Hoori

, also known as Hikohohodemi no Mikoto, was, in Japanese mythology, the third and youngest son of the "kami" Ninigi-no-Mikoto and the blossom princess Konohanasakuya-hime. He is one of the legendary ancestors of the Emperors of Japan. He is also called Hohodemi and Yamasachihiko (lit. the prince of the mountain of fortune).

Hoori's legend is told in both the "Kojiki" and the "Nihonshoki". Hoori was a hunter, and he had an argument with his brother Hoderi, a fisherman, over a fish-hook that Hoori had forced his elder brother to lend him and had lost. Hoderi claimed that Hoori should give back the fish-hook, for he refused to accept another one (due to the belief that each tool is animated and hence unique). Hoori then descended to the bottom of the sea to find it, but was unable to. Instead, he found Toyotama-hime (Princess Toyotama), the daughter of the sea god, Ryūjin. The sea god helped Hoori find Hoderi's lost hook, and Hoori later married the sea god's daughter Toyotamabime.

Hoori lived with his wife in a palace under the sea for three years, but after that Hoori became home-sick and wished to return to his own country. His brother forgave him after he returned the hook, and Toyotamabime gave birth to a son named Ugayafukiaezu. During the time when Toyotamabime was giving birth to her child, she had Hoori swear not to attempt to see her real figure. But he broke his promise and discovered her true form as a dragon or a "wani". She was ashamed and returned to her father, never to return. Ugayafukiaezu married Toyotama-hime's sister, who brought him up, and she gave birth to Emperor Jimmu, who is known as the first Emperor of Japan. Hoori reigned in Takachiho, Hyuga Province for 560 years.

Hoori's cult is often associated with both his parents and his wife. He is worshiped mainly as a god of cereals or grain. In mythology it was said that the "ho" (火) part of his name meant fire, but etymologically it is a different character pronounced "ho" (穂), which refers to crops, particularly rice. "Ori" (折り, "to bend") incidates a crop that is so rich, it bends under its own weight. His alias Hohodemi means "many harvests".

In folklore, Hoori is most frequently known as Yamasachihiko and his travels lead to a visit to the sea god. The daughter of Ryūjin, his wife, is also known as Otohime (lit. the youngest princess of the sisters).

External links

* [http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/a/c/acj2/hoori.html The Story of Hoderi and Hoori] from "Myths and Legends of Japan" by F. Hadland Davis