Kibitsuhiko no Mikoto
吉備津彦命
Legendary warrior prince sent by the Yamato court to conquer Kibi Province; enshrined at Kibitsu Shrine in Okayama
About
Kibitsuhiko no Mikoto is the hero deity of the Kibi region (modern Okayama Prefecture), traditionally identified as a grandson of Emperor Korei who was dispatched from the Yamato court to pacify the Kibi Province. His most famous legend involves the defeat of the oni (demon) Ura, a local strongman who terrorized the region from the island of Kibi-no-Kojima.
According to the legend, Kibitsuhiko challenged Ura to an archery contest and killed him, then enshrined the demon's head beneath Kibitsu Shrine. A boiling cauldron (narutsu-ogama) at the shrine is said to roar from the spirit of Ura—when it roars, it is an oracle of good fortune; when silent, an ill omen. This legend is considered one of the prototypes for the Momotaro (Peach Boy) folk tale.
Shrines Dedicated to This Deity
| Shrine | Prefecture | Network Role |
|---|---|---|
| Kibitsu Shrine 吉備津神社 | Okayama | head |
| Kibitsuhiko Shrine 吉備津彦神社 | Okayama | branch |
| Kibitsu Shrine (Bingo) 吉備津神社（備後） | Hiroshima | branch |
Frequently Asked Questions
Information provided by Jinja DB Editorial Team
Who is Kibitsuhiko no Mikoto in Japanese mythology?
Kibitsuhiko no Mikoto (吉備津彦命) is Legendary warrior prince sent by the Yamato court to conquer Kibi Province; enshrined at Kibitsu Shrine in Okayama. This deity appears in Kojiki & Nihon Shoki and is enshrined at 3 shrines across Japan.
What shrines are dedicated to Kibitsuhiko no Mikoto?
There are 3 shrines in our database dedicated to Kibitsuhiko no Mikoto, including Kibitsu Shrine, Kibitsuhiko Shrine, Kibitsu Shrine (Bingo).
What myths involve Kibitsuhiko no Mikoto?
Kibitsuhiko no Mikoto appears in myths from Kojiki & Nihon Shoki. The deity is known as Legendary warrior prince sent by the Yamato court to conquer Kibi Province; enshrined at Kibitsu Shrine in Okayama.