higashinara site (discovered in 1971), Dōtaku and their casts have been excavated, and it is certain that bronze bells were made there.[34]
^The word "hoto" (溶鉱炉) also refers to "blast furnace".[33]
^The Isagawa Shrine [ja] is a regent shrine of the Miwasan and Ōmiwa Shrine, which is said to be the hometown of Himetataraisuhime.[16]
^There are two ways this name is transcribed: "Ika-gashiko-me" is used by Tsutomu Ujiya, while "Ika-shiko-me" is used by William George Aston.[106]
References
^第2版,世界大百科事典内言及, 日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ),ブリタニカ国際大百科事典 小項目事典,デジタル版 日本人名大辞典+Plus,精選版 日本国語大辞典,旺文社日本史事典 三訂版,百科事典マイペディア,デジタル大辞泉,世界大百科事典. "神武天皇とは". コトバンク (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-01-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ abc"Japanese God Name Dictionary" p320 "Himetataraisuzu Himetataraisuzu"
『日本神名辞典』p320「比売多多良伊須気余理比売」
^Kadoya, Atsushi. "Ōmononushi". Encyclopedia of Shinto. Kokugakuin University. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
^Aston, William George (1896). "Book I" . Nihongi: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to A.D. 697. Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co. p. 61–62 – via Wikisource.
^Aston, William George (1896). "Book III" . Nihongi: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to A.D. 697. Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co. p. 132 – via Wikisource.
^Aston, William George (1896). "Book IV" . Nihongi: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to A.D. 697. Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co. p. 138 – via Wikisource.
^Frédéric, L.; Louis-Frédéric; Roth, K. (2005). Japan Encyclopedia. Harvard University Press reference library. Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. ISBN978-0-674-01753-5. Retrieved 2020-11-21.
^Aston, William. (1998). Nihongi, Vol. 1, pp. 254–271.
Literature
"Mythological Hime Tachi: Another Kojiki", Sankei Shimbun, Sankei Shimbun, 2018, ISBN 978-4-8191-1336-6
"Nihon no Kami Yomiwake Jiten" (An Encyclopedia of Japanese Gods), Kenji Kawaguchi/editor, Kashiwa Shobo, 1999, 2009 (9th printing), ISBN 4-7601-1824-1
"Kojiki to Nihon no Kami ga Kunderu Hon" (The Book of Ancient Matters and Understanding Japanese Gods), Kunihiro Yoshida, Gakken Publishing, 2015, ISBN 978-4-05-406340-2
"Illustrated Chronicle of the Emperors of the Rekishi", Edited by Masao Mitobe, Kazuo Higo, Shizuko Akagi, Shigetaka Fukuchi, Akita Shoten, 1989, ISBN 4-253-00297-8
"Genealogical Compilation", New Edition, Vol. 1, Upper Section, Divine Emperors (1), edited by Yotohiko Iwasawa, Meisho Shuppan, 1996, ISBN 4-626-01541-7
"A Genealogical Directory of the Empresses of the Rekishi Era" (Bessatsu Rekishi Yomibon 24, Vol. 27, No. 29, 618), Minoru Sato (ed.), Shinninjin Oraisha, 2002
"Nihon Josei Jinmei Jiten (Dictionary of Japanese Women's Biographies), Popular Edition", edited by Noboru Haga, Yasuko Ichibanghase, Kuni Nakajima, Koichi Soda, Japan Book Center, 1998, ISBN 4-8205-7881-2
"Dictionary of Japanese Historical Personal Names", Nichigai Associates, 1999, ISBN 4-8169-1527-3
"Dictionary of Japanese Ancient Clans and Personal Names, Popular Edition", Taro Sakamoto and Kunio Hirano, Yoshikawa Kobunkan, 1990, 2010 (Popular Edition, 1st Edition), ISBN 978-4-642-01458-8
"Kadokawa Japanese Dictionary of Geographical Names 29: Nara Prefecture", Kadokawa Japanese Dictionary of Geographical Names Compilation Committee, Rizo Takeuchi, editor, Kadokawa Shoten, 1990, ISBN 4-04-001290-9
Unless otherwise noted (as BC), years are in CE / AD1 individuals that were given the title of empress posthumously
2 individuals elevated to the rank of empress due to their position as honorary mother of the emperor
3 Shōshi served briefly as honorary empress for her younger brother Emperor Go-Daigo
Unless otherwise noted (as BC), years are in CE / AD1 individuals that were given the title of empress dowager posthumously
2 title removed in 896 due to a suspected affair with head priest of the Toko-ji Temple; title posthumously restored in 943
3 was made High Empress or de jure empress dowager during her husband's reign