Hoderi-no-Mikoto

Hoderi-no-Mikoto is a heavenly kami (amatsukami) recorded in the *Kojiki* (Records of Ancient Matters, 712 CE) and the *Nihon Shoki* (Chronicles of Japan, 720 CE). He is commonly known as the Elder Brother of the Sea (Umisachihiko), the son of Ninigi-no-Mikoto and Sengetsu-hime. His legend centres on a conflict with his younger brother, Hoori-no-Mikoto, also called the Mountain Brother (Yamasachihiko).

In the *Kojiki*, Upper Scroll, the narrative begins when Hoderi demands the return of a fishing hook he had lent to his younger brother—an incident that precipitates a voyage in search of the needle. The account records that Hoori, having returned from the Palace of the Sea God with the Tide-Rising and Tide-Falling jewels, uses them to drown his elder brother. Hoderi then submits, swearing: "From now on, I shall serve you day and night as your guardian." This event establishes him as the ancestor of the Hayato people. A parallel account appears in the *Nihon Shoki*, Divine Age, Book Ten.

Hoderi's lineage traces him as the son of Ninigi-no-Mikoto and Sengetsu-hime. His siblings include Hosuseri-no-Mikoto and Hoori-no-Mikoto. The Hayato clan of later periods claimed descent from him. Court ritual records indicate that the Hayato Dance (*matsuri* performance) reenacted the scene of Hoderi's drowning, preserving what tradition held to be an ancient ceremony.

Principal veneration centres on Ushiotake Shrine (Miyazaki Prefecture, Nichinan City), where local tradition records Hoderi's landing. He is also enshrined at Kagoshima Grand Shrine (Kagoshima Prefecture, Kirishima City). Within the Hyūga mythological sphere, Hoderi occupies a complementary role to his younger brother in marine-focused ritual practice and remains linked to ancestor traditions of Hayato clans in southern Kyushu.