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Yatagarasu
Yatagarasu
Yatagarasu
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Statue of Yatagarasu at Kumano Hongu Taisha.

Yatagarasu (八咫烏) is a mythical crow[1] and guiding god in Shinto mythology. He is generally known for his three-legged figure, and his picture has been handed down since ancient times.[1] The word means "eight-span crow"[2] and the appearance of the great bird is construed as evidence of the will of Heaven or divine intervention in human affairs.[3]

Yatagarasu as a crow-god is a symbol specifically of guidance. This great crow was sent from heaven by Takamimusubi as a guide for legendary Emperor Jimmu on his initial journey from the region which would become Kumano to what would become Yamato (Yoshino and then Kashihara). It is generally accepted that Yatagarasu is an incarnation of Kamotaketsunumi no Mikoto, but none of the early surviving documentary records are quite so specific.[4]

Overview

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Yatagarasu's Flag next to the Torii of Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine.
Yatagarasu at Yumigenha Shrine

In Japanese mythology, the Yatagarasu is said to have guided Emperor Jimmu to Kashihara in Yamato, and is believed to be a god of guidance. He is also believed to be an incarnation of the sun.

In the Kojiki, he was sent by Takamimusubi, and in the Nihon Shoki, he was sent by Amaterasu. In the Kojiki, he was sent to ask the brothers Ukausi and Ukausi to return to Emperor Jinmu, but was turned away by the elder brother with a squeaky whistle. On the other hand, in the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan), Yatagarasu was sent to ask the brothers to return to the emperor. The younger brother, however, was afraid and said, "I hold the heavens against the gods, and I fear for my life. What a crow, you are singing." He offered food to the crow on eight leaf boards. There is a slight difference between the traditions in the two books; for example, the crow returned to Emperor Jimmu and reported to him that his brother Isoshiro was rebellious.

After that, in Nihon Shoki, the merit was worked, and the descendants of Yatagarasu became the lords of Katsuno (Kazuno no Tomori no Agatanushi), and the root was Katsuragi Kokuzo.

In the Nihon Shoki, the Kinshi ("golden kite") saved Emperor Jimmu in his battle with Naganohiko during his eastern expedition. In addition, the Kamo clan is also considered to be the same as the Ame-no-Kanatomi [ja] and Kamotaketsunumi no Mikoto. In the genealogy of the Kamo clan, another name for Kamotaketsunumi no Mikoto is Yatagarasu Kamotaketsunumi no Mikoto, even though the Yatagarasu in the Chronicles is said to be Ikutama Anihiko no Mikoto, a contemporary of Emperor Jinmu.[5]

In the three Kumano mountains, crows are considered to be Misaki deities (spirits of the dead that have been appeased; Shinshi). In Kumano Sanzan, Yatagarasu is worshiped as a servant of the Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the Great God of Kumano, and is also a symbol of Kumano. The crow is depicted on the Kumano Gyuuhoin, which was often used as an invocation before the early modern period.

An ata is a unit of length, the length of the thumb and middle finger spread out (about 18 cm), and a yata is 144 cm,[6] but yata here simply means "large".

Meaning of three legs

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There are many theories as to what it means for the Yatagarasu to have three legs. According to Kumano Hongu Taisha, the three legs of the Yatagarasu represent heaven (Tenjin Jigion), earth (natural environment), and man, respectively, indicating that God, nature, and man are brothers born from the same sun. It is also said to represent the authority of the three Kumano clans (Enomoto, Ui, and Fujihaku Suzuki) that once held power in the Kumano region. There is a theory that the meaning of the three legs originates from the fact that the number representing the sun has been three since ancient times, and that it has the same meaning as the Mitsunoe of the crest of shrines (Himekoso shrines) such as Usa Jingu that worship the sun goddess Hime. However, neither Kojiki nor Nihon Shoki mentions that the Yatagarasu has three legs, and the earliest reference to the Yatagarasu as having three legs is Wamyō Ruijushō, written in the middle of the Heian period (around 930), and it is thought that at that time Yatagarasu became identified with the three-legged crow, a mythical bird of China and Korea, and became three-legged.[6] It is possible that the belief in the bird as a messenger of the gods, which originally existed in Japanese mythology, was fused with the Chinese belief in the spiritual bird of the sun.

Chinese "three-legged crow"

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Main article: Three-legged crow

In Chinese mythology, the three-legged crow lives in the sun.[6] Based on the theory of the five elements of yin and yang, two is yin and three is yang, and three legs are more suitable to symbolize the sun than two legs. The legs represent the sunrise, daylight, and sunset. In China, the three-legged crows have appeared in books since the Former Han period (3rd century BCE), and have been depicted on artifacts found in the tombs of kings. The triskelion, an abstract design composed of three spirals, and its derivative, the three-legged crow, are widespread designs.

History

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Emperor Jimmu being led by the Yatagarasu (Andatsu Ginkō, "Emperor Jinmu's Eastern Expedition")

As mentioned above, three-legged crow lore can be found in ancient Chinese cultural regions. If it is in China, it is the Golden Crow. If in the Korean peninsula, it is depicted on a burial mound in the area where Goguryeo (1st–6th century BC) once stood (present-day North Korea). The people of Goguryeo believed that three-legged crows lived in the sun and turtles lived in the moon. On the other hand, there is a theory that they did not spread to the southern part of the Korean Peninsula (present-day South Korea).

In the Japanese myth of the "Eastern Expedition", Yatagarasu is said to have served as a guide for Emperor Jimmu as he attempted to advance from the Seto Inland Sea to the Kinki region. Emperor Jimmu initially attacked Osaka from the west and was defeated, so he thought that he, as a descendant of Amaterasu, the sun goddess, should attack from the east to the west with his back to the sun, instead of from the west to the east.[7] Therefore, guided by Yatagarasu, they decided to attack from the vicinity of the present-day Shingu, largely bypassing the Kii Peninsula, and then went through Yoshino to Kashihara, where they established the Yamato Imperial Court.[7]

In mythology, Yatagarasu is also a messenger of the god Kumano. In the reign of Emperor Kōrei, a hunter named Chiyokane, who was chasing wild boar in the mountains, was led by a crow to a large tree. When he pointed an arrow at the light, he heard a voice saying, "I am the god of Kumano." He built a shrine dedicated to the deity and became the chief administrator of the three Kumano mountains.[7] This was the moment when the god of Kumano first appeared to the people.[7]

Yatagarasu is recorded in the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters), the Nihonshoki (Chronicles of Japan), and the Enki Shiki (Records of Ancient Matters), as well as in the wall paintings of the Kitorazuka burial mound, the mural paintings of the stone chamber in the side hole of the Chinshikizuka burial mound (Fukuoka Prefecture), the mirror excavated from the Takabe No. 30 jet in Kisarazu City, Chiba Prefecture, and the pedestal of the Tamamushi zuriko (a wooden box) at Horyuji Temple. According to Shinsengumi Roku, the Yatagarasu is an incarnation of Kamotaketsunumi no Mikoto, the great grandson of Emperor Takehito, who later became the ancestor of the Kamo no Agatonushi. The Yatagarasu Shrine in Haibara, Nara Prefecture, Uda City, has Kengakuminomikoto as its deity.

In the Sengoku period, it was also the family crest and flag of the Suzuki family, who ruled Zoga-shu in Kii Province.[8] At the end of the Edo period, Takasugi Shinsaku wrote a tojitsu in which he wrote, "I want to kill the crows of three thousand worlds and take a morning nap with the Lord." This is because it was believed that if a man broke a promise written on the back of a Kumano Gyudama Hōin tag, one (or three) Kumano ravens would die and the person who broke the promise would also be punished, so he wrote, "Even if I break all my promises to other men and let all the Kumano ravens die, I want to take a morning nap with you. This is an expression of a prostitute who chooses to sleep in the morning, risking her own life.[7]


Asteroids

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Takao Kobayashi, an astronomer from Gunma Prefecture, Oizumi-cho, named the Asteroid he discovered in 1997 (provisional code1997 AY1), which he named "Yatagarasu", and registered it as (9106) Yatagarasu on 9 August in 2004.

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See also

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Footnotes

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Yatagarasu

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from Grokipedia
Yatagarasu (八咫烏), meaning "eight-span crow" and often depicted as a three-legged divine bird in modern symbolism, is a large crow central to as a celestial messenger and guide. It serves as an incarnation or servant of the sun goddess , embodying divine intervention and heavenly will. In ancient chronicles, Yatagarasu plays a pivotal role in the legend of , Japan's mythical first emperor and grandson of Amaterasu. Sent from heaven by the goddess, the crow guided Jimmu and his followers through mountainous terrain near the Kumano region to the Yamato plain during their arduous eastward journey from Hyūga. This narrative appears in the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters, 712 CE), Japan's oldest extant chronicle, and the Nihon shoki (Chronicles of Japan, 720 CE), highlighting the bird's function as a overcoming natural and obstacles to ensure the success of the imperial lineage. The three-legged depiction of Yatagarasu draws from East Asian solar symbolism, where such crows represent the sun's essence, though Japanese texts emphasize its size and guidance over explicit leg count. As a symbol of good fortune and direction, it is venerated at shrines like Kumano Nachi Taisha in , where it is considered a of the Kumano sanctuaries, and continues to influence modern culture, notably as the emblem of the , evoking themes of leadership and progress.

Mythological Origins

Description and Etymology

Yatagarasu is a mythical avian entity in , commonly depicted as a large possessing three legs, which underscores its otherworldly and divine status. Traditional representations emphasize its black plumage, symbolizing mystery and the , with a sharp beak and talons that evoke its role as a celestial messenger. The three-legged form, while not explicitly detailed in the earliest texts, has become the standard iconography, distinguishing it from ordinary crows and aligning it with broader East Asian motifs of solar birds. The name "Yatagarasu" originates from , first attested in 8th-century chronicles such as the (712 CE) and (720 CE), where it appears as a divine bird sent from heaven. Linguistically, it breaks down into "yata," denoting "eight spans" or implying "large" or "great" in measurement, and "garasu," meaning "crow." This etymology highlights the bird's extraordinary size; a traditional Japanese span (ata) measures approximately 18-30 cm, suggesting dimensions far exceeding a typical crow, possibly up to 2.4 meters in wingspan to convey its imposing presence. The term's (八咫烏) were later glossed to mean "crow with an eight-foot head," but the native Japanese reading prioritizes the sense of vastness over literal anatomy. Depictions of Yatagarasu vary slightly across artistic traditions, remaining true to its avian form without anthropomorphic elements like features. It is primarily illustrated as a sleek , though some renderings incorporate subtle solar motifs, such as emanating rays or flames around its body, reflecting its heavenly origins. These variations maintain focus on its crow-like essence, avoiding elaborate embellishments to preserve its symbolic purity as a guide from the divine realm.

Role in Japanese Mythology

In , Yatagarasu plays a pivotal role as a divine guide dispatched to aid , the legendary first and descendant of the sun goddess , during his eastward expedition. According to the (712 CE), the oldest extant chronicle of , Jimmu—originally named Kamuyamato Iwarebiko—set out from Hyūga in present-day around 660 BCE to establish imperial rule in the central plains. Facing treacherous mountains in the Kumano region, his forces encountered hardships until the high deity Takamimusubi-no-kami sent Yatagarasu as a celestial messenger to lead them safely to Yamato, where Jimmu founded his capital at Kashihara. This intervention marked a turning point, symbolizing the gods' endorsement of Jimmu's divine lineage and the unification of the land under imperial authority. Yatagarasu is identified as an incarnation or avatar of the deity Kamo Taketsunumi no Mikoto, a primordial god associated with thunder and guidance, who transformed into the to fulfill this mission. Enshrined at in —one of Japan's oldest sanctuaries—this deity embodies heavenly will and direct divine involvement in mortal endeavors, underscoring Yatagarasu's function as a bridge between the celestial realm and human rulers. The shrine's traditions emphasize how Kamo Taketsunumi's manifestation as Yatagarasu not only navigated physical terrain but also affirmed the legitimacy of the imperial line, integrating the bird into rituals as a protector and oracle of prosperity. Yatagarasu is also regarded as a servant of Amaterasu.

Historical and Cultural Context

Connections to Chinese and East Asian Lore

The three-legged crow motif originates in ancient Chinese mythology as the sanzuwu (三足烏), a divine bird residing within the sun and often depicted as the cause of sunspots due to its visible form against the solar disk. This creature is prominently featured in the Shan Hai Jing (Classic of Mountains and Seas), a cosmological text compiled around the 4th century BCE, where it symbolizes solar power and is linked to ancient Chinese worship of the sun as a life-giving force. Earliest archaeological evidence of the sanzuwu appears in Neolithic pottery from the Yangshao culture along the Yellow River, dating to approximately 5000–3000 BCE, indicating its deep roots in pre-dynastic solar iconography. The sanzuwu motif transmitted to Japan during the (538–710 CE), a time of significant cultural exchange facilitated by the introduction of and Confucian texts from via the Korean peninsula. This adaptation transformed the purely solar entity into the Yatagarasu within traditions, shifting emphasis from celestial mechanics to divine guidance while retaining the three-legged form as a marker of otherworldly authority. The integration reflects broader East Asian mythological , where Chinese solar symbolism merged with indigenous beliefs, though no direct textual records pinpoint the exact conduit beyond general scholarly consensus on Asuka-era imports. Across , variants of the persist as solar guardians, such as the Korean samjok-o (삼족오), which inhabited the sun in kingdom lore (37 BCE–668 CE) and symbolized supreme power, often surpassing dragons and phoenixes in emblematic status. Notably, no historical evidence suggests direct Korean influence on the Japanese Yatagarasu, with Chinese transmission remaining the primary vector.

Appearances in Ancient Japanese Texts

The earliest recorded appearance of Yatagarasu occurs in the Kojiki (古事記), compiled in 712 CE, where it is described as a gigantic three-legged crow sent from heaven as a divine messenger to guide Emperor Jimmu during his eastward expedition to establish imperial rule in Yamato. In the text, the bird emerges at a critical moment in Jimmu's campaign, leading his forces through unfamiliar terrain and symbolizing heavenly endorsement of his conquest. This narrative positions Yatagarasu as an active intermediary between the divine realm and human affairs, marking its debut in Japanese literature as a literal guide rather than a mere emblem. The (日本書紀), completed in 720 CE, echoes this account with additional details, portraying Yatagarasu as a heavenly bird dispatched to assist Jimmu upon his arrival in the Yamato region. Here, the crow flies ahead of the emperor's procession, directing the path through mountains and valleys, and its manifestation serves as an auspicious omen affirming the legitimacy of Jimmu's imperial lineage descending from the sun goddess . Unlike the 's emphasis on the bird's physical form, the integrates it into a broader of , highlighting its role in confirming dynastic authority amid territorial expansion. Subsequent references appear in later ancient texts, such as the (延喜式), a compendium of rituals and regulations from 927 CE, which links Yatagarasu to through its association with the deity Kamo Taketsunumi, enshrined at in , with mythological ties to events in the Yamato region. The 's registry enumerates offerings to these sites, including Yatanokarasu Jinja, indirectly invoking Yatagarasu as an of the 's patron and thereby embedding the crow in institutional practices. Meanwhile, the (万葉集), an eighth-century anthology of poetry, alludes symbolically to divine omens and natural portents, including celestial birds, amid imperial themes, without developing full narratives. Over time, Yatagarasu evolved from a mythical guide in the early chronicles of the and to a enshrined deity by the Heian period (794–1185 CE), integrated into shrine worship at sites like the Kamo complex and emerging in ritual contexts as a protector and navigator. This shift reflects a transition in from epic storytelling to formalized religious symbolism, with the crow increasingly tied to imperial and shrine legitimacy in Heian-era documents and poetry.

Symbolism and Interpretations

As a Divine Guide and Messenger

In , Yatagarasu embodies the symbolism of divine guidance, representing heavenly direction during periods of uncertainty and turmoil. As a celestial envoy, it signifies the favor of deities such as , the sun goddess, or , a high-ranking creator god, who dispatched it to aid humanity in navigating challenges. This role underscores its function as a conduit for the gods' will, providing clarity and pathfinding in moments of disorientation, as seen in ancient narratives where it led figures through hostile terrains. The messenger aspect of Yatagarasu positions it as a holy creature whose manifestations convey signals of divine approval or cautionary interventions. In lore, its appearances affirm the legitimacy of imperial endeavors, as in the legend of , symbolizing endorsement from the gods. Within cosmology, Yatagarasu facilitates harmony between heaven and earth, acting as a bridge that aligns divine intent with human affairs. This auspicious entity contrasts sharply with the ominous connotations of ordinary crows in , which often portend misfortune or ill omens, thereby elevating Yatagarasu as a positive harbinger of prosperity and protection.

Astronomical and Solar Associations

In , Yatagarasu serves as a divine messenger dispatched by (in the Nihon Shoki) or (in the Kojiki), to aid during his eastward journey. This connection positions Yatagarasu as an extension of solar divinity, embodying the radiant and guiding essence of the sun within cosmology. The three-legged form of Yatagarasu carries profound symbolic weight in East Asian cosmology, often interpreted as representing the sun's daily phases—sunrise, , and sunset—to denote its cyclical journey across the sky. Alternatively, the legs signify heaven, earth, and humanity, illustrating cosmic stability and the harmonious integration of celestial, terrestrial, and human realms under solar influence. This motif, rooted in ancient Chinese lore as the Sanzuwu, underscores Yatagarasu's role as a stabilizing solar emblem. A notable astronomical interpretation links Yatagarasu to sunspots, where ancient Chinese astronomers viewed the dark markings on the sun as the of a inhabiting its core; this explanation was adopted in , enhancing the bird's solar identity. Such pre-modern views integrated mythological imagery with , portraying Yatagarasu not merely as a but as a visible in the heavens. During the Heian era (794–1185 CE), Yatagarasu appeared as a solar emblem in calendrical and astrological contexts, symbolizing divine solar order amid broader interests in star worship and cosmic divination, though it lacked a dedicated constellation. This usage reflected Japan's assimilation of East Asian astronomical traditions, where the crow motif reinforced interpretations of solar stability in seasonal and imperial calendars.

Modern Usage and Depictions

In Sports and National Symbols

The Yatagarasu serves as the official emblem of the (JFA), adopted in as a symbol of divine guidance for the national , drawing from its mythological role as a heavenly messenger. The motif in the logo represents unity among heaven, earth, and humanity, embodying themes of progress and strategic direction in Japanese sports. This emblem appears prominently on jerseys, flags, and decorations during international matches, reinforcing national identity in football. Beyond sports, the Yatagarasu features in national practices, particularly at the Kamo shrines in , where it symbolizes auspicious guidance in imperial and communal ceremonies. At , the annual Karasuzumo festival honors the shrine's crow associations through ritual wrestling performed by children, evoking the bird's protective spirit. These events, tied to ancient traditions, continue to integrate the Yatagarasu into modern cultural observances at sites like , blending spiritual heritage with contemporary national symbolism. In the post-World War II era, the Yatagarasu gained renewed prominence as a of hope and renewal during Japan's reconstruction, particularly through its association with the revitalized JFA and national sports initiatives in the 1950s and 1960s. This adoption helped promote themes of direction and unity amid societal rebuilding, aligning the mythical bird with forward-looking national narratives. In video games, Yatagarasu appears as a summonable Guardian Spirit in the action RPG (2017), providing players with benefits such as enhanced ranged attacks and is associated with the character Saika Magoichi. In the trading card game Yu-Gi-Oh!, Yata-Garasu is depicted as a winged beast monster card introduced in the Legacy of Darkness set (2003), known for its effect that returns it to the hand at the end of the turn it is summoned and skips the opponent's Draw Phase if it inflicts battle damage. In modern literature, the Yatagarasu fantasy by Chisato Abe, which began publication in 2012 and includes volumes like Tsuioku no Karasu (2021), continuing through multiple volumes into the 2020s, reimagines the as a transformative guide in a world of imperial intrigue and mythical birds inspired by Heian-era . In film and adaptations, such as the 2024 series Yatagarasu: The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master, the entity is portrayed as a race central to political mysteries and divine guidance in a fantastical . Public art depictions include statues at Kyoto's , where Yatagarasu symbolizes the shrine's founding deity, and contemporary installations in , such as Geoffrey Bouillot's 2025 acrylic painting evoking its guiding omen. In scientific namings, 9106 Yatagarasu, discovered on January 3, 1997, by Japanese Takao at the Ōizumi Observatory, honors the mythical crow as a symbol of celestial guidance within the main . While no active space missions bear the name as of 2025, Yatagarasu serves symbolically in Japanese astronomy , representing and solar mythology in educational materials about East Asian celestial lore.

References

  1. https://www.kokugakuin.ac.jp/en/article/145336
  2. https://www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db/en/R2-00214.html
  3. https://www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db/common/001563764.pdf
  4. https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Nihongi:_Chronicles_of_Japan_from_the_Earliest_Times_to_A.D._697/Book_III
  5. https://sacred-texts.com/shi/kj/kj053.htm
  6. https://www.shimogamo-jinja.or.jp/en/about
  7. https://www.nippon.com/en/guide-to-japan/gu900253/
  8. https://yokai.com/yatagarasu/
  9. https://www.90daykorean.com/korean-myths/
  10. https://mythlok.com/samjoko/
  11. https://www.sacred-texts.com/shi/kj/kj053.htm
  12. https://brill.com/display/book/9789004686458/BP000016.xml
  13. https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/87966/9789004686458.pdf
  14. https://www.greenshinto.com/2011/07/25/yatagarasu-the-three-legged-crow/
  15. https://en.japantravel.com/blog/karasu-the-divine-messenger/60270
  16. https://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/28-moon-stations.html
  17. https://criticalasianstudies.org/commentary/2022/12/10/commentary-or-porath-something-to-crow-about-why-is-the-japanese-football-team-logo-a-three-legged-crow
  18. https://nihowa.com/blogs/japan/yatagarasu
  19. https://logos.fandom.com/wiki/Japan_Football_Association
  20. https://www.kamigamojinja.jp/en/rituals/karasuzumo-wrestling-and-choyo-ritual/
  21. https://nioh.wiki.fextralife.com/Yatagarasu
  22. https://www.db.yugioh-card.com/yugiohdb/card_search.action?ope=2&cid=5375
  23. https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/culture/books-literature/20240816-205245/
  24. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32174340/
  25. https://en.japantravel.com/kyoto/kyoto-shimogamo-shrine/14517
  26. https://www.geoffreybouillot.com/works/yatagarasu
  27. https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/tools/sbdb_lookup.html#/?sstr=9106
  28. https://www.facebook.com/astronomerswithoutborders/photos/the-three-legged-crow-is-a-mythological-creature-present-in-different-cultures-a/823497446474559/
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