Kumano Yatagarasu Legend

In the Kumano Yatagarasu legend, recorded in the central scroll of the Kojiki (712 CE) and the Jimmu chapter of the Nihon Shoki (720 CE), Emperor Jimmu's eastern expedition is brought low in the mountains of Kumano by the breath of a violent local deity. Takakuraji-no-Mikoto is given the sword Futsu-no-Mitama in a dream and revives the troops. Takamagahara then sends a three-legged crow, Yatagarasu, which guides the army through the mountains to Uda in Yamato. The crow is identified with Kamo-Taketsunumi-no-Mikoto, the Kamo clan ancestor, and survives as the divine messenger of the Kumano Sanzan: Kumano Hongu Taisha (Tanabe), Kumano Hayatama Taisha (Shingu) and Kumano Nachi Taisha (Nachikatsuura). Related sites include Uda Mikumari Shrine, Kashihara Jingu and Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto. The Yamashiro no Kuni Fudoki (preserved in fragments) provides supporting accounts.