Takenouchi no Sukune


Takenouchi no Sukune or Takeshiuchi no Sukune was a legendary Japanese hero-statesman of the 1st century, and a Shinto kami.
He is recorded in Japan's earliest literary texts, the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki.

Life

Takenouchi no Sukune was supposedly the son of Princess Kagehime, and is said to be grandson to Prince Hikofutsuoshinomakoto. Descended from Emperor Kōgen, Takenouchi no Sukune served under five legendary emperors, Emperor Keikō, Emperor Seimu, Emperor Chūai, Emperor Ōjin, and Emperor Nintoku, but was perhaps best known for his service as Grand Minister to the Regent Empress Jingū, with whom he supposedly invaded Korea. While Jingu was regent to her son, Ojin, Takenouchi was accused of treason. He underwent the "ordeal of boiling water" as a way to prove his innocence.
In addition to his martial services to these emperors, he was reputedly also a saniwa, or spirit medium.
He is said to have been the grandson of HIkofutsuoshinomakoto in the Nihon Shoki, where as the Kojiki states that he was the son of Hikofutsuoshinomakoto.

Possible connections to Korea

Japanese historians have theorized a possible inference to Takenouchi no Sukune found in ancient Korea's Samguk sagi where a name called "Udojugun " is mentioned. In the book, it states that during the time a Japanese envoy "Kalnago " stayed in Silla, a royal named "Seok Uro " of the Gyeongju Seok clan also a descendant of Talhae of Silla from Japan, accompanied him. However after a while, the two started to banter where Seok Uro threatened to "make the emperor of Japan a salt making slave and his wife who cooks rice" as a heavy joke. After relaying the message to the emperor himself, a general named Udojugun was sent to the Korean peninsula and declared war against Silla.
According to scholars, Udojugun and Takenouchi no Sukune might have been the same individual as Takenouchi no Sukune's pronunciation would have been closer to "Utusukune " in Old Japanese. In addition, Wakan Sansai Zue also mentions Takenouchi no Sukune's accomplishments during the Silla–Wa War further adding credence to his involvement during the Silla period. As a similar sounding name appears in Korean records while also having historical documents that support his authenticity to an extent, scholars deduced that though not completely accurate, Takenouchi no Sukune can be considered an individual who had truly existed.
According to world-renowned linguist and Japanese language expert Alexander Vovin, due to Amenohiboko being of Korean origin, Empress Jingū and her son and successor, Emperor Ōjin might have been native speakers of the Korean language. Vovin states that since Takenouchi no Sukune was able to interact with Korean kingdoms during their rule, he stated that Takenouchi no Sukune may also have been of foreign origin as not only did he have jurisdiction over Japan–Korean affairs, but was also the father of many clan founders that have heavy connections with Korea.

Legacy

Twenty-eight Japanese clans are said to be descended from Takenouchi no Sukune, including Takeuchi and Soga. He is a legendary figure, and is said to have drunk daily from a sacred well, which helped him live to be 280 years old. He is enshrined as a Kami at the Ube shrine, in the Iwami district of the Tottori Prefecture and at local Hachiman shrines.
His portrait has appeared on the Japanese yen, and dolls of him are popular Children's Day gifts.
  • First convertible silver yen bill
  • First five yen bill
  • Third five yen bill
  • Second one-yen bill
  • Second 200 yen bill

Family

Father: Mother:, sister of Kiinokuni no Miyatsukuko Uzuhiko
  • * Wife: unknown
  • ** Son:, ancestor of the Hata clan related to Hata clan.
  • ** Son:, ancestor of the Kose clan.
  • ** Son:, ancestor of the Soga clan.
  • ** Son: Heguri no Tsuku, ancestor of the .
  • ** Son:, ancestor of the .
  • ** Daughter:
  • ** Daughter:
  • ** Son:, ancestor of the Katsuragi clan.
  • ** '''Son:'''