Kumano Okami refers to the deities enshrined across the Kumano sanzan, the three grand shrines of the Kumano region, whose sacred messenger is the three-legged crow Yatagarasu. Yatagarasu is traditionally said to have guided Emperor Jinmu through the mountains during his legendary eastern campaign, and for this reason the crow became associated with guidance toward victory and successful outcomes. Today Yatagarasu is widely recognized as a symbol connected to sports and competitive achievement in Japan, though this connection draws on legend and cultural association rather than formal doctrine.