Oracles of Okinagatarashihimë

Okinagatarashihimë is a very significant figure in the earliest recorded Shinto myths. She ruled Japan for almost 70 years, and is venerated as one of the Hachiman kami and one of the Sumiyoshi kami even today. Nevertheless, she is little known even in Japan. This essay recounts the first half of the legends about her.

Torii image © Dean Spencer, used with permission. All rights reserved.