Yatagarasu: Japan's Three-Legged Crow — Meaning, Myths, and the Japan Football Emblem

Yatagarasu (八咫烏) is the three-legged sacred crow of Japanese mythology that guided Emperor Jimmu through the mountains of Kumano to Yamato. Revered as a "divine bird of guidance" at the Kumano Sanzan shrines, it is also famous today as the emblem of the Japan national football team.

Yatagarasu in 30 seconds
- A divine messenger crow in the *Kojiki* and *Nihon Shoki* that led Emperor Jimmu from Kumano to Yamato. "Yata" means "very large."
- There is no single accepted explanation for the three legs — theories include Heaven–Earth–Humankind, Sun–Moon–Stars, and influence from the three-legged sun crow of Chinese legend. The ancient texts never actually mention the number of legs.
- Worshipped at the Kumano Sanzan as a bird of guidance, and adopted as the emblem of the Japan national football team.

What is Yatagarasu?

Yatagarasu is a large crow said to be a messenger of the gods in Japanese mythology. According to the *Kojiki* and the *Nihon Shoki*, it guided Emperor Jimmu through the rugged mountain paths of Kumano on his journey to Yamato. From this legend, Yatagarasu has long been revered as a "divine bird of guidance."

The word "ata" is an ancient unit of length, and "yata" (eight ata) is said to express the meaning of "very large." In other words, Yatagarasu is a name that literally refers to a "great crow." The "eight" here is not a precise count: in Japanese myth, eight often signals abundance and sacredness, as in *yaoyorozu no kami* (the eight million gods).

The story: guiding Emperor Jimmu through Kumano

In the legend of Jimmu's eastern expedition, the emperor's forces were blocked by the deep, sacred mountains of Kumano. Unable to find a way forward, Jimmu received help from above: in the *Kojiki*, the deity Takagi-no-Okami sends Yatagarasu to lead the way; in the *Nihon Shoki*, the sun goddess Amaterasu appears in a dream and promises to send the great crow as a guide.

Led by Yatagarasu, the party crossed the mountains to Yoshino and Uda, and eventually reached Yamato, where Jimmu is said to have become the first emperor of Japan. The road opened not by human strength but by divine guidance — an image that still defines the character of Kumano as a sacred place.

Why three legs?

There are several theories as to why Yatagarasu is depicted with three legs, and no single explanation is definitive. Among the most well-known theories are:

• A theory that the three legs represent the three realms of Heaven, Earth, and Humankind
• A theory that they symbolize the Sun, Moon, and Stars, or the harmony of nature
• A theory that it was influenced by the three-legged crow (*sanzoku-u*) said to dwell in the sun in Chinese mythology

Interestingly, neither the *Kojiki* nor the *Nihon Shoki* mentions the number of legs at all — the three-legged image took shape in later centuries. All of these theories illustrate that Yatagarasu has long been regarded not as a mere bird, but as a sacred being.

Kumano and Yatagarasu

At the Kumano Sanzan — Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Hayatama Taisha, and Kumano Nachi Taisha — Yatagarasu is still cherished as a messenger of the gods, and its image appears on goshuin (shrine stamps), banners, and protective talismans. At Kumano Hongu Taisha you can even find a black "Yatagarasu post box" that really sends mail. When you visit Kumano, be sure to explore the sites connected to Yatagarasu and experience the stories of its divine guidance for yourself.

Frequently asked questions

Q. Why does the emblem of the Japan national football team feature Yatagarasu?

The three-legged crow was adopted by the Japan Football Association as a symbol of guiding the ball into the goal — just as Yatagarasu guided Emperor Jimmu to his destination. The design is said to honor Kakunosuke Nakamura, a pioneer of Japanese football with ties to the Kumano region.

Q. Is there a definitive reason Yatagarasu has three legs?

No. Theories include Heaven–Earth–Humankind, Sun–Moon–Stars, and the influence of the three-legged sun crow of Chinese mythology. The ancient chronicles themselves never state the number of legs; the three-legged image became established in later eras.

Q. Where can I see Yatagarasu in Kumano today?

Throughout the Kumano Sanzan shrines — on banners, goshuin stamps, amulets, and the black Yatagarasu post box at Kumano Hongu Taisha. The Kumano Goohu (牛王符) talisman, written in distinctive crow-shaped characters, is another place the sacred crow lives on.

Q. Does "Yatagarasu" mean "eight-legged crow"?

No. "Yata" refers to size, not legs: an *ata* was an ancient unit of length, and "eight ata" means "very large." The name simply means "great crow," with the number eight carrying a sense of sacredness.

Image: 和歌山フォトライブラリー (via 和歌山フォトライブラリー)