Takeru Yamato: Mythical Hero of Japan

Yamato Takeru-ヤマトタケル (Takeru Yamato from hereon) was a mythical Japanese hero. He is known for battling rebels and demons during the early periods of the Japanese Imperial States. Please note all images are clickable links returning to their sources. Also a podcast (which is almost the same) is embedded at the bottom of this page. Thanks for reading!

Setting the Stage for Japan’s Future Warrior Class

The story of Takeru Yamato begins way before his birth with the 10th emperor of Japan, Sujin. Emperor Sujin’s reign has been conventionally attributed to 97 BC – 30 BC. Other sources have him living in the first or fourth century CE. Due to the lack of accurate records details can get a little murky. The records that do exist have him living to be a cozy 119 years old at the time of his death. Emperor Suijin is best known for appointing the first shoguns (chief military commanders). This invention helped to set the stage for Takeru’s exploits as well as the rise of the samurai class later down the line.

Takeru’s father Emperor Keiko has very limited information available and what is available is often conflicting. He is known for expanding the borders of the empire. But take this with a grain of salt- he is also said to have lived to be 142 years old.

The Beginning of Takeru Yamato’s Story

Takeru Yamato was born sometime around 72 CE. The Nihon Shoki describes him as, “When he was young, he had a warlike spirit, and when he was grown, his appearance was extremely notable, his stature was 3.3 meters, and his power was such that he could lift a giant bronze cauldron.”[unquote].

Details on Takeru Yamato’s life are sparse so his story begins when he was a young man, about 15 years old. One day his family sat down to have their daily family dinner. Takeru’s elder brother did not come to join the family meal. After a few more days of missed meals Takeru called upon him, but still he did not join. Several days later the emperor then asked about his elder brother and if Takeru had taught him a lesson yet. Takeru replied that he has indeed taught him a lesson and the emperor asked how he went about giving the lesson. Takeru then replied, “In the early morning when he went into the privy, I grasped hold of him and crushed him, and, pulling off his limbs, wrapped them in matting and flung them away.” The text says nothing else of the matter.

His father noticed his warring ways and violent energy sent him away to help establish order among some of the other provinces. Takeru was to first travel to Kumaso and Izumo Province, which in contemporary times are Kyushu and Shimane Prefectures of Japan. He was about 16 years old at the time when his father asked him to embark on this endeavor.

Pacifying the Rebels (part 1)

On Takeru’s first journeys he used trickery and requested the aid of the best archer in the empire along with several others to help him to accomplish his missions.In Kumaso he arrived in the village of Chieftain Kawakami no Takeru who had shown opposition to his father Emperor Keikou. After arriving in the village he found that the Chieftain Kawakami’s house was heavily guarded as was a nearby cave that was preparing a banquet in his honor. People were buzzing about inside in preparation for a great feast. Takeru disguised himself as a maiden and entered the house and hung out with the women.

The Nihonshoki states, “Kawakami appreciated this young girl’s figure, and therefore led her by the hand to the same seat, and raising his cup made her drink, and was amused by her entertainment.”

After the chieftain and his compatriots were drunk Takeru revealed his sword and stabbed another one of the rebels in the chest. Kawakami jumped up from his seat and began to flee. Takeru thrust the sword into his buttocks. Kawakami asked that the sword not be removed because he had something to say before dying. Then Kawakami asked the name of his killer and upon finding out he was the prince he renamed him.

“Kawakami said humbly, “I am the strongest and most powerful in this country. Therefore up to this time many people have failed to win against my aggressive force, and no one can match me. I have met many strong warriors, but not yet one like this prince. If this worthless rebel’s coarse mouth to offers up a title, will you allow it?”

Takeru Yamato said, “I will permit it.”

Then he said humbly, “From hereon, the prince ought to be called, Yamato Takeru no Miko.” After he had finished speaking he passed the sword through his chest and killed him. Therefore up to now, he is called Yamato Takeru no Mikoto, this is the reason.”

After Kawakami’s death Takeru’s compatriots revealed themselves and slayed everyone at the banquet.

Pacifying the Rebels (part 2)

He he had one more stop to make before heading back to the capital. In the Izumo province he met another chieftain. Rather than attack him Takeru befriended him. As their friendship grew he was able to get closer and closer to the chieftain. During this time Takeru secretly fashioned a wooden sword and began carrying it around concealed in a sheath. One day Takeru invited the Chieftain to bathe with him. While bathing Takeru proposed that they trade swords as a sign of friendship. The Chieftain agreed thinking he had secured an imperial ally. After bathing Takeru challenged him to a friendly duel with their new swords. As the duel began the chieftain quickly realized the sword was wooden and was then slayed by his own blade wielded by Takeru. After finishing the task Takeru sang an ode to the violent deed:

“Alas that the sword girded on the Idzumo bravo, and wound round with many a creeper, should have had no true blade!”.

Return to the Capital (Nihon-Shoki)

In the Nihon-shoki, Takeru returns with great praise from his father. He bids him to continue his great work by pacifying the barbarian tribes to the east. In a long winded monologue Emperor Keikou states the following:

“I hear the eastern barbarians’ character is violent and strong, and are wholly maliciously criminal, ther hamlets have no chief, their villages no leaders, each is greedy of their territory, and they steal from and attack each other. Also their mountains have perverse gods, and their suburbs have noisy demons, they barricade the highways and block the passes, and make much hardship for the people.

Within these eastern barbarians, the Emishi are especially strong, the men and women live in common, and paternal relations are not distinct. In the winter they stay in holes, and in the summer dwell in nests, they are clothed in hides and drink blood, and even brothers suspect each other. Climbing mountains they fly like birds, and going in the grass they run like dogs.

They forget past favors, but upon seeing hatred they always revenge themselves. They hide arrows in the hair of their head, and knives within their clothing, and evildoers gather and attack the borderlands, and they wait on the harvest to attack the people. When they attack they hide in the grass, and when they flee they run into the mountains. Therefore since ancient times, they still have no system of kingship.

Now I see you have become a man, your body tall and large, your stature proper, your power can carry a bronze kettle, your bravery is like lightning, no enemy can stand in the direction you face, and the place you attack you will certainly have victory. By this it is known that you are my son, and you are a divine human. Truly, heaven sympathizes with our foolishness and the country is in unrest, will you put into order this heavenly endeavor, and not cease in revering the court?

Also this realm is your realm, and this position is your position. I wish you to deeply plan your tact, and seek out the noisy, examine the rebellious, show them this power, use the virtue of conciliation, do not bother with warrior’s armor, and naturally institute vassalage. Use clever words to appease the violent gods, and martial force to break the noisy demons.”

Takeru accepts the mission and heads east.

Return to the Capital (Kojiki)

In stark contrast in the Kojiki Takeru returns hoping for praise and honors from his father. Instead he was greeted coldly and given the task of pacifying the east without the long winded speech given in the Nihon-Shoki.

The Great Shrine of Ise and the Mythical Sword

Before leaving Takeru visited his aunt the high priestess of the Great Shrine of Ise. He arrived depressed and confessed to his aunt, “It must surely be that the Heavenly Sovereign thinks I may die quickly; for after sending me to smite the wicked people of the West, I am no sooner come up again [to the capital] than, without bestowing on me an army, he now sends me off afresh to pacify the wicked people of the twelve circuits of the East. Consequently I think that he certainly thinks I shall die quickly.”. Takeru burst into tears fearing an untimely death. His aunt, seeing his fear, bestowed on him a mythical sword. The “Heavenly Sword of Gathering Clouds,” was given to help aid him on this journey. She also gave him a bag and told him not to open it until he was in dire need.

Susano and the Sword of Heavenly Sword of Gathering Clouds

The sword’s history is deeply rooted in the origins of Japan and its primordial deities. The son of the original deities ruling over the world, Izanagi and Izanami, was Susano: the god of storms and the sea. He is quite often referenced as the “impetuous male.” At his birth he wailed for his mother. This is what we would now deem to be thunder. He wailed so hard and for so long that his father banished him to the underworld for a time. The older Susano was a moody god who in a fit of rage would hurl thunderbolts across the heavens. Once when we was particularly angered he threw a dead horse at his little sister Amaterasu, the goddess of the sun and the universe. This event led her to go into hiding and caused a very long winter for the people of Japan. It was Susano who discovered “Heavenly Sword of Gathering Clouds” that would eventually find its way into the hands of Takeru Yamada.

Susano and the Serpent

In the province of Izumo Susano came across a grieving family. He learned of the existence of a giant serpent that had eaten seven of the families eight daughters. The serpent had eight heads and eight tails. The tails filled up eight valleys and on its back grew great forests; both protecting the serpent and hiding it.

This serpent had a taste for fine maidens and sake (a japanese rice wine). Susano, wishing to slay the beast, laid a trap for it. He used a beautiful young maiden (the last remaining daughter of the aforementioned family) as bait and placed her on a raised platform. He then had eight gates constructed leading to the platform. Below the maiden, but also raised, he placed giant barrels of sake. The serpent took the bait. It had no interest in the young maiden, but its heads quickly rushed into each gate to drink from the barrels of sake.

After it had become drunk Susano lept from his hiding place and hacked off the heads of the serpent. Susano then began cutting up the body and tails of the giant creature. In the fourth tail of the serpent Susano’s sword shattered upon hitting a metal object. Susano dug into the meat and found the Heavenly Sword of Gathering Clouds. He married the young maiden he had used for bait and he gave the sword to his sister Amaterasu. This sword was used to settle the grievance of him throwing a dead horse at her.

The sword was eventually placed in the Great Shrine of Ise and given to Takeru to aid him on his journeys. The sword still forms one of the three Imperial Treasures of Japan. These treasures haven’t been seen by common people for hundreds of years. Laypeople may have a chance to glimpse them in packaging when the new emperor is crowned this upcoming year (2019).

Takeru Travels East

From the shrine Takeru traveled east stopping once in the land of Wohari. He entered into the house of Princess Miyadzu and stayed a short period of time. He decided that he would marry her upon his return journey. From there he departed eastward again cutting down rebels and deities as they appeared. The texts are really vague here and there is not a lot of information on how he went about this mission until he arrived in Sagamu. The regional governor of the land fear Takeru and despised the emperor an hatched a plan to kill Takeru.

The Origins of “Kusanagi”

He asked Takeru for his help stating, “In the middle of this moor is a great lagoon, and the Deity that dwells in the middle of the lagoon is a very violent Deity.” In other versions the regional governor states that the area is known for its great hunting and asks Takeru to bring back a freshly killed deer or boar to feast upon. Takeru made his way toward the moor but upon entering the great grassy field the governor’s men set fire to the field. Takeru became trapped by the flames. Remembering his aunt’s words he opened the bag.

Inside was a tool used to stomp out fires. Takeru used the mythological sword to cut away grass and the tool to stomp out the fires around him. He quickly realized that the sword, when thrust like a scythe, generated a great gust of wind. Takeru began swinging the sword forcing the flames back toward the governor’s men until they were eventually consumed by the flames. Takeru escaped and avenged their plot by killing all the rulers of the land. The sword was then renamed to be “Kusanagi.” translated as “grass cutting sword.”

Searching for the Emishi

Takeru then headed toward the sea in search of the Emishi. Upon arriving at the shore he laughed at the channel they had to cross stating, “This sea is tiny, I could almost jump across.” He and his companions then set sail. Soon after a storm arrived causing the sea to swell and toss the boat about. Takeru’s consort, Princess Tachibana, then sacrificed herself to ease the waves and allow Takeru to continue on his mission. Before entering the sea she said,

“Now the wind generates waves, and the prince’s boat is going to sink, this is certainly the will of the sea god Watatsumi. I want you to take my feeble body and for the prince’s mission throw it into the sea.”

The winds died down and Takeru continued on his journey.

The Emishi and the Port of Taka

At the port of Taka an army of Emishi awaited the arrival of the emperor’s men. Upon seeing Takeru the Emishi trembled with fear. Instead of fighting they threw down their weapons, entered the sea and helped Takeru’s boat to shore in safety. They then tied their hands and surrendered to Takeru without bloodshed. Thus they survived and faced no recompense for their previous actions. Others Emishi in the area continued their rebellion against the emperor. Takeru traveled through the land slaying them whenever he found them.

The Summit of Ashigara Pass

He traveled through the lands of the Emishi eventually rising to a summit along Ashigara pass. He decided this was a good place to stop and rest for awhile. A mountain god saw him resting and decided to pester the prince and sent an inquisitive deer to try and steal his food. Takeru threw a piece of garlic at the deer hitting it in the eye. The deer instantly died. A heavy fog fell over the mountain. From somewhere in the mist a white dog appeared and led Takeru out of the fog to safety. Before the arrival of Takeru’s the mountain had been known for its fog. Sickness was attributed to the thick fog that enshrouded the mountain. After Takeru Yamato’s arrival the people began chewing and then rubbing garlic on themselves and their animals for safe passage over the mountain.

Returning Home and Deity of Mount Ibuki

Takeru then began his journey homeward. He returned to the Land of Wohari and wed Princess Miyadzu. He stayed there for one month before hearing of a local deity causing problems: the diety of Mount Ibuki. Takeru left his mythical sword in the princess’ house and decided to take on the deity with his bare hands. In the Kojiki, Takeru came across a giant white boar. The boar was said to be the size of a full grown cow. In the Nihon-Shoki it is a giant serpent. Takeru thought that this creature must be a messenger of the deity and that he would kill it on his return journey. The creature was actually the deity in disguise. After Takeru has passed the creature and climbed higher up the mountain the deity sent forth a hail storm. The hail pummeled Takeru until he fled to the base of the mountain a broken man.

The Death of Takeru Yamato

His wounds were serious but he tried to travel back to the capital one last time to see his father. He never returned home to his wife. Along the way home he fell even more ill and finally died. The Nihon-Shoki tells the tale of his death in the following passage:

“I received the order of the imperial court, to counquer the far-away eastern barbarians. Thereby I prayed for the god’s favor, and depended on the Emperor’s power, and the rebels were made surrender for their sin, and the violent gods naturally appeased. Then wrapping up my armor and staying my halberd, with heart at ease I came back. My wish was always someday, sometime, to report back to the imperial court. However, suddenly the life allotted by heaven has come to an end, and it cannot be stayed any more than a cart by a crack in the road. Now I lie down alone in this field, with no one to speak to. How can I regret dying, rather I regret that I could meet you again.”

In the Kojiki his final words were, “”The sabre-sword which I placed at the maiden’s bed-side, alas! that sword!”” After his death a messenger was dispatched to his wife and children as well as the Emperor. Takeru was 30 years old at the time of his death.

Burial of Takeru Yamato

The Kojiki says nothing in regards to the emperor. It does mention Takeru’s wife and children lamented his death and built a mausoleum at the place of his death. The Nihon-Shoki painted the death of Takeru quite differently, particularly by Emperor Keikou:

“When the Emperor heard this, he could not sleep soundly, and food lost its flavor, and he wailed day and night, and cried in sadness, and beat his breast. Then he said with great mourning, “My son Imperial Prince Ousu, previously in the day of the Kumaso rebels, he was still not of the age to tie up his hair, and long he labored to conquer, and since then was by my side, supporting me in what I could not do. However the noisy action of the eastern barbarians, there was no on to send to attack them. Hiding my love he was sent to the rebel frontier, and not one day passed when I did not think of him. The morning and night did not proceed, and I waited for the day of his return. What disaster is this? What crime? In the space of not even thinking, my child is lost. From now on, with whom will we manage the realm?”

Life after Death

Both version find a unified ending after the burial of Takeru Yamato. After the burial a giant white crane escaped from the mausoleum and flew off into the sky. The mausoleum was checked and only Takeru’s clothes remained. At each place the bird stopped to rest a shrine was built in honor of Takeru Yamato. Finally the bird took flight into the heavens never to be seen again.

Takeru Yamato in Social Artefacts

The tale of the historical/mythical Takeru Yamato ended but his image lingers on. Takeru Yamato’s image has been used to help generate a national identity. It has also been used to inspire others to give their lives in battle to honor the emperor. In World War 2 Takeru was used to represent the ideal loyal subject. Scholars after the war have shown how the idea of Takeru has helped to crystalize pre-imperial Japan in the public consciousness. Takeru Yamato has also found his way into contemporary media including, anime, novels, and movies.

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Podcast video (Youtube)

Links to the primary texts (open source links):

The Kojiki (link to primary text)

The Nihon Shoki (primary text)