Yata-Garasu

Yata-Garasu

The three legged crow is a mystical symbol of the Kumano. All three ancient roads of Nakahechi, Kohechi, and Okugakemichi lead to the shrine at Kumano Hongu Taisha where I first saw the symbol. The Kumano Hongu Taisha is a World Heritage Site. There are many crows in Tanabe and as I have mentioned there is a rookery by our home. One of the first times I was fascinated by crows was at the home of Maren Krings' in Germany. I don't remember the town, but we were South of Frankfurt. I pointed out what I saw to be a graceful jet black bird with something like an "Ahhh Wow" and was quickly responded to by Maren's Dad with, oh that's a "Crab Crab". Which later became a nickname for me. Turns out that the bird is a nuisance around the neighborhood of the Krings' Family. The symbol of the crow however, is one of beauty and grace to me. In Tanabe, we often stop to watch their flight. It is no wonder that they are a symbol of this town we now call home.