Japan: Statesman and Adviser to Empress Jingu, Takeshiuchi-no-sukune, carrying the infant Emperor Ojin on his shoulders. Kiritsubo or 'Paulownia Court', from the series 'Heroic Comparisons for the Chapters of Genji'. Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861), c. 1843
Takenouchi no Sukune (武内宿禰) or Takeshiuchi no Sukune was a legendary Japanese hero-statesman, and is a Shinto kami.
Takenouchi no Sukune was supposedly the son of Princess Kagehime, and is said to be grandson to Imperial Prince Hikofutódhimakoto no Mikoto. Also descended from Emperor Kōgen, Takenouchi no Sukune served under five legendary emperors, Emperor Keikō, Emperor Seimu, Emperor Chūai, Emperor Ōjin, and Emperor Nintoku, but was perhaps best known for his service as Grand Minister to the Regent Jingu, with whom he supposedly invaded Korea. While Jingu was regent to her son, Ojin, Takenouchi was accused of treason.
In addition to his martial services to these emperors, he was reputedly also a saniwa, or spirit medium.
Twenty-eight Japanese clans are said to be descended from Takenouchi no Sukune, including Takeuchi and Soga. He is a legendary figure, and is said to have drunk daily from a sacred well, and this helped him to live to be 280 years old. Further, he is enshrined as a Kami at the Ube shrine, in the Iwami district of the Tottori Prefecture and at local Hachiman shrines. His portrait has also appeared on the Japanese yen, and dolls of him are popular Children’s Day gifts.
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![Japan: Empress Jingu with Takenouchi no Sukune 'fishing for a cat'. Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892), 1882](http://d5a6726a429dfe857314-4427fc55741a097d0e1107f7b98e516c.r56.cf2.rackcdn.com/9736bf00ea91b5311c1eb07bda6d23e9/CPA0026992.jpg)
![Japan: Takenouchi no Sukune or Takeshiuchi no Sukune (notionally CE84-367), companion and adviser to Empress Jingu and guardian of the child emperor Ojin. Drawing by Kikuchi Yosai (1781-1878)](http://d5a6726a429dfe857314-4427fc55741a097d0e1107f7b98e516c.r56.cf2.rackcdn.com/9736bf00ea91b5311c1eb07bda6d23e9/CPA0026993.jpg)
![Japan: Statesman and Adviser to Empress Jingu, Takeshiuchi-no-sukune, carrying the infant Emperor Ojin on his shoulders. Kiritsubo or 'Paulownia Court', from the series 'Heroic Comparisons for the Chapters of Genji'. Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861), c. 1843](http://d5a6726a429dfe857314-4427fc55741a097d0e1107f7b98e516c.r56.cf2.rackcdn.com/9736bf00ea91b5311c1eb07bda6d23e9/CPA0026994.jpg)
![Japan: Statesman and Adviser to Empress Jingu, Takeshiuchi-no-sukune, carrying the infant Emperor Ojin on his shoulders, with a poem by Iwakamitei Shirataka (c. 1818-1844). Totoya Hokkei (1780-1850)](http://d5a6726a429dfe857314-4427fc55741a097d0e1107f7b98e516c.r56.cf2.rackcdn.com/9736bf00ea91b5311c1eb07bda6d23e9/CPA0026995.jpg)
![Japan: Emperor Ōjin, also known as Homutawake or Hondawake, was the 15th emperor of Japan according to the traditional order of succession. He is notionally considered to have reigned 270-310 CE. From 'Shoko Jisshu', 1908](http://d5a6726a429dfe857314-4427fc55741a097d0e1107f7b98e516c.r56.cf2.rackcdn.com/9736bf00ea91b5311c1eb07bda6d23e9/CPA0026996.jpg)
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