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→Ame no Hiboko as a representative figure
* ''Mythological character within both the [[Kojiki]] and the [[Nihon Shoki]]
* ''Mythological character within both the [[Kojiki]] and the [[Nihon Shoki]]
* ''Distinction: the king of the Korean kingdom of Silla's son
* ''Distinction: prince Korean kingdom of Silla
* ''Possible alternate name: Hiboko, Ama no Hihoko, Ama no Hi-hoko''
* ''Possible alternate name: Hiboko, Ama no Hihoko, Ama no Hi-hoko, Ame-no-Hihoko''
* ''Name meaning: Spear of the Heavenly Sun (Aston's translation), Prince of the Shining Spear (Aoki's translation)''
* ''Name meaning: Spear of the Heavenly Sun (Aston's translation), Prince of the Shining Spear (Aoki's translation)''
==Overview==
==Overview==
Ame no Hiboko is believed to have travelled from Silla to Japan, with "magical jewels" that made for tranquil ocean travel.
Ame no Hiboko is believed to have traveled from Silla to Japan, with "magical jewels" that made for tranquil ocean travel.
In the Cambridge History of Japan, it is suggested that he was reverenced by those Koreans that had travelled to the Japanese archipelago and brought continental technology.
In the Cambridge History of Japan, it is suggested that he was reverenced by those Koreans that had traveled to the Japanese archipelago and brought continental technology.
In the ''[[Fudoki|Chikuzen fudoki]]'', a deity called ''Hiboko'' is listed as being the tutelary kami of a strong family located in northern Kyushu. This ''Hiboko'' may be one and the same with Ame no Hiboko. This ''Hiboko'', within the ''fudoki'' is supposed to have came to earth in Koguryo.
In the ''[[Fudoki|Chikuzen fudoki]]'', a deity called ''Hiboko'' is listed as being the tutelary kami of a strong family located in northern Kyushu. This ''Hiboko'' may be one and the same with Ame no Hiboko. This ''Hiboko'', within the ''fudoki'' is supposed to have came to earth in Koguryo.
The items carried by Ame no Hiboko resemble those usually bore by other ancestor kami<ref>The Cambridge History of Japan Volume One: Ancient Japan; Page 345</ref>.
The items carried by Ame no Hiboko resemble those usually bore by other ancestor kami<ref>The Cambridge History of Japan Volume One: Ancient Japan; Page 345</ref>.
Kidder's description of Ame-no-Hihoko is much more detailed. He describes a Silla prince who travels to [[Harima Province]], bearing either seven or eight (depending on the source) sacred, ritual objects, during the reign of [[Emperor Suinin]].
Upon hearing of the foreigner's location, he sent two powerful family leaders to investigate. Ame-no-Hihoko claimed (in a fashion somewhat suspiciously similar to a past immigrant from the Korean kingdom of Kaya named Tsunoga-arashito) that he wished to "offer his services" to a worthy ruler such as Suinin. Suinin attempted to convince Ame-no-Hihoko to move from Harima to a region closer to Suinin's capital. Hihoko requested to be allowed to choose his residence, instead, and traveled throughout central Honshu until he found himself residing again near Harima: in Tajima. His descendants (through a Korean wife in a sizable Korean population) continued to live in Tajima.
The potters (traditionally Korean immigrants to those instructed by past immigrants) in the city of Ômi are said to have become his servants (he stayed there during his wanderings for a residence).<ref>J. Edward Kidder, Jr. "Himiko and Japan's Elusive Chiefdom of Yamatai." Hawaii: 2007, Page 197</ref>
==Ame no Hiboko within the Nihon Shoki==
==Ame no Hiboko within the Nihon Shoki==
Aston's ''Nihongi'' writes Ame no Hiboko as ''Ama no hi-hoko'', or ''Ama no hihoko'', and "Izushi" as "Idzushi", but it is of little matter. Many of the names contained within his work differ from modern history books.
Aston's ''Nihongi'' writes Ame no Hiboko as ''Ama no hi-hoko'', or ''Ama no hihoko'', and "Izushi" as "Idzushi", but it is of little matter. Many of the names contained within his work differ from modern history books.
Continuing, Kiyo-hiko attempted to hide the Izushi short sword from Emperor Suinin, but was caught in the act. However, it magically disappeared from Suinin's posession, and found itself on the Island of Ahaji, where it was worshipped and enshrined.
Continuing, Kiyo-hiko attempted to hide the Izushi short sword from Emperor Suinin, but was caught in the act. However, it magically disappeared from Suinin's posession, and found itself on the Island of Awaji, where it was worshiped and enshrined.
==Ame no Hiboko as a representative figure==
==Ame no Hiboko as a representative figure==
*''Ihibo Woka''
*''Ihibo Woka''
**The ''Ihibo'', which means ''grain of rice'', comes from the grain that fell when Ôkuninushi ate rice ceremoniously on top of a mountain to secure the territory from the intruding Ame no Hiboko. The ''woka'' seems to be derived either from the ''[[Wokera]]'' plant that grows around the area where Ame no Hiboko hit the earth with his stick, causing the formation of two rivers, or with ''woka'', a synonym for other words meaning "hill". The latter seems overwhelmingly the case.<ref>Michiko Aoki, ''Records of Wind and Earth'', page 201, 211n</ref>.
**The ''Ihibo'', which means ''grain of rice'', comes from the grain that fell when Ôkuninushi ate rice ceremoniously on top of a mountain to secure the territory from the intruding Ame no Hiboko. The ''woka'' means "hill"<ref>Michiko Aoki, ''Records of Wind and Earth'', page 201, 211n</ref>.
*''Hamlet of Kahato''
*''Hamlet of Kahato''
**The recorded origin of the Hamlet of Kahato is strikingly simple. Ame no Hiboko is supposed to have commented on the noise level of a nearby river, which in ancient Japanese corresponded to ''Kahato''.<ref>ibid. pg. 210</ref>
**The recorded origin of the Hamlet of Kahato is strikingly simple. Ame no Hiboko is supposed to have commented on the noise level of a nearby river, which in ancient Japanese corresponded to ''Kahato''.<ref>ibid. pg. 210</ref>
It is believed that the Nihon Shoki drew from provincial ''fudoki'' for local myths and stories. One can see this in two ways: 1)a desire to represent Japan in a well-rounded fashion 2)a desire to pick and choose from local Japanese myths those that would help legitimate the ruling class.
It is believed that the Nihon Shoki drew from provincial ''fudoki'' for local myths and stories. One can see this in two ways: 1)a desire to represent Japan in a well-rounded fashion 2)a desire to pick and choose from local Japanese myths those that would help legitimate the ruling class.
*''Nuka Woka''
*''Yachigusano''
**<ref>ibid. pg. 217</ref>
**This refers to the 8,000 soldiers gathered under Ame no Hiboko<ref>ibid. pg. 217</ref>.
[[Category:Deities]]
[[Category:Deities]]
[[Category:Folklore]]
==Notes==
==Notes==
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