Yatagarasu(八咫烏)

The insignia of Kumano Kodo is the three-legged sacred raven, Yata-garasu. This Shinto deity symbolizes guidance and divine intervention.

According to folklore, the mythological creature guided Japan’s first Emperor, Jimmu (reigned ca 660 – 585 BC), who had lost his way whilst travelling through Kumano.

Each of the three Kumano Sanzan shrines sell beautiful paper talismans featuring the Yata-garasu.

It is also known that Yata‐garasu is mainly used as the symbol of the Japan Football Association and the design of the Japanese representative embleｍ.