Toyotama-Hime
Toyotama-Hime is the Luminous Jewel; Princess of the Dragon Palace; Dragon Princess of the Sea
Toyotama-hime (literally “Princess Toyotama”) is a dragon princess, the daughter of Ryujin, Dragon King of the Sea. She married Hikoho-hodemi no Mikoto (also known as Hoori), youngest of Konohana and Ninigi’s sons. He lived with her in a palace beneath the sea for three years but then became homesick. Although pregnant, Toyotama-hime returned to Earth with him. She made him swear not to watch her while she was giving birth but to give her privacy. He broke his promise: she transformed into a dragon in labor, her true form.
According to the Ryugu Fellowship, a Shinto sect also known as the Dragon Princess cult, Toyotama-hime is humanity’s true savior. They believe their founder, the shaman Fujita Himiko, to be an avatar of Toyotama-hime.
Angered by this betrayal, Toyotama-hime abandoned Hoori and returned to the sea, where she remains. She sent her sister Tamayori-hime to raise and guard her son. Aunt and nephew eventually married. Their child became Emperor Jimmu, first emperor of Japan.
ALSO KNOWN AS:
Otohime; Toyotamahime; Toyotama-hime-no-mikoto
MANIFESTATION:
Toyotama-hime is a transformer who can appear in the guise of a beautiful woman, a dragon, a turtle, and perhaps other forms as well.
CREATURES:
Turtle and dragon
SACRED SITES:
Sites where Toyotama is venerated include the Otonashi Shrine in Otanashi, Ito City, renowned for providing fertility and safe, successful childbirth and the Itsukushima shrine near Hiroshima, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996.
SEE ALSO:
Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses – Written by Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.