Hondawake no Mikoto
誉田別命
The divine name of Emperor Ojin (15th emperor), the human identity of Hachiman Okami; god of archery, war, and the protector of the nation
About
Hondawake no Mikoto (誉田別命) is the divine personal name of Emperor Ojin, the fifteenth legendary emperor of Japan and the human identity behind the Hachiman cult. 'Hondawake' (誉田別) refers to a place name in Osaka (modern Habikino City) where Emperor Ojin's mausoleum is located, the largest keyhole-shaped burial mound (kofun) in Japan.
Born to Empress Jingu during (or after) her legendary Korean campaign, Ojin was accorded extraordinary significance from birth—the divine child of a warrior queen. Upon his death, he was deified at Usa Jingu in northern Kyushu, becoming the founding figure of the nationwide Hachiman cult, which today encompasses over 25,000 shrines. The name Hondawake is used in formal liturgical contexts to distinguish the human-emperor aspect from the broader Hachiman divine title.
Hachiman shrines frequently list both 'Hachiman Okami' and 'Hondawake no Mikoto' as their enshrined deities, reflecting the tradition's dual nature as both an imperial ancestor cult and an independent warrior deity.
Family Relationships
Animal Messenger
Dove (Pigeon) (鳩（はと）)
As the human identity of Hachiman, Hondawake shares Hachiman's sacred messenger—the dove.
Shrines Dedicated to This Deity
| Shrine | Prefecture | Network Role |
|---|---|---|
| Hirosaki Hachimangu 弘前八幡宮 | Aomori | branch |
| Togoshi Hachiman Shrine 戸越八幡神社 | Tokyo | branch |
| Mama Hachimangu 葛飾八幡宮 | Chiba | branch |
| Himure Hachimangu 日牟禮八幡宮 | Shiga | Regional shrine |
| Nagahama Hachimangu 長浜八幡宮 | Shiga | Regional shrine |
Frequently Asked Questions
Information provided by Jinja DB Editorial Team
Who is Hondawake no Mikoto in Japanese mythology?
Hondawake no Mikoto (誉田別命) is The divine name of Emperor Ojin (15th emperor), the human identity of Hachiman Okami; god of archery, war, and the protector of the nation. This deity appears in Historical and is enshrined at 5 shrines across Japan.
What shrines are dedicated to Hondawake no Mikoto?
There are 5 shrines in our database dedicated to Hondawake no Mikoto, including Hirosaki Hachimangu, Togoshi Hachiman Shrine, Mama Hachimangu and more.
What myths involve Hondawake no Mikoto?
Hondawake no Mikoto appears in myths from Historical. The deity is known as The divine name of Emperor Ojin (15th emperor), the human identity of Hachiman Okami; god of archery, war, and the protector of the nation.