飯豊王女(イヒトヨ)に関する一考察

Abstract

In this article, we explore the figure of “Iitoyo-no Himemiko”(henceforth, “Iitoyo”) and her connection with the Katsuragi clan, as described in Kojiki and Nihonshoki. Firstly, Iitoyo is depicted as the queen who was granted the title at the crisis of the sovereignty and possessed a psychic power, as well as the queen who played a transient role until a king replaced her position. Secondly, the connection between Iitoyo and the Katsuragi clan can be reasonably assumed, given that their ancestor is Sotsuhiko. The lore of Tsuburahomi means the demise of the lineage of Tamada-no Sukune katsuragi. As the background information of this, it is suggested that a large change in the phase of the Katsuragi clan occurred during this period of time. Thirdly, as for its connection with Hitokotonushi-no Ookami, Kojiki places the story of wild boars in the mountain of Katsuragi immediately before the story of Hitokotonushi-no Ookami, emphasizing that, although the initial attempt to control the god failed, they finally succeeded in enshrining the god. This can be regarded as the story of offensive and defensive battles over the right of enshrining the god between the Ookami clan and the Katsuragi clan. Finally, the alternative name to Iitoyo, Oshinumi, indicates its connection with the Oshinumi clan, a thriving group in the local area. It is the Oshinumi clan that entirely supported the prince Oke Woke (the Katsuragi clan) when he was in a tight corner; further, the Oshinumi clan gave strong support to Iitoyo, who acted as a transient queen. This is symbolically reflected in Kojiki, where Oshinumi-no Iratsume is mentioned earlier than Iitoyo.