Ancient Goddess in Meiji Japan

[Ross Bender]

Sara Rebecca Schmid's chapter in Japan's Imperial Mythology (edited by Antoni, Dolkovski, and Neubronner) is titled "Myth and Historiography: Jingū Kōgō in Mejii Period Print Media." It demonstrates the political and spiritual power this ancient goddess had in Meiji Japan, particularly for her impetus in the conquest of Korea as Japan annexed the peninsula. The images shared in the essay are remarkable and striking, illustrating the warrior empress striking the rocky coastline with the words "The Great Kings of Korea are the Dogs of Japan."

Schmid references earlier iterations of the narrative, particularly the goddess' role as the mother of Ōjin Tennō, Hachiman, in the medieval Hachiman Gudōkun. Here she points to the magnificent Hachiman Digital Handscrolls Project at Heidelberg University, which is a real treasure.

Hachiman Digital Handscrolls | Heidelberg University

I would just like to point out that in the Nara period the sovereigns of Japan made it quite clear in their diplomatic relations with Silla that their superior position vis-a-vis Korea derived from  Jingū Kōgō's conquests: (This is from my chapter "Imperial Assumptions: Japan's Relations with Silla and Balhae in the Eighth Century" in my book Imperial Rule: Essays on Ancient Japan."

"The basis of Japan’s relation to Silla was its understanding that in the third century the legendary warrior Empress Jingŭ had crossed the sea and brought into submission not only Silla, but also the other kingdoms of Baekje and Goguryeo. This was stated explicitly in an edict to Silla envoys from the female Emperor Kōken  孝謙天皇in 752: “Silla has served this court from the time that Okinagatarashihime Ōkisaki [1] [Empress Jingū] pacified that country until now and performed the duty of protecting its frontiers.” This legend, recorded in both Kojiki and Nihon Shoki with much embellishment, though not always explicitly referred to, was the basis for Japan’s designation of Silla envoys as messengers bringing tribute from a land that from ancient times served the Japanese court. This diplomatic fiction was articulated not only by statements from the Japanese throne, but in the supposed memorials from Silla ambassadors themselves."

Schmid's contribution dynamically illustrates the enduring power of ancient shamanistic female rule into the modern period. Another goddess, although this one actually historically attested, is

 Himiko, who has also survived in all her glory into contemporary Japan. Here is Laura Miller on her popular image:

Himiko lives in not only in manga and anime, but also in contemporary female diviners who trace their shamanistic lineage back to her. In “Rebranding Himiko, the Shaman Queen of Ancient History,” Laura Miller explored her image as “shaman-priestess, alluring ruler, and dangerous witch,” in both historical accounts and popular culture. Thus in Ishinomori Shōtarō’s 1997 manga history of Japan, his account of Himiko begins when the male elders are lobbying for her to take on rulership. “She wears a simple kosode covered by a long-sleeved white tunic tied in the front with a white sash. Her white headband is knotted into bows on either side of her head. Around her neck is a strand of magatama beads, while in her hand is a sakaki branch. In the scene where she assumes queenship, she announces to the crowd standing below her elevated Yayoi-style palace; "From now on all the chiefdoms will cease fighting. My heart will reflect the mind of the deities."

This positive image is reversed in erotic adult manga, where she appears as a “raunchy queen who manages to rule while also spending much of her time engaged in interesting sexual adventures.” Inevitably this portrayal has made its way into Marvel Comics – “The Savage Sword of Conan the Barbarian: The Witch Queen of Yamatai.” Here the cunning Queen has captured the Chinese emperor. “This vipress ruler wears a stripper's black plunging thong monokini with decorated tights. She is served by a troupe of samurai-attired Amazonian women.”[1]

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[1] Mechademia 9, 2014, 179-198.

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[1] 気長足媛皇太后 – Jingū Kōgō 神功皇后

Ross Bender

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