Takeiwatatsu-no-Mikoto

is a Japanese god (kami). He is worshipped at Aso Shrine in . He is the son of Kamuyaimimi and the grandson of Emperor Jimmu, the first emperor of Japan.Ponsonby-Fane, Shrines, pp. 480-484. He is the main god (Oyagami) of the .

He is an agriculture god. People in Aso believed they could not grow crops until he taught them how.

 Mythological background 
Aso Shrine is dedicated to Takeiwatatsu-no-Mikoto (健磐龍命). Legends say he was the nephew of Emperor Suizei, the second emperor.Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1959). The Imperial House of Japan, p. 29. While Jimmu was building his palace in Yamato,Ponsonby-Fane, Imperial House, p. 28; Unebiyama-no Ushitora-no-sumi-no misasagi (Unebi Goryō, tomb of Emperor Jimmu). Takeiwatatsu was sent to Aso. There he helped start farming villages and later built a palace in Miyagi.Ponsonby-Fane, Shrines, pp. 480-484.

 Creation of Aso 
Long ago, the Aso caldera was a big lake. Takeiwatatsu kicked open the west side of the  at Tateno, and the water flowed out. Because he fell down from the effort, the name “Tateno” means “cannot stand up.” After the water drained, a giant catfish appeared. Stories say the catfish later became linked to Kashima-jingū.

 The legend of Kihachi 

 Aso family 
The Aso family are believed to be descendants of Takeiwatatsu. The head priest role of Aso Shrine passes from father to son. The Aso family became a strong samurai clan in the 11th century and ruled much of Kumamoto until the 16th century. They built many branch shrines—about 500 still exist today. Koreyuki Aso was the 91st chief priest, and his son became the 92nd.

 Festivals 
The U-no-matsuri (卯の祭) is held for 13 days every March. It welcomes spring and prays for rice planting. Priests perform music and dances to honor Takeiwatatsu-no-Mikoto. At the same time, the Tazukuri Matsuri (田作り祭り) and the Daihimonjiyaki (大火文字焼き) are also celebrated.

Related pages

 List of Shinto shrines
 Isotakeru-no-kami
Notes

References
 Iwao, Seiichi, Teizō Iyanaga, Susumu Ishii and Shôichirô Yoshida. (2002).  Dictionnaire historique du Japon. Paris: Maisonneuve & Larose. ; OCLC 51096469
 Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1959).  The Imperial House of Japan. Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society. OCLC 194887
 Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1962).  Studies in Shinto and Shrines. Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society. OCLC 213796577

Other websites

  Aso shrine
  Aso city home page
  Aso shrine, images
 Kyushu Tourist: Aso Shinre, images
 Kumamoto University: University Library, Aso manuscript collection
 Hi-taki no shinji
 Hi-taki no shinji

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Category:Gods and goddesses of Japan