Himiko (fl. 3rd c.)

Chinese shaman who ruled Japan in the 3rd century and was responsible for opening trade and diplomatic relations with China. Name variations: Pimiko; Pimiku; Pimiho; Pimisho; Yamato-hime-mikoto; Yametsu-hime. Pronunciation: He-ME-koe. Ruled around 190–247 ce.

According to ancient Chinese dynastic histories—the oldest written records of Japan—political turmoil in the land of Wa (Japan) culminated in the naming of a woman ruler: "Finally, people agreed to take a woman as their ruler, and called her Himiko. She was adept in the ways of shamanism and could bewitch people." Perhaps still in her teens, Himiko, meaning Sun Daughter (the sun goddess was thought to have created the Japanese islands), was said to have been popular with both the warring chieftains and her subjects because of her abilities in "the way of the demons," a form of shamanism. After having been named ruler around 190 ce, Himiko was sequestered with 1,000 female attendants. Only one male servant was permitted in her midst to serve food and deliver messages. Military guards patrolled her garrisoned palace, permitting no one else to see her.

During Himiko's long rule as queen of Wa, the warrior chieftains and those of the neighboring Korean kingdoms were in conflict. In order to establish ties with the more secure Chinese dynasty, she paid homage to the Chinese emperor and sent him gifts of cloth and slaves. These acts of friendship led to trade and diplomatic relations between China and Japan.

Himiko had a younger brother who was responsible for the day-to-day responsibilities of government. The Chinese dynastic accounts indicate that after she died, around 247, a huge earthen mound was built on her grave site and over 100 female and male servants followed her in death.

sources:

"Gods, Cavemen, and a Mysterious Queen," in The East. Vol. II, no. 3, 1965, pp. 11–16.

Yonekura Isamu. "Himiko, Queen of the Wa: Japan Around the Middle of the Third Century," in The East. Vol. X, no. 5, 1974, pp. 43–51.

suggested reading:

Hong, Wontack. Paekche of Korea and the Origin of Yamato Japan. Seoul: Kudara International. 1994.

Linda L. Johnson , Professor of History, Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota