Ugayafukiaezu no Mikoto
鸕鶿草葺不合命
Father of Emperor Jimmu, born in the unfinished cormorant-feather birthing hut
About
Ugayafukiaezu's unusual name derives from the circumstances of his birth: his mother Toyotamahime built a birthing hut thatched with cormorant feathers, but he was born before the roof was completed (fukiaezu meaning 'not yet thatched together'). This hasty birth occurred when Hoori broke the taboo of watching the delivery and saw Toyotamahime's true sea-creature form.
Raised by his aunt Tamayorihime after his mother returned to the sea, Ugayafukiaezu eventually married Tamayorihime herself. Their union produced four sons, the youngest of whom was Kamuyamato Iwarehiko—Emperor Jimmu.
As a genealogical link between the sea-deity lineage and the first emperor, Ugayafukiaezu bridges the mythological and semi-historical periods. He is enshrined at Udo Jingu in Miyazaki Prefecture, set dramatically in a cave overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Mythology
Family Relationships
Shrines Dedicated to This Deity
| Shrine | Prefecture | Network Role |
|---|---|---|
| Udo Shrine 鵜戸神宮 | Miyazaki |
Frequently Asked Questions
Information provided by Jinja DB Editorial Team
Who is Ugayafukiaezu no Mikoto in Japanese mythology?
Ugayafukiaezu no Mikoto (鸕鶿草葺不合命) is Father of Emperor Jimmu, born in the unfinished cormorant-feather birthing hut. This deity appears in Kojiki & Nihon Shoki and is enshrined at 1 shrines across Japan.
What shrines are dedicated to Ugayafukiaezu no Mikoto?
There are 1 shrines in our database dedicated to Ugayafukiaezu no Mikoto, including Udo Shrine.
What myths involve Ugayafukiaezu no Mikoto?
Ugayafukiaezu no Mikoto appears in 2 myths including The Tale of the Sea Prince and the Mountain Prince (Umisachi-Yamasachi), The Eastern Expedition of Emperor Jimmu (Jimmu Tosei). These stories come from Kojiki & Nihon Shoki.