Hikoyai-no-Mikoto was a member of a Japanese imperial family according to the Kojiki. He was the eldest of three princes born to Empress Himetataraisuzu-hime on the banks of the Sakai River.
Emperor Jimmu and Himetataraisuzuhime-no-mikoto, parents of Hikoyai-no-Mikoto
He is not mentioned in the "Nihon Shoki" and is not known by any other name. Hikoyai-no-Mikoto's father was Emperor Jimmu, and his brothers were Kamuyaimimi and Emperor Suizei.
After Jimmu died, Empress Himetataraisuzu-hime married Tagishimimi, her stepson. Tagishimimi tried to kill the brothers but was instead killed by Suizei, who became the second emperor. Hikoyai-no-Mikoto did not have an active role in the story and did not play a significant part in the narrative. This is common in Japanese mythology where some brothers do not play a major role.
However, Hikoyai-no-Mikoto's name is not mentioned in the Nihon Shoki. In other sources, such as the Shinsen Seijiroku, the Ibarada-ren article of the Ukyo Emperor, and the "Aso Family Brief Genealogical Record," there is a different theory that suggests he is the son of Kamiyai-mimi-no-mikoto. Interestingly, Hikoyai-mikoto's name does not appear in the "Aso Genealogy" or the "Monzan Genealogy" found in the 16th volume of the "Shoshu Keifu."
The "Shinsen Shōjiroku" commissioned by Emperor Saga and the "Aso Genealogy (阿蘇家略系譜, Aso-ka ryaku keifu)" have a different theory that suggests Hikoyai was the son of Kamuyaimimi, as opposed to the previously mentioned belief that he was the son of Himetataraisuzu-hime and Jimmu.
There are also three sons ( Hoseri , Hosuseri , and Hoori ), and the youngest child succeeds to the throne. Only two of the three sons have appeared, and one is ignored.
According to Japanese mythology, there were three sons earlier named Hoseri, Hosuseri, and Hoori, and the youngest of them succeeded to the throne. However, only two of the three brothers are mentioned in mythological accounts, and the third brother is often ignored. This story is similar to the tale of Hikoyai Kamuyaimimi and Jimmu.
Hikoyai-no-Mikoto is the forefather of the Ibarata Ren and Teshima Ren..
At Aso Shrine located in Kumamoto, Hikoyai-no-Mikoto is worshipped as Kokuryu Myojin (Yoshimi-jin). He is believed to be the father of Asotsu-hime-mei and the grandfather of Takeiwatatsu-no-Mikoto, who was the son of Kamuyaimimi-no-Mikoto..
References
123"日子八井命". 日本古代氏族人名辞典 普及版[Dictionary of Ancient Japanese Clan Names Popular Edition]. ja:吉川弘文館. 2010. ISBN9784642014588.
123日本人名大辞典+Plus, デジタル版. "日子八井命とは". コトバンク (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-06-01.
↑Hoga Hisao, "Chapter 2: Imperial Clans, Section 1: The Many Clans", Ancient Clans Genealogical Collection, Vol. 1, Ancient Clans Study Group, 1986, p. 210.
