# Yamatohime-no-mikoto

Yamatohime-no-mikoto (倭比売命 or 倭姫命) is a Japanese figure who is said to have established Ise Shrine, where the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu Omikami is enshrined. Yamatohime-no-mikoto is recorded as being the daughter of Emperor Suinin, Japan's 11th Emperor. (note that 'Yamatohime' is this figure's name; -no-mikoto is an honorific applied to the names of nobles or gods.)

## Traditional historical view

Legend says that about 2,000 years ago, Emperor Suinin ordered his daughter, Princess Yamatohime-no-mikoto, to set out and find a suitable permanent location from which to hold ceremonies for Amaterasu Ōmikami. Prior to this, Amaterasu Ōmikami had been worshiped within the Imperial Palace at Yamato, before a temporary location was created in the eastern Nara Basin. Yamatohime-no-mikoto is said to have set out from Mt. Miwa and wandered for 20 years through the regions of Ōmi and Mino in search of a suitable location.
The shrines she and her sister Toyosukiiri-hime [ja] brought Amaterasu through until Ise are called Moto-Ise Shrines [ja]
When she arrived at Ise, she is said to have heard the voice of Amaterasu Ōmikami saying that she wanted to live forever in the richly abundant area of Ise, near the mountains and the sea, and it was here that Yamatohime-no-mikoto established Naiku, the Inner Shrine.
Jien records that during the reign of Emperor Suinin, the first High Priestess (Saiō, also known as saigū) was appointed to serve at Ise Shrine.
Later, during the reign of Emperor Keikō, she gave her dress then holy sword Kusanagi-no-tsurugi to Yamato Takeru.

## Alternate historical perspectives

Some sources point out the parallels between Yamatohime-no-mikoto and Queen Himiko, a female ruler of Japan referred to in 3rd-century Chinese sources, namely the Records of Three Kingdoms and the Wajinden. Himiko was recorded as an unmarried queen and priestess, whose name means "sun child", or "sun daughter". Parallels can be drawn between Yamatohime-no-mikoto's role as both princess and priestess and the descriptions of Himiko, as well as the meaning of Himiko's name and that of the role of Yamatohime-no-mikoto as priestess and descendant of the sun goddess, or "daughter of the sun". Queen Himiko is recorded as having ruled the land of "Yamatai", whereas Yamatohime-no-mikoto left her home of Yamato to establish Ise Shrine.
The nature of Queen Himiko has been a point of great debate since the late Edo period, with other theories linking her with Empress Jingū or even a real person upon whom the myth of the sun goddess Amaterasu was built. As the earliest extant Japanese sources of information about Yamatohime-no-mikoto date from the Kojiki in the early 8th century, it remains difficult to see how the historical figure of Yamatohime-no-mikoto can be delineated in fuller depth or with a sense of better verified accuracy.

## Ceremonies

A Shinto ceremony is conducted on May 5 and November 5 each year at the sanctuary of Yamatohime-no-miya, near Ise Shrine, to celebrate the contribution of Yamatohime-no-mikoto in the establishment of the shrine.

## Genealogy

vteGenealogy of early Japanese emperors and empresses :
| | | | | | | Nunakawahime | Nunakawahime | Nunakawahime | Nunakawahime | Nunakawahime | Nunakawahime | | | | | Ōkuninushi$^{:278}$ (Ōnamuchi) | Ōkuninushi$^{:278}$ (Ōnamuchi) | Ōkuninushi$^{:278}$ (Ōnamuchi) | Ōkuninushi$^{:278}$ (Ōnamuchi) | Ōkuninushi$^{:278}$ (Ōnamuchi) | Ōkuninushi$^{:278}$ (Ōnamuchi) | | | | | Kamotaketsunumi no Mikoto | Kamotaketsunumi no Mikoto | Kamotaketsunumi no Mikoto | Kamotaketsunumi no Mikoto | Kamotaketsunumi no Mikoto | Kamotaketsunumi no Mikoto | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Kotoshironushi | Kotoshironushi | Kotoshironushi | Kotoshironushi | Kotoshironushi | Kotoshironushi | | | | | | | | | Tamakushi-hime | Tamakushi-hime | Tamakushi-hime | Tamakushi-hime | Tamakushi-hime | Tamakushi-hime | Takeminakata | Takeminakata | Takeminakata | Takeminakata | Takeminakata | Takeminakata | | | Susa Clan | Susa Clan | Susa Clan | Susa Clan | Susa Clan | Susa Clan |
| | | | | $^1$ Jimmu | $^1$ Jimmu | $^1$ Jimmu | $^1$ Jimmu | $^1$ Jimmu | $^1$ Jimmu | | | $^1$Himetataraisuzu-hime | $^1$Himetataraisuzu-hime | $^1$Himetataraisuzu-hime | $^1$Himetataraisuzu-hime | $^1$Himetataraisuzu-hime | $^1$Himetataraisuzu-hime | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Kamo no Okimi | Kamo no Okimi | Kamo no Okimi | Kamo no Okimi | Kamo no Okimi | Kamo no Okimi | | | Mirahime [ja] | Mirahime [ja] | Mirahime [ja] | Mirahime [ja] | Mirahime [ja] | Mirahime [ja] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $^2$ Suizei | $^2$ Suizei | $^2$ Suizei | $^2$ Suizei | $^2$ Suizei | $^2$ Suizei | | | $^2$Isuzuyori-hime | $^2$Isuzuyori-hime | $^2$Isuzuyori-hime | $^2$Isuzuyori-hime | $^2$Isuzuyori-hime | $^2$Isuzuyori-hime | | | Kamuyaimimi | Kamuyaimimi | Kamuyaimimi | Kamuyaimimi | Kamuyaimimi | Kamuyaimimi | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | $^3$ Annei | $^3$ Annei | $^3$ Annei | $^3$ Annei | $^3$ Annei | $^3$ Annei | | | | | | | | | 〔Ō clan〕 | 〔Ō clan〕 | 〔Ō clan〕 | 〔Ō clan〕 | 〔Ō clan〕 | 〔Ō clan〕 | | | 〔Aso clan〕 | 〔Aso clan〕 | 〔Aso clan〕 | 〔Aso clan〕 | 〔Aso clan〕 | 〔Aso clan〕 | | | | | $^3$ Nunasokonakatsu-hime | $^3$ Nunasokonakatsu-hime | $^3$ Nunasokonakatsu-hime | $^3$ Nunasokonakatsu-hime | $^3$ Nunasokonakatsu-hime | $^3$ Nunasokonakatsu-hime | | | Kamo clan | Kamo clan | Kamo clan | Kamo clan | Kamo clan | Kamo clan | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Takakuraji | Takakuraji | Takakuraji | Takakuraji | Takakuraji | Takakuraji | | | | | | | | | | | | | Miwa clan | Miwa clan | Miwa clan | Miwa clan | Miwa clan | Miwa clan | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | $^4$ Itoku | $^4$ Itoku | $^4$ Itoku | $^4$ Itoku | $^4$ Itoku | $^4$ Itoku | | | | | | | | | Ikisomimi no mikoto [ja] | Ikisomimi no mikoto [ja] | Ikisomimi no mikoto [ja] | Ikisomimi no mikoto [ja] | Ikisomimi no mikoto [ja] | Ikisomimi no mikoto [ja] | | | Ame no Murakumo [ja] | Ame no Murakumo [ja] | Ame no Murakumo [ja] | Ame no Murakumo [ja] | Ame no Murakumo [ja] | Ame no Murakumo [ja] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $^4$Amatoyotsuhime no Mikoto [ja] | $^4$Amatoyotsuhime no Mikoto [ja] | $^4$Amatoyotsuhime no Mikoto [ja] | $^4$Amatoyotsuhime no Mikoto [ja] | $^4$Amatoyotsuhime no Mikoto [ja] | $^4$Amatoyotsuhime no Mikoto [ja] | | | Amaoshio no mikoto [ja] | Amaoshio no mikoto [ja] | Amaoshio no mikoto [ja] | Amaoshio no mikoto [ja] | Amaoshio no mikoto [ja] | Amaoshio no mikoto [ja] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | $^5$ Emperor Kōshō | $^5$ Emperor Kōshō | $^5$ Emperor Kōshō | $^5$ Emperor Kōshō | $^5$ Emperor Kōshō | $^5$ Emperor Kōshō | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $^5$Yosotarashi-hime | $^5$Yosotarashi-hime | $^5$Yosotarashi-hime | $^5$Yosotarashi-hime | $^5$Yosotarashi-hime | $^5$Yosotarashi-hime | | | | | | | | | Okitsu Yoso [ja] | Okitsu Yoso [ja] | Okitsu Yoso [ja] | Okitsu Yoso [ja] | Okitsu Yoso [ja] | Okitsu Yoso [ja] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | $^6$ Emperor Kōan | $^6$ Emperor Kōan | $^6$ Emperor Kōan | $^6$ Emperor Kōan | $^6$ Emperor Kōan | $^6$ Emperor Kōan | | | | | | | | | Prince Ameoshitarashi [ja] | Prince Ameoshitarashi [ja] | Prince Ameoshitarashi [ja] | Prince Ameoshitarashi [ja] | Prince Ameoshitarashi [ja] | Prince Ameoshitarashi [ja] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Owari clan | Owari clan | Owari clan | Owari clan | Owari clan | Owari clan | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $^6$Oshihime [ja] | $^6$Oshihime [ja] | $^6$Oshihime [ja] | $^6$Oshihime [ja] | $^6$Oshihime [ja] | $^6$Oshihime [ja] | | | 〔Wani clan〕 | 〔Wani clan〕 | 〔Wani clan〕 | 〔Wani clan〕 | 〔Wani clan〕 | 〔Wani clan〕 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | $^7$ Emperor Kōrei | $^7$ Emperor Kōrei | $^7$ Emperor Kōrei | $^7$ Emperor Kōrei | $^7$ Emperor Kōrei | $^7$ Emperor Kōrei | | | | | | | | | $^7$Kuwashi-hime | $^7$Kuwashi-hime | $^7$Kuwashi-hime | $^7$Kuwashi-hime | $^7$Kuwashi-hime | $^7$Kuwashi-hime | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | $^8$ Emperor Kōgen | $^8$ Emperor Kōgen | $^8$ Emperor Kōgen | $^8$ Emperor Kōgen | $^8$ Emperor Kōgen | $^8$ Emperor Kōgen | | | $^8$Utsushikome [ja] | $^8$Utsushikome [ja] | $^8$Utsushikome [ja] | $^8$Utsushikome [ja] | $^8$Utsushikome [ja] | $^8$Utsushikome [ja] | Princess Yamato Totohi Momoso | Princess Yamato Totohi Momoso | Princess Yamato Totohi Momoso | Princess Yamato Totohi Momoso | Princess Yamato Totohi Momoso | Princess Yamato Totohi Momoso | | | Kibitsuhiko-no-mikoto | Kibitsuhiko-no-mikoto | Kibitsuhiko-no-mikoto | Kibitsuhiko-no-mikoto | Kibitsuhiko-no-mikoto | Kibitsuhiko-no-mikoto | | | Wakatakehiko [ja] | Wakatakehiko [ja] | Wakatakehiko [ja] | Wakatakehiko [ja] | Wakatakehiko [ja] | Wakatakehiko [ja] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | $^9$Ikagashikome | $^9$Ikagashikome | $^9$Ikagashikome | $^9$Ikagashikome | $^9$Ikagashikome | $^9$Ikagashikome | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Hikofutsuoshi no Makoto no Mikoto [ja] | Hikofutsuoshi no Makoto no Mikoto [ja] | Hikofutsuoshi no Makoto no Mikoto [ja] | Hikofutsuoshi no Makoto no Mikoto [ja] | Hikofutsuoshi no Makoto no Mikoto [ja] | Hikofutsuoshi no Makoto no Mikoto [ja] | | | $^9$ Emperor Kaika | $^9$ Emperor Kaika | $^9$ Emperor Kaika | $^9$ Emperor Kaika | $^9$ Emperor Kaika | $^9$ Emperor Kaika | | | | | | | | | Prince Ohiko [ja] | Prince Ohiko [ja] | Prince Ohiko [ja] | Prince Ohiko [ja] | Prince Ohiko [ja] | Prince Ohiko [ja] | | | | | | | | | | | 〔Kibi clan〕 | 〔Kibi clan〕 | 〔Kibi clan〕 | 〔Kibi clan〕 | 〔Kibi clan〕 | 〔Kibi clan〕 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Yanushi Otake Ogokoro no Mikoto [ja] | Yanushi Otake Ogokoro no Mikoto [ja] | Yanushi Otake Ogokoro no Mikoto [ja] | Yanushi Otake Ogokoro no Mikoto [ja] | Yanushi Otake Ogokoro no Mikoto [ja] | Yanushi Otake Ogokoro no Mikoto [ja] | | | $^{10}$ Emperor Sujin | $^{10}$ Emperor Sujin | $^{10}$ Emperor Sujin | $^{10}$ Emperor Sujin | $^{10}$ Emperor Sujin | $^{10}$ Emperor Sujin | | | | | | | | | $^{10}$Mimaki-hime | $^{10}$Mimaki-hime | $^{10}$Mimaki-hime | $^{10}$Mimaki-hime | $^{10}$Mimaki-hime | $^{10}$Mimaki-hime | | | 〔Abe clan〕 | 〔Abe clan〕 | 〔Abe clan〕 | 〔Abe clan〕 | 〔Abe clan〕 | 〔Abe clan〕 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Takenouchi no Sukune | Takenouchi no Sukune | Takenouchi no Sukune | Takenouchi no Sukune | Takenouchi no Sukune | Takenouchi no Sukune | | | $^{11}$ Emperor Suinin | $^{11}$ Emperor Suinin | $^{11}$ Emperor Suinin | $^{11}$ Emperor Suinin | $^{11}$ Emperor Suinin | $^{11}$ Emperor Suinin | | | $^{11}$Saho-hime | $^{11}$Saho-hime | $^{11}$Saho-hime | $^{11}$Saho-hime | $^{11}$Saho-hime | $^{11}$Saho-hime | | | | | $^{12}$Hibasu-hime [ja] | $^{12}$Hibasu-hime [ja] | $^{12}$Hibasu-hime [ja] | $^{12}$Hibasu-hime [ja] | $^{12}$Hibasu-hime [ja] | $^{12}$Hibasu-hime [ja] | | | | | | | Yasaka Iribiko | Yasaka Iribiko | Yasaka Iribiko | Yasaka Iribiko | Yasaka Iribiko | Yasaka Iribiko | | | | | | | | | Toyosukiiri-hime [ja] | Toyosukiiri-hime [ja] | Toyosukiiri-hime [ja] | Toyosukiiri-hime [ja] | Toyosukiiri-hime [ja] | Toyosukiiri-hime [ja] | Nunaki-iri-hime [ja] | Nunaki-iri-hime [ja] | Nunaki-iri-hime [ja] | Nunaki-iri-hime [ja] | Nunaki-iri-hime [ja] | Nunaki-iri-hime [ja] |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Yamatohime-no-mikoto | Yamatohime-no-mikoto | Yamatohime-no-mikoto | Yamatohime-no-mikoto | Yamatohime-no-mikoto | Yamatohime-no-mikoto | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Yamatohime-no-mikoto | Yamatohime-no-mikoto | Yamatohime-no-mikoto | Yamatohime-no-mikoto | Yamatohime-no-mikoto | Yamatohime-no-mikoto | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 〔Katsuragi clan〕 | 〔Katsuragi clan〕 | 〔Katsuragi clan〕 | 〔Katsuragi clan〕 | 〔Katsuragi clan〕 | 〔Katsuragi clan〕 | $^{13}$Harima no Inabi no Ōiratsume [ja] | $^{13}$Harima no Inabi no Ōiratsume [ja] | $^{13}$Harima no Inabi no Ōiratsume [ja] | $^{13}$Harima no Inabi no Ōiratsume [ja] | $^{13}$Harima no Inabi no Ōiratsume [ja] | $^{13}$Harima no Inabi no Ōiratsume [ja] | | | | | $^{12}$ Emperor Keiko | $^{12}$ Emperor Keiko | $^{12}$ Emperor Keiko | $^{12}$ Emperor Keiko | $^{12}$ Emperor Keiko | $^{12}$ Emperor Keiko | | | | | | | | | | | | | $^{14}$Yasakairi-hime [ja] | $^{14}$Yasakairi-hime [ja] | $^{14}$Yasakairi-hime [ja] | $^{14}$Yasakairi-hime [ja] | $^{14}$Yasakairi-hime [ja] | $^{14}$Yasakairi-hime [ja] | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Otoyo no mikoto [ja] | Otoyo no mikoto [ja] | Otoyo no mikoto [ja] | Otoyo no mikoto [ja] | Otoyo no mikoto [ja] | Otoyo no mikoto [ja] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Futaji Irihime [ja] | Futaji Irihime [ja] | Futaji Irihime [ja] | Futaji Irihime [ja] | Futaji Irihime [ja] | Futaji Irihime [ja] | | | Yamato Takeru | Yamato Takeru | Yamato Takeru | Yamato Takeru | Yamato Takeru | Yamato Takeru | | | Miyazu-hime | Miyazu-hime | Miyazu-hime | Miyazu-hime | Miyazu-hime | Miyazu-hime | | | Takeinadane [ja] | Takeinadane [ja] | Takeinadane [ja] | Takeinadane [ja] | Takeinadane [ja] | Takeinadane [ja] | Ioki Iribiko | Ioki Iribiko | Ioki Iribiko | Ioki Iribiko | Ioki Iribiko | Ioki Iribiko | $^{13}$Emperor Seimu | $^{13}$Emperor Seimu | $^{13}$Emperor Seimu | $^{13}$Emperor Seimu | $^{13}$Emperor Seimu | $^{13}$Emperor Seimu | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $^{14}$Emperor Chūai | $^{14}$Emperor Chūai | $^{14}$Emperor Chūai | $^{14}$Emperor Chūai | $^{14}$Emperor Chūai | $^{14}$Emperor Chūai | | | $^{15}$Empress Jingū | $^{15}$Empress Jingū | $^{15}$Empress Jingū | $^{15}$Empress Jingū | $^{15}$Empress Jingū | $^{15}$Empress Jingū | | | | | | | | | | | Homuda Mawaka | Homuda Mawaka | Homuda Mawaka | Homuda Mawaka | Homuda Mawaka | Homuda Mawaka | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $^{15}$Emperor Ōjin | $^{15}$Emperor Ōjin | $^{15}$Emperor Ōjin | $^{15}$Emperor Ōjin | $^{15}$Emperor Ōjin | $^{15}$Emperor Ōjin | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $^{16}$Nakatsuhime | $^{16}$Nakatsuhime | $^{16}$Nakatsuhime | $^{16}$Nakatsuhime | $^{16}$Nakatsuhime | $^{16}$Nakatsuhime | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $^{16}$Emperor Nintoku | $^{16}$Emperor Nintoku | $^{16}$Emperor Nintoku | $^{16}$Emperor Nintoku | $^{16}$Emperor Nintoku | $^{16}$Emperor Nintoku | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |