Governor of the prefecture - Agata-nushi

In ancient times, they were chiefs who ruled the prefectures (agata) of the Yamato dynasty's local system, and later became surnames (kabane). They provided the imperial court with local products from the prefectures that were directly controlled by the Yamato dynasty, and also managed the shrines in the prefectures. The Kamo no Kami of Yamashiro (Kyoto Prefecture) worshiped Kamo Shrine (the predecessor of the current Kamigamo Shrine and Shimogamo Shrine) and managed the agriculture in the area. In addition, they were involved in the Shinto rituals of the imperial court, and at the Daijosai (the enthronement ceremony) of the emperor, they held up a lantern and served as guides for the night-time rituals. It is said that this was the basis for the story in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki that the Yatagarasu (a crow) worshipped by the Kamo no Kami no Kami served as a guide for Emperor Jimmu. In this way, there are many examples of the nobility who had a deep connection with the Shinto rituals of the imperial court.

[Reiji Harashima]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

古代、大和(やまと)王権の地方制度県(あがた)を支配した首長で、のちに姓(かばね)となる。大和王権の直轄領となった県から、その特産物を朝廷に納め、また県の神社を管理した。山城(やましろ)（京都府）の鴨(かも)県主は、賀茂(かも)神社（現在の上賀茂神社、下鴨神社の前身）を祀(まつ)り、その地域の農耕を管理していた。そのかたわら、宮廷の神事にも携わり、天皇即位の大嘗祭(だいじょうさい)には、灯を掲げて夜間祭事の案内役を勤めた。このことがもとになって、鴨県主が祀る八咫烏(やたがらす)が、神武(じんむ)天皇の道案内役を勤めたという、『古事記』『日本書紀』の話が生まれたといわれる。このように、県主のなかには宮中の神事と関係の深い例も少なくない。

［原島礼二］

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