Prince Karu and Princess Karu - Karu no Miko

Japanese: 軽太子･軽大郎女 - かるのみこかるのおおいらつめ

The section on Emperor Ingyō in the Kojiki and Nihon shoki describes a prince and princess who are said to have had an incestuous relationship between brother and sister. According to the Kojiki, Prince Karu, who was expected to take the throne after the death of Emperor Ingyō, had an affair with his full sister, Karu no Dairōme, and the hearts of the people of Japan turned away from Prince Karu and towards his younger brother, Prince Anaho. Both princes raised an army and fought a battle, but Prince Karu was captured and exiled to Iyo no Yu (Dogo Onsen). At that time, the brother and sister exchanged songs: "Even the birds flying in the sky are messengers. When you hear the sound of the cranes, ask me my name," and "Please do not step on the oyster shells on the beach of the summer grass, Ahine, and let me pass."

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

記紀の允恭（いんぎよう）天皇条に兄妹で相姦したと伝えられる皇子･皇女。《古事記》によれば，允恭天皇の死後即位予定者である軽太子が同母妹軽大郎女と通じたため，天下の人心は軽太子を離れて弟の穴穂（あなほ）皇子になびいた。両皇子とも兵をおこし一戦におよぶが，軽太子は捕らえられて伊予の湯(道後温泉)に流される。そのさい，この兄妹は〈天飛ぶ鳥も使ぞ鶴（たづ）が音（ね）の聞えむ時は我が名問はさね〉〈夏草のあひねの浜の蠣（かき）貝に足踏ますなあかして通れ〉と歌い交わした。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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