Kamuyaimimi

Kamuyaimimi
Bornunknown
DiedApril 4th
Yamato Province
FatherJimmu
MotherHimetataraisuzu-hime

Kamuyaimimi (神八井耳命), is a figure in Japanese mythology and one of the three brothers born to Emperor Jimmu and his wife Himetataraisuzu-hime.[1][2][3] He is best known for his role in the Assassination of Tagishimimi, in which he and his brother Suizei killed Tagishimimi in order to protect Suizei from assassination.[2]

According to the Kojiki, Kamuyaimi-no-Mikoto was the elder brother of Suizei, and would have been expected to ascend the throne as emperor according to the lineage. However, he passed the throne on to his younger brother, Suizei, instead. This was seen as a humble and selfless act, similar to the "oath of subordination" between the brothers Yamayukihiko and Umiyukihiko.[2]

Kamuyaimi-no-Mikoto is also connected to Aso Shrine, which is home to a deity named Takeban Ryujin (Taikei Watatsu). According to shrine lore, Takeban Ryujin is said to be a "child" of Kamuyaiminomikoto, and this is supported by the Kojiki, which states that "Aso-kun is a descendant of Kamuyaiminomikoto".[2] He was an ancestor of the Aso clan

In addition to his role in the Assassination of Tagishimimi, Kamuyaimi-no-Mikoto is also known for his courage and leadership. When the princes heard of Tagishimimi's plan to assassinate Suizei, Kamuyaimi-no-Mikoto immediately tried to kill Tagishimimi, but his limbs trembled and he was unable to do so. His younger brother, Kamununakahamiminomikoto, took his brother's weapon and went in to kill Tagishimimi instead.[2]

  1. ^ Norinaga Motoori (2007). The Poetics of Motoori Norinaga: A Hermeneutical Journey. University of Hawaii Press. p. 191. ISBN 978-0-8248-3078-6.
  2. ^ a b c d e "神八井耳命（カムヤイミミノミコト）". nihonsinwa.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  3. ^ "Book III", Nihongi: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to A.D. 697, Volume 1, retrieved 2023-03-09 (called Kami-ya-wi-mimi in this source)