Yagami-hime: The Graceful Princess in Japanese Mythology and the Tale of the White Rabbit
.jpg)
Contents
A goddess of beauty, love, and heartbreak—
Yagami-hime (八上比売) is a legendary princess from the myths of Inaba. She is best known from the tale of the White Rabbit of Inaba, where a kind-hearted god, Ōkuninushi, wins her heart. But her story is not only about romance—it also reflects human emotions of love, rivalry, and choice.
In this article, we will explore who Yagami-hime was, the myths surrounding her, the shrines where she is worshipped, and why her story still resonates in Japan today.
Who is Yagami-hime?
Profile of Yagami-hime
Yagami-hime is a goddess from Inaba Province (present-day Tottori Prefecture). Her name means “the princess of Yagami”, referring to the ancient Yagami District—now known as Yazu District (八頭郡).
In the myths, she appears as a beautiful princess, admired for her charm and grace. She is introduced as the first wife of Ōkuninushi-no-Mikoto, the great deity of nation-building and love, and plays a central role in the famous tale of the White Rabbit of Inaba.
Later, when faced with the jealousy of Ōkuninushi’s principal wife, Yagami-hime chose not to fight but to quietly return to her homeland. Through this, she is remembered as a figure who embodies love, marriage, and the quiet dignity of independence.
Why She Is Not Called “no-Mikoto”
Unlike many other goddesses in Japanese mythology, Yagami-hime’s name does not include the honorific title “命 (no-Mikoto).” Scholars suggest this reflects her role as a shamanic priestess (miko) of her local clan. In this view, she may represent not only a mythological figure but also the historical memory of a chieftain’s daughter who served as a sacred priestess in the Inaba region.
This interpretation highlights her unique position: a goddess closely tied to local identity, whose presence bridges both divine myth and human history.
Mythological Episodes
The White Rabbit of Inaba
Yagami-hime’s story is closely tied to the famous legend of the White Rabbit of Inaba, but what stands out is how this tale reveals her character.
In the myth, she is portrayed as a wise and discerning woman. While many suitors—Ōkuninushi’s elder brothers—were selfish and cruel, she recognized their flaws at once. Instead, she chose Ōkuninushi, seeing in him the qualities of kindness, honesty, and a sincere heart. From this, we understand Yagami-hime not only as a figure of beauty, but also as a woman of intelligence and sound judgment.
Some scholars also suggest that her marriage to Ōkuninushi reflects more than personal choice: it may symbolize the alliance between Inaba and Izumo in ancient times. Inaba was known as a production center of jade (hisui), while Izumo was home to highly skilled craftsmen of beads and jewelry.
The union of Yagami-hime and Ōkuninushi may thus echo a deeper historical memory of regional exchange and cooperation between these two lands.
The Jealousy of Suseri-hime
Although Yagami-hime married Ōkuninushi, their union soon faced obstacles. The jealous eighty brothers (Yasogami), who had hoped to marry her themselves, began to harass Ōkuninushi. As a result, the couple were forced apart for a time.
During this separation, Ōkuninushi took another wife, Suseri-hime, who became recognized as his principal consort. When Yagami-hime was later called back, she found herself the target of Suseri-hime’s jealousy and hostility. Rather than engage in conflict, Yagami-hime chose to quietly withdraw. She returned to her homeland of Inaba, leaving even her newborn child behind—placed tenderly in the fork of a tree, a detail that highlights the poignancy of her departure.
Yet, her story does not end in sorrow alone. Back in Inaba, the local people welcomed her warmly, cherishing her as a goddess of grace and beauty. For them, Yagami-hime was not a figure of tragedy but one of dignity and affection, a beloved presence who continued to inspire devotion in her homeland.
This episode thus paints Yagami-hime not only as a woman of restraint and quiet strength, but also as a goddess whose spirit was embraced by her community, ensuring her place in both myth and local memory.
Shrines and Worship
Menuma Shrine
The most important shrine dedicated to Yagami-hime is Menuma Shrine (売沼神社) in Tottori Prefecture. It is listed in the Engishiki Jinmyōchō (Register of Deities, 927 CE), proving that a shrine devoted to Yagami-hime already existed in the Heian period. The grounds are surrounded by tall trees, creating a serene and sacred atmosphere. At the entrance stands a large torii gate, and within the shrine precincts visitors can find stone statues that depict the romance of Ōkuninushi and Yagami-hime.
Urenuma Shrine is especially known for its blessings in:
- love and marriage (enmusubi)
- fertility and childbirth (kodakara, anzan)
- more recently, as a goddess of beauty
Next to the shrine lies Yagami-hime Park, where statues and monuments recount the myth of Yagami-hime and Ōkuninushi, keeping her legend alive in the local landscape.
Hakuto Shrine and the White Rabbit
Yagami-hime is also connected with Hakuto Shrine, dedicated to the famous legend of the White Rabbit of Inaba. Because the rabbit foretold her marriage to Ōkuninushi, the shrine has become a popular site for those seeking good fortune in love and relationships. Its coastal location adds to the mythic atmosphere, reminding visitors of the ancient tale that tied Yagami-hime’s fate to the land of Inaba.
Cultural Significance
A Goddess Rooted in Local Memory
Yagami-hime’s story is not only preserved in ancient texts but also woven into the very landscape of Tottori. In Kawahara Town (Tottori City), several place names still recall her romance with Ōkuninushi:
- Fukurogawara (袋河原) – said to be the riverbank along the Sendai River where Ōkuninushi discarded a bag filled with gifts.
- Shidori (倭文) – the place where he is believed to have written love letters to Yagami-hime.
- Entsū-ji (円通寺) – Its name is said to be a play on words. “Entsū-ji” sounds almost the same as En-tsū-ji (縁通路), which means “the path where bonds of love are connected.”
These place names show not only how deeply the goddess’s story became rooted in the region, but also how the local people cherished Yagami-hime so much that her memory was preserved in the very names of their land— a legacy that continues to this day.
Enduring Symbol of Love and Grace
Through shrines, place names, and oral traditions, Yagami-hime has long been cherished by the local people of Inaba. She represents not only romantic love but also the enduring values of dignity, harmony, and choice.
The myths also show that Yagami-hime was far more than a figure of beauty. She is portrayed as a woman of intelligence, determination, and inner strength—a goddess who could gracefully step away from conflict while preserving her dignity. In this way, she embodied an ideal that people could admire: a figure who was not only admired for her beauty, but also for her wisdom, resilience, and flawless character.
Even today, she is remembered with affection as a goddess who embodies the gentle yet resilient spirit of women, linking the ancient world of myth to the everyday life of the community.
Conclusion: The Beloved Princess of Inaba
From the prophecy of the White Rabbit to her quiet departure in the face of jealousy, Yagami-hime’s story reflects not only the romance and sorrows of ancient myth, but also the portrait of a woman who was beautiful, wise, and strong-willed. Though her marriage to Ōkuninushi brought both joy and pain, her dignity and grace left a lasting mark on the people of Inaba.
So deeply did they admire her that her memory has been preserved in shrines, place names, and local traditions, ensuring that her spirit lives on in the land she once called home.
Today, Yagami-hime is remembered not as a tragic figure, but as a goddess of love, intelligence, and resilience— an ideal of womanhood that continues to inspire awe and affection. Meeting Yagami-hime is a reminder that the legends of Japan are not only tales of the past, but living stories that still bloom in the hearts of the people.