Amaterasu Omikami, the Shinto sun goddess, is the daughter of Izanagi and Izanami, the divine couple who created the Japanese islands, and the elder sister of Tsukuyomi (the moon god) and Susanoo (the storm god). Her family tree extends through her brother Susanoo, whose descendants include Okuninushi, and through her own grandson Ninigi, who became the ancestor of Japan’s imperial line.
Origins: The Birth of Amaterasu
According to the Kojiki (712 CE) and the Nihon Shoki (720 CE), the earliest surviving Japanese chronicles, Amaterasu was born from the left eye of Izanagi. After Izanagi returned from the underworld (Yomi) and purified himself in a river, he performed a ritual cleansing. As he washed his left eye, Amaterasu emerged; from his right eye came Tsukuyomi, and from his nose came Susanoo. Izanagi then divided the world among his three children: Amaterasu received the High Plain of Heaven (Takamagahara), Tsukuyomi received the night, and Susanoo received the seas.
This birth story differs slightly in the Nihon Shoki, where Amaterasu is sometimes described as being born from a bronze mirror that Izanagi held, but the eye-birth version is the most widely known. The key point is that Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and Susanoo are siblings, born from the same father but from different parts of his body.
Amaterasu’s Siblings and Their Roles
- Tsukuyomi (Tsukiyomi) – The moon god, born from Izanagi’s right eye. He is often described as Amaterasu’s younger brother, though some texts list him as older. Tsukuyomi is said to have killed the food goddess Ukemochi, which caused Amaterasu to separate from him, leading to the division of day and night.
- Susanoo – The storm god, born from Izanagi’s nose. He is the most prominent sibling in the myths, known for his violent behavior. After a series of destructive acts in Takamagahara, including flaying a horse and throwing it into Amaterasu’s weaving hall, Amaterasu hid in a cave, plunging the world into darkness.
Amaterasu’s Marriage and Children
Amaterasu is not typically depicted as married in a formal sense. In the Kojiki, she is said to have had a relationship with her brother Susanoo, during which she produced several children. When Susanoo came to Takamagahara, Amaterasu chewed his sword and blew the fragments, creating three goddesses (the Munakata goddesses). Susanoo then chewed Amaterasu’s jewels and blew them, creating five male gods. These eight deities are considered Amaterasu’s children, although the circumstances are unusual and reflect the sibling rivalry and reconciliation themes in the myths.
Among these children, the most important is Ame no Oshihomimi, one of the five male gods born from Susanoo’s breath. He later became the father of Ninigi, whom Amaterasu sent to rule the earth.
Descendants: The Imperial Line
Amaterasu’s grandson, Ninigi no Mikoto, was sent down from Takamagahara to the Japanese islands, an event known as the Tenson Korin (the descent of the heavenly grandson). Ninigi married Konohanasakuya-hime, a mountain goddess, and their descendants eventually became the first emperors of Japan. The first legendary emperor, Emperor Jimmu, is said to be a direct descendant of Ninigi, making Amaterasu the divine ancestor of the Japanese imperial family.
This lineage is central to Shinto and Japanese national identity. The imperial regalia—the mirror, sword, and jewel—are said to be the very items used to lure Amaterasu from her cave and are kept at the Grand Shrine of Ise, dedicated to her.
Amaterasu’s Role in the Cave Myth
One of the most famous episodes in Amaterasu’s mythology is her retreat into the Ame no Iwato (Heavenly Rock Cave). After Susanoo’s destructive rampage, Amaterasu hid in the cave, causing the sun to disappear and the world to fall into darkness. The other gods devised a plan to lure her out: they gathered at the cave’s entrance, placed a mirror and jewels on a sacred tree, and had the goddess Ame no Uzume perform a lewd dance. Curious at the laughter, Amaterasu peeked out, saw her reflection in the mirror, and was pulled out by the god Tajikarao. This myth explains the alternation of day and night and the origin of the mirror as a sacred object.
Amaterasu in Different Traditions
While the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki are the primary sources, Amaterasu’s worship varies across Japan. At the Grand Shrine of Ise, she is enshrined as the supreme deity, and the shrine is rebuilt every 20 years. In some local traditions, she is associated with the sun and agriculture, and her shrines are often located on mountains or near water. The imperial family’s connection to her is emphasized in the Kojiki, which was compiled to legitimize the ruling dynasty.
It is important to note that Amaterasu is not a fictional character but a central figure in Shinto, a living religion. Descriptions of her are based on mythological texts, and interpretations vary among scholars and practitioners.
Common Misconceptions
A frequent misconception is that Amaterasu is the
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