Hikoyai

HikoyaiBornunknownDiedunknownYamato ProvinceFatherJimmuMotherHimetataraisuzu-hime

Hikoyai-no-Mikoto was a member of a Japanese imperial family according to the Kojiki. He was the eldest of three princes born to Empress Himetataraisuzu-hime on the banks of the Sakai River. He is not mentioned in the "Nihon Shoki" and is not known by any other name. Hikoyai-no-Mikoto's father was Emperor Jimmu, and his brothers were Kamuyaimimi and Emperor Suizei. 

After Jimmu died, Empress Himetataraisuzu-hime married Tagishimimi, her stepson. Tagishimimi tried to kill the brothers but was instead killed by Suizei, who became the second emperor. Hikoyai-no-Mikoto did not have an active role in the story and did not play a significant part in the narrative. This is common in Japanese mythology where some brothers do not play a major role.

 Family tree 
According to the Kojiki, Hikoyai-no-Mikoto was the son of Jimmu, who was the first emperor of Japan, and Himetataraisuzu-hime, the daughter of Omononushi no Mikoto.

However, Hikoyai-no-Mikoto's name is not mentioned in the Nihon Shoki. In other sources, such as the Shinsen Seijiroku, the Ibarada-ren article of the Ukyo Emperor, and the "Aso Family Brief Genealogical Record," there is a different theory that suggests he is the son of Kamiyai-mimi-no-mikoto. Interestingly, Hikoyai-mikoto's name does not appear in the "Aso Genealogy" or the "Monzan Genealogy" found in the 16th volume of the "Shoshu Keifu."Hoga Hisao, "Chapter 2: Imperial Clans, Section 1: The Many Clans", Ancient Clans Genealogical Collection, Vol. 1, Ancient Clans Study Group, 1986, p. 210.

The "Shinsen Shōjiroku" commissioned by Emperor Saga and the "" have a different theory that suggests Hikoyai was the son of Kamuyaimimi, as opposed to the previously mentioned belief that he was the son of Himetataraisuzu-hime and Jimmu.「日子八井命」『日本古代氏族人名辞典 普及版』吉川弘文館、2010年。

 Notes 

 The son of Emperor Jimmu . He is the elder brother of the second Emperor Suizei.
 According to "Kojiki", Emperor Jimmu was enthroned and married to Himetataraisuzu , and their three sons were Hikoyai, Kamuyaimimi, and Suizei.
 There are also three sons ( Hoseri , Hosuseri , and Hoori ), and the youngest child succeeds to the throne. Only two of the three sons have appeared, and one is ignored.
 According to Japanese mythology, there were three sons earlier named Hoseri, Hosuseri, and Hoori, and the youngest of them succeeded to the throne. However, only two of the three brothers are mentioned in mythological accounts, and the third brother is often ignored. This story is similar to the tale of Hikoyai Kamuyaimimi and Jimmu. 
 Hikoyai-no-Mikoto is the forefather of the Ibarata Ren and Teshima Ren..
 At Aso Shrine located in Kumamoto, Hikoyai-no-Mikoto is worshipped as Kokuryu Myojin (Yoshimi-jin). He is believed to be the father of Asotsu-hime-mei and the grandfather of Takeiwatatsu-no-Mikoto, who was the son of Kamuyaimimi-no-Mikoto..

 References 

Category:Japanese princes and princesses