Empress Jingu (Okinagatarashihime)
神功皇后（息長帯比売命）
Semi-legendary empress; deity of safe childbirth, maritime protection, and victory in battle
About
Empress Jingu is a semi-legendary figure traditionally regarded as the consort of Emperor Chuai and mother of Emperor Ojin (Hachiman). According to the Nihon Shoki, when Chuai died during a campaign in Kyushu, Jingu received divine instructions from the Sumiyoshi deities to cross the sea and subjugate the kingdoms of the Korean peninsula.
Allegedly pregnant with the future Emperor Ojin, she bound stones to her belly to delay the birth and led the naval expedition herself. The miraculous campaign resulted in the submission of the kingdoms, and she gave birth to Ojin upon her return—an event celebrated in shrines throughout Japan as divine safe childbirth.
Historians treat the narrative as largely legendary, with possible kernels reflecting fourth-century interactions between Japan and the Korean kingdoms. Regardless of historicity, Jingu's cult is widespread, and she is venerated at Hakozaki-gu, Sumiyoshi Taisha, and many Hachiman shrines as a powerful maternal and martial figure.
Mythology
Family Relationships
Children
Shrines Dedicated to This Deity
| Shrine | Prefecture | Network Role |
|---|---|---|
| Osaki Hachimangu 大崎八幡宮 | Miyagi | branch |
| Tsurugaoka Hachimangu 鶴岡八幡宮 | Kanagawa | major_branch |
| Kehi Jingu 氣比神宮 | Fukui | |
| Iwashimizu Hachimangu 石清水八幡宮 | Kyoto | One of three major Hachiman shrines |
| Sumiyoshi Taisha 住吉大社 | Osaka | Head shrine (souhonsha) |
| Sumiyoshi Shrine (Shimonoseki) 住吉神社 | Yamaguchi | notable_branch |
| Iminomiya Shrine 忌宮神社 | Yamaguchi | |
| Kameyama Shrine (Kure) 亀山神社 | Hiroshima | |
| Isaniwa Shrine 伊佐爾波神社 | Ehime | branch |
| Usa Jingu 宇佐神宮 | Oita | head |
| Hakozaki Shrine 筥崎宮 | Fukuoka | notable_branch |
| Kashii Shrine 香椎宮 | Fukuoka | |
| Miyajidake Shrine 宮地嶽神社 | Fukuoka | |
| Umi Hachimangu 宇美八幡宮 | Fukuoka | branch |
Frequently Asked Questions
Information provided by Jinja DB Editorial Team
Who is Empress Jingu (Okinagatarashihime) in Japanese mythology?
Empress Jingu (Okinagatarashihime) (神功皇后（息長帯比売命）) is Semi-legendary empress; deity of safe childbirth, maritime protection, and victory in battle. This deity appears in Kojiki & Nihon Shoki and is enshrined at 14 shrines across Japan.
What shrines are dedicated to Empress Jingu (Okinagatarashihime)?
There are 14 shrines in our database dedicated to Empress Jingu (Okinagatarashihime), including Osaki Hachimangu, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Kehi Jingu and more.
What myths involve Empress Jingu (Okinagatarashihime)?
Empress Jingu (Okinagatarashihime) appears in 1 myths including The Expedition of Empress Jingu. These stories come from Kojiki & Nihon Shoki.