Kamotaketsunumi no Mikoto
賀茂建角身命
Ancestral deity of the Kamo clan, identified with the divine guide Yatagarasu
About
Kamotaketsunumi is the ancestral deity of the Kamo clan enshrined at Shimogamo Shrine (Kamo Mioya Jinja) in Kyoto. He is identified with Yatagarasu, the three-legged crow that guided Emperor Jimmu through the mountains during his eastern expedition. After completing this divine mission, he is said to have settled in the Kamo region of Yamashiro Province.
His daughter Tamayorihime is the mother of Wake-ikazuchi, creating a divine family lineage that underpins both Kamigamo and Shimogamo shrines. The two shrines together form one of the most important religious complexes in Kyoto.
Shimogamo Shrine, set within the Tadasu no Mori primeval forest at the confluence of the Kamo and Takano rivers, is one of the oldest Shinto sanctuaries and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The shrine's annual Mitarashi Festival draws upon the purification traditions associated with the sacred waters of the Kamo River.
Mythology
Animal Messenger
Three-legged crow (Yatagarasu) (八咫烏（やたがらす）)
Kamotaketsunumi is directly identified with Yatagarasu, the three-legged crow of divine guidance.
Shrines Dedicated to This Deity
| Shrine | Prefecture | Network Role |
|---|---|---|
| Shimogamo Shrine 賀茂御祖神社 | Kyoto | Lower Kamo Shrine |
Frequently Asked Questions
Information provided by Jinja DB Editorial Team
Who is Kamotaketsunumi no Mikoto in Japanese mythology?
Kamotaketsunumi no Mikoto (賀茂建角身命) is Ancestral deity of the Kamo clan, identified with the divine guide Yatagarasu. This deity appears in Kojiki & Nihon Shoki and is enshrined at 1 shrines across Japan.
What shrines are dedicated to Kamotaketsunumi no Mikoto?
There are 1 shrines in our database dedicated to Kamotaketsunumi no Mikoto, including Shimogamo Shrine.
What myths involve Kamotaketsunumi no Mikoto?
Kamotaketsunumi no Mikoto appears in 1 myths including The Eastern Expedition of Emperor Jimmu (Jimmu Tosei). These stories come from Kojiki & Nihon Shoki.