The ancient Japanese practice of , ''lit.'' "viewing the realm", involved climbing a mountain to survey the land, often before praising it in

song A song is a musical composition intended to be performed by the human voice. This is often done at distinct and fixed pitches (melodies) using patterns of sound and silence. Songs contain various forms, such as those including the repetit ...

. It also often uses spatial elements and metaphors to affirm prosperity and power of a ruler. It is documented in the early chronicles the '' Kojiki'' and '' Nihon Shoki'' as well as in a number of poems in the Man'yōshū.

Origins

Close association with the

Imperial House A dynasty is a sequence of rulers from the same family,''Oxford English Dictionary'', "dynasty, ''n''." Oxford University Press (Oxford), 1897. usually in the context of a monarchical system, but sometimes also appearing in republics. A d ...

may suggest that ''kunimi'' was an agricultural rite imported from China; alternatively it may have been a folk practice. The "

blood relationship Consanguinity ("blood relation", from Latin '' consanguinitas'') is the characteristic of having a kinship with another person (being descended from a common ancestor). Many jurisdictions have laws prohibiting people who are related by blood fro ...

" between emperor and land gives ''kunimi'' added significance. The earliest documented occurrence was in 663 BC, when

Emperor Jimmu was the legendary first emperor of Japan according to the '' Nihon Shoki'' and ''Kojiki''. His ascension is traditionally dated as 660 BC.Kelly, Charles F"Kofun Culture"Uda and spotted 80 bandits on Kunimi Hill. He is advised by the

kami are the deities, divinities, spirits, phenomena or "holy powers", that are venerated in the Shinto religion. They can be elements of the landscape, forces of nature, or beings and the qualities that these beings express; they can also be the sp ...

to subdue them by gathering clay from Mount Kagu and creating from it sacred vessels for propitiatory sacrifice accompanied by incantation. In 630 Jimmu himself ascended the hill of Wakigami no Hohoma no Oka, viewed the land, and observed:

"Oh! what a beautiful country we have become possessed of! Though a blessed land of inner-tree-fibre, yet it resembles a dragonfly licking its hinder parts".

The imperial excursions of Emperor Ōjin and

Emperor Yūryaku (418 - 8 September 479) was the 21st legendary Emperor of Japan,Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 雄略天皇 (21) retrieved 2013-8-28. according to the traditional order of succession. He is remembered as a patron of sericulture.Nippon ...

also led to ''kunimi''.

Examples

There are a number of ''kunimi uta'' or land-viewing poems

Man'yōshū 1: 2 by Emperor Jomei:

This land-praising poem is composed by the emperor Jomei. The origin of "Dragonfly" refers to Japan according to the mythological first Emperor of japan,

Jimmu was the legendary first emperor of Japan according to the '' Nihon Shoki'' and ''Kojiki''. His ascension is traditionally dated as 660 BC.Kelly, Charles F"Kofun Culture"Emperor Ōjin In the poem/songs above, the emperor Ojin stood on Uji field and praise the land on the trip to Chikatu Omi (the province around Lake Biwa). Nihonshoki song # 77 by

In the song above, when

made an excursion to that field, he named the place the fields of Michi with an upsurge of emotion.

References

{{Reflist Japanese culture History of mountaineering Mountaineering in Japan

Origins

Examples

Man'yōshū 1: 2 by Emperor Jomei:

See also

References