If you look at the emblem of the Japan national team, you will notice a three-legged crow at its center.
This crow is known as Yatagarasu, a legendary figure from Japanese mythology.
However, Yatagarasu was not originally described as having three legs.
The emblem of the Japan Football Association (JFA) brings together two different cultural traditions: the three-legged crow, known as Sansoku-u, from ancient China, and Yatagarasu from Japanese mythology.
What Is Sansoku-u? The Three-Legged Crow from Ancient China
The three-legged crow comes from an ancient Chinese tradition known as Sansoku-u (三足烏).
Sansoku-u was associated with the sun, and the tradition spread across East Asia through the Korean Peninsula.
It eventually reached Japan, where it became associated with Yatagarasu, the crow that appears in Japanese mythology.
This is why Yatagarasu came to be depicted with three legs in Japan.
What Is Yatagarasu? The Crow Who Guided Emperor Jimmu
Yatagarasu appears in the Japanese classics Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, which contain some of Japan’s oldest myths and historical traditions.
According to the story of Emperor Jimmu’s eastern expedition, Yatagarasu was sent by the gods to guide him on his journey.
For this reason, Yatagarasu is associated with the idea of guidance.
Interestingly, however, neither the Kojiki nor the Nihon Shoki states that Yatagarasu had three legs.
The three-legged appearance developed through the connection between Yatagarasu and the ancient Chinese tradition of Sansoku-u.
How Did the Three-Legged Crow Become the JFA Emblem?
In June 1931, the predecessor of the Japan Football Association, the Dai Nippon Football Association, decided to establish a symbol for its association flag.
At a national delegates’ meeting in 1932, a design by sculptor Jitsuzo Hinako was adopted for the association’s flag.
Hinako used Yatagarasu from Japanese mythology as the inspiration for his design.
This was how the three-legged crow became a symbol of the Japan Football Association.
Historical JFA Emblems
The JFA emblem has changed in appearance over the course of its long history.
While the three-legged crow has remained the central motif, details such as the shape of the crow, lettering, and shield design have changed over the years.
These changes can also be seen when looking at Japan national team jerseys from different eras.
Yatagarasu and the Japan National Team Emblem
The three-legged crow at the center of the Japan national team emblem is more than just a football symbol.
Its history connects three elements:
- the ancient Chinese tradition of Sansoku-u
- Yatagarasu from Japanese mythology
- the JFA symbol adopted in 1932
The emblem brings together two different traditions: the three-legged crow as a symbol associated with the sun, and Yatagarasu as the mythical guide who led Emperor Jimmu.
The Three-Legged Crow at the Heart of Japan Football
The three-legged crow has been part of the identity of Japanese football for more than 90 years.
Its design reflects a history that goes beyond football, connecting East Asian tradition, Japanese mythology, and the history of the Japan Football Association.
Today, the distinctive three-legged crow remains at the heart of the Japan national team emblem.
