Yamato Takeru

| spouse = [[Miyazu-hime]],<br>{{ill|Futajiiri-hime|ja|両道入姫命}}

| spouse = [[Miyazu-hime]],<br>{{ill|Futajiiri-hime|ja|両道入姫命}}

| issue = [[Emperor Chūai]]

| issue = [[Emperor Chūai]]

| image = File:Yamato Takeru(bronze statue,Osaka)01.jpg

| image = Yamato Takeru by Takahashi Yuichi (Geidai Museum).jpg

| father = [[Emperor Keikō]]

| father = [[Emperor Keikō]]

| mother = {{ill|Harima no Inabi no Ōiratsume|lt='''Harima no Inabi no Ōiratsume'''|ja|播磨稲日大郎姫}}

| mother = {{ill|Harima no Inabi no Ōiratsume|lt='''Harima no Inabi no Ōiratsume'''|ja|播磨稲日大郎姫}}

| caption = The statue of Yamato Takeru at [[Ōtori taisha]]

}}

}}

According to traditional sources, Yamato Takeru died in the 43rd year of Emperor Keiko's reign (景行天皇43年).<ref>Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1953) ''Studies in Shinto and Shrines,'' p. 433.</ref> The possessions of the dead prince were gathered together along with the sword Kusanagi; and his widow venerated his memory in a shrine at her home. Some time later, these relics, including the sacred sword were moved to the current location of [[Atsuta Shrine]].<ref>Ponsonby-Fane, p. 434.</ref>

According to traditional sources, Yamato Takeru died in the 43rd year of Emperor Keiko's reign (景行天皇43年).<ref>Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1953) ''Studies in Shinto and Shrines,'' p. 433.</ref> The possessions of the dead prince were gathered together along with the sword Kusanagi; and his widow venerated his memory in a shrine at her home. Some time later, these relics, including the sacred sword were moved to the current location of [[Atsuta Shrine]].<ref>Ponsonby-Fane, p. 434.</ref>

[[File:Kenroku-en Statue of Yamato Takeru.jpg|thumb|140px|The statue of Yamato Takeru at Kenroku-en]]

[[File:Kenroku-en Statue of Yamato Takeru.jpg|thumb|The statue of Yamato Takeru at [[Kenroku-en]]]]

Yamato Takeru is believed to have died somewhere in Ise Province. According to the legend, the name of [[Mie Prefecture]] was derived from his final words. After death, his soul turned into a great white bird and flew away. His tomb in Ise is known as the Mausoleum of the White Plover. A statue of Yamato Takeru stands in [[Kenroku-en]] in [[Kanazawa, Ishikawa|Kanazawa]], Ishikawa.

Yamato Takeru is believed to have died somewhere in Ise Province. According to the legend, the name of [[Mie Prefecture]] was derived from his final words. After death, his soul turned into a great white bird and flew away. His tomb in Ise is known as the Mausoleum of the White Plover. A statue of Yamato Takeru stands in [[Kenroku-en]] in [[Kanazawa, Ishikawa|Kanazawa]], Ishikawa.

== Worship ==

== Worship ==

[[File:Yamato Takeru(bronze statue,Osaka)01.jpg|thumb|The statue of Yamato Takeru at [[Ōtori taisha]]]]

Owing to the legend of Yamato Takeru's death, he is worshiped as Otori-sama (The Great Bird). Otori shrines exist throughout Japan, and every November a festival is held on a day of the [[Rooster (zodiac)|Rooster]] known as Tori no Ichi, literally "Market of the Bird". Worshipers pray for prosperity and vendors sell charms on shrine grounds known as kumade, which are miniature [[Rake (tool)|rakes]] adorned with auspicious objects like [[Maneki-neko]] or rice. [[Hanazono Shrine]] and Otori Shrine in Asakusa, Tokyo are famous for their large-scale Tori no Ichi. Larger Tori no Ichi can span multiple days and are referred to numerically as Ichi no Tori, Ni no Tori etc.

Owing to the legend of Yamato Takeru's death, he is worshiped as Otori-sama (The Great Bird). Otori shrines exist throughout Japan, and every November a festival is held on a day of the [[Rooster (zodiac)|Rooster]] known as Tori no Ichi, literally "Market of the Bird". Worshipers pray for prosperity and vendors sell charms on shrine grounds known as kumade, which are miniature [[Rake (tool)|rakes]] adorned with auspicious objects like [[Maneki-neko]] or rice. [[Hanazono Shrine]] and Otori Shrine in Asakusa, Tokyo are famous for their large-scale Tori no Ichi. Larger Tori no Ichi can span multiple days and are referred to numerically as Ichi no Tori, Ni no Tori etc.