The primary Japanese sun goddess is Amaterasu Ōmikami, the ruler of the High Plain of Heaven in Shinto mythology. While she is the central solar deity, other figures like the male god Hinokagutsuchi (often misread as a sun god) and the later imperial sun-line figure Ninigi also appear in the sun’s mythological orbit.
Who Is Amaterasu?
Amaterasu (天照) is the goddess of the sun and the universe in the Kojiki (712 CE) and the Nihon Shoki (720 CE), Japan’s two oldest chronicles. Her full name, Amaterasu Ōmikami, means “Great Goddess Who Shines in Heaven.” She is the eldest daughter of the primordial creator pair Izanagi and Izanami, though the exact birth story differs between the two texts. In the Kojiki, she is born from Izanagi’s left eye as he purified himself after returning from the underworld. The Nihon Shoki offers several variants, including birth from a white copper mirror or from Izanagi’s hand.
Amaterasu is the ancestor of the Japanese imperial family, making her both a celestial deity and a political foundation myth. Her great-grandson Ninigi descended to Earth to rule Japan, and the first emperor, Emperor Jimmu, is said to be Ninigi’s great-grandson. This lineage is central to Shinto’s understanding of the emperor as a living deity.
Amaterasu’s Role and Symbols
Amaterasu is the goddess of the sun, light, and agriculture, but she is also a weaver and a keeper of sacred order. Her most famous myth involves her retreat into a cave, plunging the world into darkness. The other gods lured her out with a mirror and jewels, and she was so captivated by her own reflection that she emerged, restoring light to the world. This story is told in both the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki with slight variations.
Her primary symbols are:
- The mirror – the sacred mirror used to lure her out, now enshrined at Ise Grand Shrine.
- The jewel – the magatama beads, representing fertility and life.
- The sword – later associated with her brother Susanoo, but part of the imperial regalia.
These three items form the Imperial Regalia of Japan, and the mirror is kept at the Ise Grand Shrine in Mie Prefecture, the most sacred Shinto site. Amaterasu is also closely associated with rice cultivation, and her shrines often include rice fields.
Other Sun-Related Deities
While Amaterasu is the dominant sun goddess, other figures are sometimes called sun gods, often incorrectly.
- Hinokagutsuchi – the fire god, born from Izanami’s genitals when she gave birth to fire, which burned her to death. He is not a sun god, but his name is sometimes confused because “hi” means both “sun” and “fire” in Japanese.
- Ninigi – Amaterasu’s grandson, sent to Earth with the imperial regalia. He is a sky god, not a sun god, but he is the direct ancestor of the emperors.
- Ōhirume – a lesser-known sun goddess mentioned in the Nihon Shoki as another name for Amaterasu or a separate deity, depending on the passage.
- Tsukuyomi – the moon god, Amaterasu’s brother. He is not a sun god, but he is part of the same celestial triad.
In some regional traditions, especially in Okinawa, the sun goddess Te’eda is worshipped, but she is distinct from Amaterasu and belongs to the Ryukyuan religion.
Amaterasu in Shinto Practice
Amaterasu is not just a myth; she is actively worshipped today. The Ise Grand Shrine (Ise Jingū) is her principal shrine, and it is rebuilt every 20 years in a ceremony called Shikinen Sengū, a tradition that has continued for over 1,300 years. The shrine is so sacred that the public is not allowed to see the inner sanctum where the mirror is kept.
Daily worship at home often includes a small shrine (kamidana) with a mirror or a scroll representing Amaterasu. Many Japanese people pray to her for good harvest, health, and national prosperity. She is also celebrated during the Daijōsai (the Great Thanksgiving Festival) when a new emperor takes the throne, as the emperor is believed to communicate with Amaterasu directly.
Amaterasu and the Imperial Family
The connection between Amaterasu and the imperial line is not just mythological; it is enshrined in law and ritual. The Kojiki and Nihon Shoki were compiled to legitimize the imperial dynasty, and the imperial regalia (mirror, jewel, sword) are physical symbols of that mandate. The emperor is considered the arahitogami (a living god) in Shinto, though this was officially renounced by Emperor Hirohito in 1946 after World War II. Today, the emperor’s role is ceremonial, but the myth remains a cultural cornerstone.
Common Misconceptions
One frequent mistake is calling Amaterasu a “sun god” rather than a “sun goddess.” While she is female, the English term “god” is often used generically. Another misconception is that Amaterasu is the only sun deity in Japan. In reality, there are local sun deities, and even the Buddhist figure Dainichi Nyorai (the Cosmic Buddha) is sometimes syncretized with Amaterasu in the honji suijaku system, which identifies Shinto kami as manifestations of Buddhist deities.
Also, people sometimes confuse Amaterasu with the fire god Hinokagutsuchi because of the shared “hi” prefix. In Japanese, “hi” can mean “sun” or “fire,” but the two deities are entirely separate in mythology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amaterasu the most important Japanese god?
Yes, in Shinto, Amaterasu is the highest deity in the heavenly pantheon and the ancestor of the imperial line. However, the indigenous Ainu religion and folk traditions have their own sun deities, and in Buddhism, Amaterasu is sometimes considered a manifestation of Dainichi Nyorai.
Why did Amaterasu hide in a cave?
According to the Kojiki, her brother Susanoo, the storm god, went on a rampage, destroying her rice fields and defecating in her palace. In grief and anger, she hid in a cave, causing the world to fall into darkness. The other gods lured her out with a mirror and jewels.
Where is Amaterasu worshipped?
Her main shrine is the Ise Grand Shrine in Mie Prefecture, Japan. There are also thousands of smaller shrines dedicated to her across the country, often called Amaterasu Jinja or Kōtai Jingū. Many homes also have a kamidana for her.
What is the difference between Amaterasu and the sun god in other cultures?
Unlike Greek or Egyptian sun gods, Amaterasu is not just a celestial body; she is a political ancestor and a source of imperial legitimacy. She is also unique in being a female sun deity, which is rare in world mythologies.
Did Amaterasu have children?
Yes, she had several children, including Ame no Oshihomimi (Heavenly August Ear) and Amatsuhikone, but the most important is her grandson Ninigi, who became the ancestor of the imperial family.
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