Amaterasu - Sun Goddess of Japan
Amaterasu is perhaps the most important deity in the Shinto religion of Japan. Shinto, “the way of the gods,” is a set of beliefs that has remained mostly unchanged over the past millennium. These beliefs and practices are deeply rooted in Japan’s culture. The Shinto Gods, or Kami, are the focus and represent different things or concepts in everyday life, such as mountains, trees, rivers, wind, ancestors, fertility and so on. With that said Amaterasu is the Sun Kami of the Shinto religion. The meaning of her name translates into “(that which) Illuminates Heaven”, and she has several variations concerning her origin.
According to The Nihon Shoki, or Nihongi, there are two origin stories for Amaterasu. The first one says that the two creator deities, Izanagi no Mikoto (“The Male Who Invites”) and Izanami no Mikoto (“The Female Who Invites”), descended from heaven and created Japan together. They then created the High Kami that would rule over everything they had created. Amaterasu Omikami was the first High Kami to be created. When she came into being her radiance shone across the six directions which are the North, South, East, West, Above and Below. She was given dominion over all that she could survey. The second High Kami was her consort Tsukiyomi no Mikoto, the Moon Kami. The third child was a misshapen form that regretfully was sent down the river and given no dominion. The fourth child was Susano-O no Mikoto, the Storm Kami. He was given rule over the Yomi, or Underworld.
The second story of the Nihongi states that Izanagi created the siblings himself. To create Amaterasu he used a white-copper mirror and put it in his left hand. She then sprang from the mirror and came into being. He then switched hands and thus came Tsukiyomi. After Tsukiyomi emerged Izanagi turned his head and looked askance. This action brought Susano-O into being.
According to the Kojiki or Furukotofumi she is brought forth in a more somber way. The story goes that Izanagi and Izanami were producing Japan and the natural universe when suddenly Izanami gave birth to Kagu – Tsuchi (“Fire Child”). The birthing of this child caused Izanami’s womb to be badly singed. The wound caused Izanami to become sick and she passed away. Izanagi, distraught at the loss of his beloved, traveled to Yomi (the Underworld) to bring Izanami back. When Izanagi found her she was rotting and infested with maggots. Izanagi fled to the upper world, barely escaping with his life. After the encounter he felt unclean and decided to purify himself. While he was purifying himself with a bath the High Kami came into being. Amaterasu emerged after he washed his left eye, Tsukiyomi emerged after he washed his right eye and Susano-O emerged after he washed his nose.
Like I said before the Shinto religion is deeply rooted in Japanese culture. So much so that the Japanese Imperial line is said to go all the way back to one of Amaterasu’s children, Oshi – ho – Mimi – no Mikoto (Truly – I – Conquer – Swiftness – Heaven – of – Great – August – Person). This claim lasted until they were made to recant their claim in the terms of surrender at the end of World War II.
She is still widely worshipped to this day at her shrine in Western Honshu named the Grand Shrine of Ise. Her followers settled there around the fourth century C.E., during the reign of Emperor Suinin. According to tradition the inner shrine has been rebuilt every 20 years since the 690’s to maintain its purity. Amaterasu is represented as a mirror, which is one of the Japanese imperial regalia. Visitors are allowed to worship outside the southern gate. The only people who may enter the inner shrine are the priests and the imperial family. Amaterasu is celebrated all over Japan every July 17th.
With respect to Amaterasu I will be singing a song to her on the 17th in a small ritual dedicated to her. The song is entitled The Sky and the Dawn and the Sun by Celtic Woman. Those who wish to do the same create your own little ceremony and share if you would like!
