Mōri Motonari
毛利元就
Sengoku-era daimyo of Chugoku region (1497–1571); famous for the 'three arrows' parable; enshrined in Hiroshima
About
Mōri Motonari (1497–1571) was the daimyo who transformed the Mōri clan from a minor western Honshu family into the dominant power of the Chugoku region, eventually controlling ten of its eleven provinces. He is especially famous for the parable of three arrows: advising his three sons that one arrow alone breaks easily but three together cannot be broken—a lesson on the strength of unity.
He is enshrined at Mōri Shrine in Yoshida (Hiroshima Prefecture) and is venerated as a patron of strategic wisdom, family unity, and political acumen.
Shrines Dedicated to This Deity
| Shrine | Prefecture | Network Role |
|---|---|---|
| Hoei Shrine 豊榮神社 | Yamaguchi | |
| Toyosaka Shrine 豊榮神社 | Yamaguchi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Information provided by Jinja DB Editorial Team
Who is Mōri Motonari in Japanese mythology?
Mōri Motonari (毛利元就) is Sengoku-era daimyo of Chugoku region (1497–1571); famous for the 'three arrows' parable; enshrined in Hiroshima. This deity appears in Historical and is enshrined at 2 shrines across Japan.
What shrines are dedicated to Mōri Motonari?
There are 2 shrines in our database dedicated to Mōri Motonari, including Hoei Shrine, Toyosaka Shrine.
What myths involve Mōri Motonari?
Mōri Motonari appears in myths from Historical. The deity is known as Sengoku-era daimyo of Chugoku region (1497–1571); famous for the 'three arrows' parable; enshrined in Hiroshima.