Kami (Shinto deity)
Yatagarasu
八咫烏
Yatagarasu is a crow that serves as a messenger of the kami, said to have helped Emperor Jinmu on his eastern expedition. It is enshrined at the Miagatahiko-sha within the grounds of Kumano Nachi Taisha, and draws prayers for guidance and traffic safety.
This page follows the scene of guiding the way in myth and the faith handed down in Kumano. The three-legged form draws on the depiction familiar at the shrines of Kumano and elsewhere.
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
What kind of being is Yatagarasu?
It is a large crow said to have guided Emperor Jinmu as he advanced from Kumano to Yamato. “Yata” here expresses largeness. In the myths it appears as a messenger sent by the kami, and in Kumano faith it is cherished as a divine messenger.
Source: 熊野那智大社・國學院大學（平藤喜久子）
Wishing for guidance and traffic safety
Kumano Nachi Taisha introduces the Yatagarasu of the Miagatahiko-sha as a kami of “guidance” and “traffic safety.” When wishing for safety on a journey, or turning your thoughts to the road ahead, you can pray with the story of its guidance in mind.
Source: 熊野那智大社
In the Kojiki, a crow sent by Takagi no Kami
In the middle volume of the Kojiki, Takagi no Kami sends Yatagarasu to Kamuyamato Iwarebiko no Mikoto (Emperor Jinmu), who had come through a crisis in Kumano. The party follows the crow and heads for Yamato by way of Yoshino. Takagi no Kami is another name for Takamimusubi no Kami.
Source: 青空文庫（武田祐吉注釈校訂）
In the Nihon Shoki, a revelation from Amaterasu Ōkami in a dream
In Book 3 of the Nihon Shoki, Amaterasu Ōkami appears in a dream to Emperor Jinmu, who could not make his way through the mountains, and tells him that she will send Yatagarasu as a guide. The party follows the crow and reaches Uda. The “golden kite” (tobi) that later alights on his bow in battle is a bird that appears in a different scene from this Yatagarasu.
Source: 『日本書紀』原文（Wikisource翻刻）
Why three legs?
At Kumano shrines and elsewhere, Yatagarasu is depicted with three legs. The Kojiki passage on its guidance, on the other hand, does not state the number of its legs. Kokugakuin University's commentary considers that the “three-legged crow in the sun” handed down in China influenced how its figure is depicted. It is easier to understand when the text of the story and the figure that spread later are read separately.
Source: 國學院大學（平藤喜久子）
The Miagatahiko-sha, connected with Yatagarasu
The Miagatahiko-sha stands on the left as you face the raiden of Kumano Nachi Taisha in Wakayama Prefecture. The shrine's official guide introduces it as the shrine that enshrines Yatagarasu.
Source: 熊野那智大社
An example of a chant (in Japanese)
祓え給い、清め給え、神（かむ）ながら守り給い、幸（さきわ）え給え
Related shrines and temples
Related kami and buddhas
Sources (in Japanese)
- 熊野那智大社「八咫烏（やたがらす）について」（2026-10-20 確認）
- 國學院大學（平藤喜久子）「神武天皇を導いた三本足のカラス — ヤタガラス」（2026-10-20 確認）
- 青空文庫（武田祐吉注釈校訂）「『校註 古事記』熊野より大和へ」（2026-10-15 確認）
- 『日本書紀』原文（Wikisource翻刻）「巻第三・神武即位前紀 戊午年六月・十二月」（2026-10-15 確認）