Amaterasu
Great Divinity Illuminating Heaven Goddess of The Sun
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Amaterasu, the Japanese Sun Goddess
Sources: https://www.worldhistory.org/Amaterasu/
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Amaterasu Omikami ('the Great Divinity Illuminating Heaven') is the sun goddess and most important deity of the Shinto religion. Amaterasu is the ruler of Takama no Hara (the High Celestial Plain), the domain of the kami or spirits. The most important Shinto shrine in Japan, the Ise Grand Shrine or Jingu, is dedicated to Amaterasu.
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Also known as Oho-hir-me-no-muchi or Amaterasu-oho-hiru-me, Amaterasu is the daughter of Izanami and Izanagi who made their daughter ruler of the sky. When her father Izanagi escaped from his visit to the underworld he had to perform a cleansing ritual in the river Woto and it was then, from the god's left eye, that Amaterasu was born. She is also the elder sister of Susanoo (or Susa-no-wo) the storm god. Amaterasu constantly quarreled with her mischievous younger brother and finally having enough, she exiled him from heaven.
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Amaterasu & the Cave
Perhaps the most celebrated myth concerning Amaterasu is when she blocked herself in a cave following an argument with Susanoo when he surprised the goddess with a monstrous flayed horse when she was quietly weaving in her palace with her younger sister Waka-hiru-me. As a consequence of Amaterasu's disappearance, the world was cast in total darkness and evil spirits ran riot over the earth.
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The gods tried all manner of ways to persuade the peeved goddess to leave the cave. On the advice of Omohi-Kane, cocks were set outside the cave in the hope their crows would make the goddess think that dawn had come. The gods also placed a large sakaki tree (Cleyera japonica) near the cave entrance and decorated it with sparkling jewels (magatama), fine white clothes and a mirror at its centre.
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In addition, the goddess Amenouzume (or Ama-no-Uzeme) danced so wildly in a striptease routine that the other gods' uproarious laughter finally excited the curiosity of Amaterasu. Opening the blocked cave just enough to see what was going on and whilst distracted by seeing her stunning reflection in the mirror, the strong god Ame-no-tajikara-wo yanked the goddess out of the cave entrance. Tuto-Tamu then held behind the goddess a pole of plaited straw and emphatically stated that the goddess could hide no longer and the world was once more bathed in her radiant sunlight.
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Amaterasu's son is Ama-no-Oshiho-mimi who was requested by his mother to reign over the terrestrial kingdom. However, when he stood on Ama-no-hashidate, the bridge which linked heaven to earth, and saw the disorder amongst the earthly deities he rather petulantly refused the role. At this Amaterasu asked the advice of Taka-mi-Musubi, and consequently, a council of all the gods was convened.
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The decision of this council was to send Ama-no-Hoki down to earth and properly assess the situation. However, after a period of three years, there had still not been any word from Ama-no-Hoki and so a second council was called. This time the gods sent Ame-waka-hiko armed with his divine bow and arrows. He too, though, proved a less than reliable envoy when he was distracted by and married Shita-teru-hime (the daughter of Oho-kuni-nushi) so that he forgot completely his original mission.
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After eight years without any news, the gods finally sent the pheasant Na-naki-me to find Ame-waka-hiko. The latter though, on seeing the pheasant, took the bird for a bad omen and swiftly shot the poor creature on the spot with one of his arrows. However, as the arrow was a divine one, it shot straight through the unlucky pheasant and carried on straight up to heaven, landing finally at the feet of Taka-mi-Musubi. The god, rather unimpressed no doubt, promptly threw the arrow back down to earth where it landed rather unfortunately in the chest of Ame-waka-hiko and killed him outright.
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Ruling the Underworld
These events necessitated a third council of the gods to be called and it was decided to send Take-mika-zuchi, the god of thunder, and Futsu-nushi, the god of fire, armed with their swords to negotiate with Oho-kuni-nushi, the earthly ruler, and persuade him of the wisdom of recognising Amaterasu's claim to sovereignty over the earth as well as heaven.
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Oho-kuni-nushi, understandably reluctant to hand over his power without a fuss, consulted his two sons. The eldest son Koto-shiro-nushi counselled his father to concede peacefully, but his younger son Take-minakata advised resistance. The latter then unwisely fought with Take-mika-zuchi but he was no match for the thunder god and was easily defeated. Seeing the hopelessness of his position, Oho-kuni-nushi graciously gave up sovereignty to Amaterasu and left to rule the underworld instead.
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The Imperial Regalia of Japan
Now that things were finally sorted out down below, Amaterasu once again asked her son Ama-no-Oshiho-mimi, to govern the earth. For a second time he refused but nominated in his place his son Ninigi-no-Mikoto. To this Amaterasu agreed and gave Ninigi three gifts to help him on his way. These were the Yasakani, a jewel (or pearls), source of the ancient quarrel between Amaterasu and Susanoo; Yata, the mirror from the cave episode; and Kusanagi, the sword Susanoo had plucked from a monster's tail.
Read More Kusanagi
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These would become the three emblems of Ninigi's power (sanshu no jingi) and became the imperial regalia of his descendants, the emperors of Japan. Indeed, the first Japanese emperor, Jimmu (r. 660-585 BCE), who founded the state in 660 BCE was said to be a direct descendant of Amaterasu. This belief allowed successive emperors to likewise claim divine ancestry and so exercise absolute authority.
Read More Yamata no Orochi The Eight Headed Dragon Serpent Yamato Clan click
METAL DE FACTO - Rise Amaterasu
Lyrics
When it all began there was only chaos
A world, a formless void, no order, no laws
Gods took their spears, stirred the waters
From the swirling sea an island rose
Can you hear the voices from the high plain of heaven?
From the sun a ray of light
Embraced the earth for first time
And the gods of creation shed a tear in awe
From the sun a ray of light
Embraced the moon high in the sky
The dawn of the nation, the sign of the bright days to come
Through the aeons, the burden to carry
The keepers of order and harmony
The divine justice
A child born with flames a burning tragedy
Hiding in a cave is the grieving mother
Can you hear the voices?
Rise Amaterasu!
Pictures Videos Music and Additional Reading
AMATERASU - Beautiful Meditative Ambient Music with Shakuhachi - Inner and Outer Peace, Relaxation
"Amaterasu" is an important deity in Japanese mythology and is often worshiped as the sun goddess. She embodies the vitality and beauty of nature and is seen as the source of light and warmth.
The mysterious woman in the picture invites us to connect with her spiritual being. The scenery around them - the lake, the waterfall, the mountain and the pagoda - provide a meditative atmosphere that motivates us to explore our own inner landscape.
Amaterasu 天照大神
Amaterasu (Rara Avis & AtYyA Remix)
Joss Jaffe
Lyrics:
Amaterasu-ōmikami
Japanese:
天照大神
Amaterasu: The Sun Goddess in Shinto Mythology
Source: https://www.shimizuart.org/post/amaterasu-the-sun-goddess-in-shinto-mythology
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In the rich tapestry of Japanese mythology, few deities shine as brightly as Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess and one of the central figures in Shinto, Japan’s indigenous religion. Revered as the goddess of the sun and the universe, Amaterasu holds a position of immense cultural and spiritual significance, embodying themes of light, harmony, and the enduring connection between the divine and the imperial lineage of Japan.
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The Origins of Amaterasu
Amaterasu’s story originates from the Kojiki ("Records of Ancient Matters") and the Nihon Shoki ("Chronicles of Japan"), the two oldest chronicles of Japanese history and mythology. According to these texts, she was born from the left eye of Izanagi, one of the primordial creator deities, during a purification ritual. Her siblings, Tsukuyomi (the moon god) and Susanoo (the storm god), were similarly birthed from Izanagi’s body. Together, they represent the natural forces that govern the world.
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The Divine Role of Amaterasu
Amaterasu is venerated as the goddess of the sun and the leader of the Takamagahara, the heavenly realm where Shinto deities reside. Her radiance is said to bring light and life to the world, symbolizing growth, prosperity, and hope. In Shinto belief, the sun’s cycle mirrors the balance and renewal inherent in nature, with Amaterasu embodying these principles.
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Her significance extends beyond mythology; she is also considered the divine ancestor of the Japanese imperial family. Emperor Jimmu, the legendary first emperor of Japan, is said to be a direct descendant of Amaterasu, establishing the divine legitimacy of Japan’s rulers.
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Amaterasu and the Imperial Lineage
The link between Amaterasu and Japan’s imperial family is a cornerstone of Shinto belief. According to tradition, she entrusted her grandson, Ninigi-no-Mikoto, with the task of descending to Earth to rule Japan. She gave him three sacred treasures—the Yata no Kagami (sacred mirror), the Yasakani no Magatama (curved jewel), and the Kusanagi no Tsurugi (sacred sword)—which became the imperial regalia of Japan.
Read More Kusanagi
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These treasures symbolize wisdom, benevolence, and valor, embodying the qualities expected of a ruler. The connection to Amaterasu affirms the emperor’s role as a mediator between the divine and the earthly realms, reinforcing the unity of the Japanese people and their land.
Read More Yamata no Orochi The Eight Headed Dragon Serpent Yamato Clan click
Whispered - Fallen Amaterasu
Lyrics
Left to rot by our actions unspoken
Her flesh consumed by times of ignorance
No-one gave her glory for the light she brought upon us
our fates sealed by her hatred burning forever
Flames upon myself
for I didn't bow for her brightness
No food grows in the land burnt to ashes
no water flows in a world where her fury has ripped the soil in half
Please hear our cries, forgive us oh goddess
Tears in your eyes, shame on us oh goddess
Fallen
The goddess of sun
Fallen
The mistress of light
Fallen by our souls,
which gave her no hope
Fallen by our eyes,
which gave her only lies
The goddess of the sun
We'll see thy will be done
We serve you, righteous one
Please hear our cries, forgive us oh goddess
Tears in your eyes, shame on us oh goddess
Fallen
The goddess of sun
Fallen
The mistress of light
Fallen by our souls,
which gave her no hope
Fallen by our eyes,
which gave her only lies