Read, reflect, pray
Nihon Shoki: Kumano’s sword, Yatagarasu and the golden kite
Nihon Shoki · Story 16 of 17
熊野の剣、八咫烏、金色の鵄
Divine assistance in Jinmu’s journey.
English translation of this site’s published story summary and reading notes. This is a selected reading guide, not a complete translation of the ancient chronicle.
Imperial annals
Book 3, Jinmu, before enthronement: tsuchinoe-uma year, sixth and twelfth months
When the army becomes unable to move in Kumano, Amaterasu and Takemikazuchi appear in Takakuraji’s dream. Instructed to deliver Takemikazuchi’s sword, he presents it, and the party regains its strength, the text records.
Unable to advance through the mountains, Jinmu dreams of Amaterasu, who says she will send Yatagarasu as a guide. Following the bird’s direction, the party reaches Uda.
The twelfth-month entry of the same pre-enthronement account describes a golden kite alighting on a bow tip during battle with Nagasunehiko, its light dazzling the opposing army. This is a different bird and episode from Yatagarasu’s guidance.
Compare with the Kojiki
In the Kojiki, Takagi sends Yatagarasu. This Nihon Shoki passage says Amaterasu sends it and also includes the golden kite. These are introduced as traditions recorded in the books.
The eastern journey and Yatagarasu →Connected figures
Names and relationships in a chronicle may differ from later traditions. Each figure’s introduction identifies its sources.
Sources and edition (1)
English explanations on this page were prepared by Inori no Mori from the cited text and its Japanese explanations. They are not an official translation or a prescribed liturgy.