According to the legend, Jimmu is the great-great-grandchild of Amaterasu, the Japanese Sun Goddess of Shintô, and he is said to have received the Three Imperial Insignia (sword, mirror and jewel) from her.

From the point of view of modern science of history, Jimmu is a mystic figure. It seems, that in this case we are talking about a junction of several princes of the Japanese antiquity. He started a military expedition, conquered Yamato and established it as his centre of power. Jimmu is often illustrated with bow (yumi) and a crow in the background. The bird which was sent by Takamimusubi (one of the three divinity of heaven) guided him on his eastward conquest.
Beautiful scroll - Possibly interesting for Kyudô enthusiasts.

Honshi: Handpainted on silk
Künstler: Unknown (Signature and seal)
Date: Probably around 1940 (Mid Shôwa)
Length: approx. 193 cm
Width: approx. 39 cm
Material chûmawashi: Brocade silk
Material honshi: Silk
Material ichimonji: Brocade silk
Material tenchi: Silk
Material of the endpieces (jikubô): Wood
Condition: Good according to its age. Brilliant colours. Throughout mould stains due to its age. The aera of the ten is darkened. Some stains in the upper chûmawashi. Due to its age slightly soiled in the area of the jibubô.
Overall, a wonderful mythologic illustration.

This image may slightly vary in colour to the original - due to the photo/scan.