Divine Warrior: The Life and Legend of Yamato Takeru

Divine Warrior: The Life and Legend of Yamato Takeru

Yamato Takeru is a name strongly associated with bravery and heroism in Japanese folklore. Renowned for his daring exploits and unstoppable spirit, Yamato’s life was one of remarkable adventures and unbelievable battles. Yamato didn’t just slay his kingdom’s enemies; he traveled to foreign lands and battled the gods themselves. Yet, from his earliest days, Yamato’s life was also touched by tragedy, exiled from the land he loved. For many people, he embodies the ideals of a true hero, and today he is worshiped as a deity across Japan. His story is a mixture of historical fact, folklore, and religious tale, making for something truly extraordinary.

Yamato Takeru- Japan’s Tragic Hero-The Young Prince

Originally called Prince Ōsu, Yamato Takeru is one of Japanese mythology’s most celebrated figures. The son of Emperor Keikō, the 12th Emperor of Japan, his early life was marked by extraordinary courage, martial prowess, and wisdom. Regarded by some as the first ninja, Yamato Takeru quickly distinguished himself as a fierce warrior and brilliant tactician.

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The statue of Yamato Takeru at Kenroku-en (Public Domain)

Yamato Takeru’s story takes place at a point in Japanese history where myth, legend, and fact are often indistinguishable. The legends surrounding him claim he was born in the first century AD, during the reign of the Yamato kingdom. The only surviving sources we have that cover this period are legendary accounts that often claim the Yamato emperors routinely lived to be over 100 and regularly carried out impossible feats. 

Yamato’s extraordinary exploits are primarily documented in ancient texts such as the "Kojiki" (Records of Ancient Matters) and the "Nihon Shoki" (Chronicles of Japan). These texts portray him as a mighty warrior and a symbol of the Yamato dynasty's divine right to rule. While there is evidence that some of the events they described happened, such as certain victories, other events are fiction.

The Legends of Yamato Takeru

The tales surrounding Yamato Takeru are as fascinating as they are incredible. These tales highlight his extraordinary heroism and cunning and are worth reading in their entirety. Unfortunately, we don’t have space to cover them all here at length, but below are outlines of the key legends that surround him. 

For the most part, the legends below are the ones found in the Kojiki. The tales from the Nihon shoki are largely the same but feature a key difference. In the Nihon Shoki Yamato is never abandoned by his father and carries out his exploits voluntarily. In the Kojiki, he is abandoned by his father and is portrayed as more of a tragic hero than an unstoppable god killer.

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The Brother's Demise

One of the first tales surrounding Yamato Takeru involves a bit of fratricide. According to legend, Prince Ōsu first showed his fearsome nature at an early age by killing his elder brother. His reasons for doing so vary depending on the story’s source.

In some versions, the prince was tasked with reprimanding his older brother, who had disrespected their father. Apparently in Yamato Takeru’s book, this meant ripping his brother limb from limb. In more flattering versions, Yamato discovered his elder brother was plotting against their father and killed him out of loyalty to the emperor. 

Disguise and Deception: The Kumaso Conquest

Unfortunately for the young prince, killing his brother came with repercussions. His brutal killing was not only seen as a grave sin, but it also terrified the emperor. Not wanting to kill his son directly, the emperor instead sent Yamato to Izumo Province (Shimane Prefecture today) and then Kumaso (a mythical land) to put down rebellions. Kumaso wasn’t even 16 years old, and his father had sent him without aid on a suicide mission.

However, the young prince didn’t end the rebellion through warfare. The young man’s face was said to be so beautiful that he could pass as a maiden. He used this to his advantage and infiltrated a drinking party held by the Kumaso leader by dressing as a maid. 

Dressed as the maid, he approached to get close to his enemy and then stabbed him to death in front of the other partygoers. One of the onlookers was so impressed that he gave the young man the title Yamato Takeru, meaning The Brave of Yamato. This legend has been described as the first ninja story.

Yamato Takeru dressed as a maidservant, preparing to kill the Kumaso leaders. Woodblock print on paper. Yoshitoshi, 1886. (Public Domain)

The Sacred Sword: Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi 

On his way home from putting down the Kumaso rebellion, Yamato is said to have killed several deities who threatened his father's kingdom. Upon arriving home, however, he soon learned that these victories had done little to convince his father that his son wasn’t a danger to him.

Instead of rewarding Yamato, the emperor decided to send his heir on another suicide mission. This time he sent Yamato to the eastern land, where another rebellion led by the Emishi people was causing the emperor trouble. 

On his way, Yamato met his aunt, Princess Yamato-hime, who was the high priestess of Amaterasu at Ise Grand Shrine. While there, he confesses to his aunt that he is depressed because his father wants him dead and has sent him to end another rebellion without giving him an army.

The princess takes pity on the sad prince and lends him the holy sword, Ame no Murakumo no tsurugi (Kusanagi no tsurugi). This holy blade had been found by the storm god Susanoo in the corpse of the eight-headed great serpent, Yamata no Orochi. The sword was a powerful weapon and a symbol of divine favor and imperial legitimacy. 

Susanoo no Mikoto slays the 8 – headed serpent Yamata-no-Orochi upstream of the river at Hirokawa in Izumo Province. (Public Domain)

His aunt’s kindness touched Yamato’s heart. She was the first member of his family to show him any love. Wielding his new sword, an emboldened Yamato headed east to do his father’s bidding and kill his kingdom’s enemies. 

The Eastern Expedition

Before Yamato could head for Emishi, his father gave him another task. He was sent to another land, Yemishi, where he led many military campaigns against the local barbarians. While there, he fought alongside other legendary heroes like Takehiko, Takehi no Murajj, and Nanatsukahagi. On his way back, he once again visited his aunt, who gifted him another sword, Kusanagi, as well as flints for lighting a fire.

With this gift in hand, he was finally able to head for Emishi with his wife in tow. On the way, he stopped off at Sagami where he was ambushed by some local brigands. While Yamato hunted deer on a local moor, they set fire to the grass, hoping to burn him to death. Instead, Yamato used his new sword to cut away the grass and then used his flints to light his own fire. Yamato easily kills the brigands and their chieftain before burning their corpses.

From Sagami Bay, Yamato set sail for Emishi. Unfortunately for him, a kami (god) who lived in the sea soon became angry and summoned a massive storm to sink Yamato’s boat. Realizing her husband couldn’t fight a god in the middle of the ocean, Yamato's wife, Oto Tachibana-him, sacrifices herself to appease the angry god. Pleased with the sacrifice, the god does indeed let Yamato’s ship pass.

Shortly afterward, Yamato’s ship landed in Emishi. Its people were waiting for him on the beach, but upon seeing the mighty Yamato, they surrendered. Yamato took their chiefs as prisoners and then headed back home. 

Yamato Takeru and his sword Kusanagi no Tsurugi (Public Domain)

Death of a Legend

According to tradition, Yamato died in the 43rd year of his father’s reign while returning home from the Eastern lands. His many victories had caused him to grow over-confident and arrogant. This arrogance would spell his doom. 

While journeying home, he decided to tackle the god of Mount Ibuki. Full of vanity, he decided to do so without his sword and boasted that he could kill the god empty-handed. The wrathful god heard him and was unimpressed.

As Yamato climbed the mountain, a white boar (or snake) crossed his path. He mistook the creature for a messenger of the mountain deity and chose to ignore it. In fact, it was the god itself and the god used this opening to attack the arrogant hero. It cursed the prince, who quickly grew ill as if he’d been poisoned.

Yamato managed to retrieve his sword before becoming bedridden. He died not long after, according to some sources somewhere in Ise province. Legend states that upon dying, his soul turned into a massive white bird and flew away. He was buried in a tomb at Ise known as the Mausoleum of the White Plover. Eventually, his relics, including his beloved sword, were taken to Atsuta Shrine, where they remain. 

A bronze statue of Prince Yamato Takeru with the sword Kusanagi no Tsurugi on his waist. At Ootori-taisha shrine, Sakai, Osaka, Japan (Public Domain)

Conclusion

Despite being one of Japan’s greatest heroes, Yamato’s story is a tragic one. He was disowned by his father and sent on missions he wasn’t meant to return from. Despite this treatment, he stayed loyal to his country and fought countless battles in its honor. Most tragic of all, he never made it home.

Today Yamato Takeru is still worshiped across Japan as the kami Otori-sama. His shrines can be found across Japan, and each November, a festival is held in honor: Tori no Ichi. Revered as both a warrior and a deity, Yamato Takeru's legacy continues to inspire, reminding us of the timeless values of bravery, resilience, and the intricate interplay between man and the divine. 

Top image: Yamato Takeru and his sword Kusanagi no Tsurugi.   Source: Public Domain

By Robbie Mitchell