Learning from the Past (102) Hikosasakatawake no Mikoto (Hotakami no Mikoto), Nishimotomozuka Kofun, Tell el-Fakhariya, Selinus, Antalya, Chania, Susa, Lothal, Azumi Clan

Nishimotomozuka Kofun and Hikosasakatawake no Mikoto (Hotakami no Mikoto)
Nishimotomozuka Kofun (34°42′ N) in Nada Ward, Kobe City, is located at the same latitude as Nishimotomozuka Kofun (34°42′ N) (Figure 1), which is presumed to be the mausoleum of Emperor Kogen (presumed to be Okuninushi no Mikoto). It is a square-front, square-back burial mound, and it is highly likely that it was constructed after 250 AD (mid-3rd century). Triangular-rimmed mirrors with deities and beasts (cast from the same mold as those unearthed from Tsubai Otsukayama Kofun, presumed to be the mausoleum of Emperor Kaika) were found there. The stones for the stone chamber were transported from places like Awa and Kii, and the unearthed Haji pottery has characteristics of the San'in region, suggesting it was the tomb of a chieftain who had influence over water transport in the Seto Inland Sea and Osaka Bay.

The line connecting Nishimotomozuka Kofun and Takeinatakisayafutsu Shrine (Yamano-cho, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture) passes near Nakayama Chausuyama Kofun, presumed to be the tomb of Kibitsuhiko no Mikoto (Figure 1). Takeinatakisayafutsu Shrine enshrines Shimomichi no Kuni no Anehiko no Mikoto, but it also enshrines Susanoo no Mikoto, Kushinadahime, and Miyasuhime. Since it is a shrine that enshrines the sword of the Inata clan, it is presumed that the person buried in Nishimotomozuka Kofun had a close relationship with Emperor Korei (presumed to be Susanoo no Mikoto) and Kibitsuhiko no Mikoto.

Nunakawahime of Koshi Province and Okuninushi no Mikoto were the parents of Takeminakata no Kami. However, according to the Kojiki, Emperor Korei (Susanoo no Mikoto, Yatsukamizumitsuno no Mikoto) and Wakokakahime (Kamioyatsuhime) had a son named Hikosasakatawake no Mikoto, who was a brother of Okibitsuhiko no Mikoto (Kibitsuhiko no Mikoto). Since he is considered the ancestor of the Koshi no Riha no Omi, it is thought that Nunakawahime was the daughter of Hikosasakatawake no Mikoto.

Amasashinowake Shrine (Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture), which enshrines Hikosasakatawake no Mikoto, and the line connecting it to Nishimotomozuka Kofun intersects almost at a right angle with the line connecting Niutsuhime Shrine (Katsuragi-cho, Ito-gun, Wakayama Prefecture) and Palermo. The latter line passes near the Tennoyama Kofun Group, where the tombs of Ninigi no Mikoto and Niutsuhime no Mikoto are presumed to be located (Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture) (Figure 2). Since Nishimotomozuka Kofun is connected to Amasashinowake Shrine, it is presumed that the person buried in Nishimotomozuka Kofun is Hikosasakatawake no Mikoto.

Hotaka Shrine in Hotaka, Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture, enshrines Susanoo no Mikoto (Sashikuni no Okami)'s son, Hotakami no Mikoto, who is considered the ancestor of the Azumi clan. Since the person buried in Nishimotomozuka Kofun is considered to be a chieftain with influence over water transport, it is consistent if he is the ancestor of the Azumi clan.

Amasashinowake Shrine (Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture), which enshrines Hikosasakatawake no Mikoto, and the line connecting it to Hotaka Shrine passes near Norikura Daigongen (Hirayu, Okuhida Onsen-go, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture), Nabi Shingu Shrine (Nabi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City), Kojinyama Shrine (Kiyosaki-cho, Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture), Kansho-ji Temple (Kanshoji Niodomachi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto City), Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine (Yawata City, Kyoto Prefecture), Tarumi Shrine (Suita City, Osaka Prefecture), and Kongo-ji Temple (Minamiawaji City, Hyogo Prefecture) (Figure 3). This line is consistent with the presumption that Hikosasakatawake no Mikoto is Hotakami no Mikoto.

Hikosashikatawake-no-Mikoto and the Mitanni Kingdom
The line (Figure 4) connecting the Nishigumyo-zuka Kofun (Nada Ward, Kobe City), which is presumed to be the tomb of Hikosashikatawake-no-Mikoto (Hotakami-no-Mikoto), and Tell el-Fakhariya (Tell Fecheriye) passes near Oto-toshi Shrine (Biwako-cho, Kasai City), Nagi Shrine (Chizu-cho, Yazu-gun, Tottori Prefecture), and Hoki Inari Shrine (Kotoura-cho, Tohaku-gun, Tottori Prefecture) (Figure 4).

Mitanni Kingdom, Selinus, and the Minoan Civilization
Tell el-Fakhariya (Tell Fecheriye) was a site where a city existed continuously from the early 2nd millennium BC until around 800 AD, and it is considered to be Washukanni, the capital of the Mitanni Kingdom. Tell el-Fakhariya is also connected by a ley line to Qasr Nuwayra, and this line passes near Antalya and Harran (Figure 5). Antalya is located near the line connecting the Brauron site and Susa, and it is said that people have lived there for 40,000 years. Extending the line connecting Tell el-Fakhariya and Selinus (Selinus Ancient City) reaches near Chania on the island of Crete, where the Palace of Knossos, which is thought to be similar to the Tatetsuki site, is located (Figure 5). Kastelli Hill in Chania is where the center of the ancient city of Cydonia once stood, and it was a settlement of the Minoan civilization.

The line connecting Syracuse and the Lothal site (Lothal Museum), which is presumed to be related to the Minoans passes near the Akrotiri site on the island of Santorini and Selinus (Selinus Ancient City), and passes near Susa (Shush), which is associated with Emperor Kōrei (presumed to be Susanoo-no-Mikoto) (Figure 6).

The people who built Selinus are thought to be connected to the Minoan civilization and the Mitanni Kingdom.