Izumo Takeru- Japanese FigureMortal
Also known as: 出雲建
Description
Warrior chieftain of Izumo Province killed by Yamato Takeru through a ruse. The hero befriended him, secretly carved a wooden sword to replace his own, then proposed an exchange of blades and cut down the disarmed man.
Mythology & Lore
The Ruse at the Hi River
After Yamato Takeru had killed the Kumaso Takeru brothers in Kyushu, his father Emperor Keikō sent him to subdue the remaining regions resisting Yamato authority. In Izumo Province, a warrior chieftain called Izumo Takeru (出雲建) held power independent of the central court.
Yamato Takeru did not march on Izumo with an army. He went alone, befriended the chieftain, and spent time eating and drinking in his company until Izumo Takeru regarded him as a sworn companion. All the while, Yamato Takeru was preparing his deception. He secretly carved a replica of his own sword from wood and began wearing the fake at his side in place of the real blade.
When the two went to bathe together in the Hi River, Yamato Takeru climbed out of the water first. He picked up Izumo Takeru's real sword and proposed they exchange weapons, a gesture of brotherhood between warriors. Izumo Takeru agreed without hesitation, strapping on what he believed was his companion's blade.
Yamato Takeru then challenged him to a duel. When Izumo Takeru reached for the sword at his hip, the wooden replica would not come free of its scabbard. He stood disarmed before a man he had called friend. Yamato Takeru cut him down. The Kojiki records that the victor composed a song over the body, mocking the wooden sword that could not be drawn.
Relationships
- Slain by