| Miyazu-hime | |
|---|---|
| Major cult centre | Atsuta Shrine |
| Genealogy | |
| Parents |
|
| Spouse | Yamato Takeru |
Miyazu-hime the wife of Yamato Takeru was a member of the Owari clan.[1] She is a kami of Atsuta Shrine.[2]
According to legend she is buried in Danpusan Kofun.[3]
The Owari clan is a Japanese clan. The clan were originally Kuni no miyatsuko but after the abolition of the role they took on a priestly role at Atsuta Shrine, they share this history with the Izumo clan of Izumo-taisha, the Aso clan of Aso Shrine, the Munakata clan of Munakata Taisha,[4] and the Yamato clan of Ōyamato Shrine.
The "Daijingu engi" records show that during Emperor Temmu's time, the divine sword was returned to the palace. Seven guardians were then appointed to oversee its worship. These guardians were linked to Miyazu-hime and Takeinatane.[1]
According to traditional sources, Yamato Takeru died in the 43rd year of Emperor Keiko's reign (景行天皇43年, equivalent 113 AD).[5] The possessions of the dead prince were gathered together along with the sword Kusanagi; and his widow Miyazu-hime venerated his memory in a shrine at her home. Sometime later, these relics and the sacred sword were moved to the current location of the Atsuta Shrine.[6]
Nihonshoki explains that this move occurred in the 51st year of Keiko's reign, but shrine tradition also dates this event in the 1st year of Emperor Chūai's reign.[7] The Owari clan established the Atsuta Shrine in 192, and held the position of the shrine's high priest since ancient times, passing it down from generation to generation.[8] Yamato Takeru and Miyazu-hime and her brother Takeinadane are worshipped at the shrine.[2]
When Miyazu-hime died, a shrine was set up in her honor in Hikami. Her clan members became priests there. Inatane, the eleventh descendant of Amenohoakari, founded the Owari clan. As a result, Atsuta Myojin became the Owari clan's Ujigami.[1]
The shrine, originally a Betsugu, later became a Sessha. It was founded in the fourth year of Chtiai (195), about 80 years after Yamato Takeru no Mikoto's death. Miyazu-hime was young when she knew Yamato Takeru no Mikoto.[1]