Sorcery, witchcraft, and magic—such were the dark powers ascribed to ancient Japanese ruler Himiko, who presided over the Yamatai realm and neighboring principalities in the third century CE. Much of what is known about her and her kingdom comes from early Chinese historical accounts, specifically the Hou Hanshu and the Wei zhi, a section of a larger document that contains information from Chinese envoys on the people and kingdoms of early Japan.

The histories describe Himiko as an unmarried shaman-queen who practiced magic and sorcery and ruled over the powerful kingdom of Yamatai and nearly thirty other chiefdoms. Portrayed as a mysterious and reclusive figure, Himiko came to power after a decades-long period of war and strife under a male ruler. She was rarely seen and lived inside a closely guarded palace with many female servants and just one man. Her younger brother aided her in ruling the kingdom.

Himiko engaged in diplomacy with the Chinese Wei kingdom. In return, Himiko received official recognition of her position as queen of Japan, as well as gifts of brocades, silks and wools, gold, swords, pearls, cinnabar, and bronze mirrors. Chinese historians report that Himiko died around the age of sixty-five and was buried in a large tomb with a sacrifice of a hundred slaves. A period of mass instability followed her death. A male ruler briefly tried to reign, but he was rejected outright by the people. Finally, a female relative of Himiko’s—a thirteen-year-old girl named Iyo—ascended to the throne and was accepted by the populace.