Background
Sukune Nomi-no was born in Izumo Province (Shimane Prefecture).
Sukune Nomi-no was born in Izumo Province (Shimane Prefecture).
Sukune Nomi-no was made a Courtier by Emperor Suinin for having defeated Taima-no-Kehaya, a man who boasted of being the strongest man in Japan, in a wrestling match. When the emperor's consort, Empress Hihasuhime, died, he asked for and obtained the emperor's permission to abolish the custom of subjects killing themselves to follow their deceased masters. Instead of self-immolation, Sukune brought potters from Izumo and had them make earthen images of men and horses and had them buried with the remains of the Empress. Those images were called haniwa. In recognition of his merit, Emperor Suinin gave him the family name Hashino-omi, or Chief of Pottem. His family was in charge of Court funerals for many generations.