Amaterasu
From The Book of THoTH (Leaves of Wisdom)
Amaterasu(天照), Amaterasu-ō-mi-kami (天照大神 or 天照大御神) or Ōhiru-menomuchi-no-kami (大日孁貴神) is, in the context of the Shinto religion, a sun goddess. She was born from the Left eye of Izanagi as he purified himself in a river, and went on to become the ruler of the Higher Celestial plane (Takamagahara) and was also considered to be directly linked in lineage to the Imperial Household of Japan and the Emperor, who were considered Descendants of the Kami themselves.
Contents |
History
Story of Amaterasu
Amaterasu is described in the Kojiki as the Sun Goddess which was born from Izanagi, who was also accompanied by her sibling, Susanoo, the storm deity. In the Kojiki, Amaterasu is described as the God from which all light eminates, and is also often referred to as the sun goddess because of her warmth and compassion for the people who worshipped her; an intepretation of "light" or "heat" as passion, or purity. This is thought of as a likely interpretation, as upon seeing the actions of her brother, susanoo, she fled to the cave, Ama-no-Iwato in embarrassment, obscuring the light she emanated and plunging the world into darkness.
Despite the fact that several interpretations list Amaterasu to have acted in embarrassment, it is listed in several places to have been triggered due to fear of reprisals from her brother. According to one interpretation[1] Amaterasu, when visited by her brother, was fearful because of her brother's use of power; using lightning and storms to manipulate the earth so as to allow him easier passage to meet her on the Plane of high heaven, which subsequently caused all living beings to go into hiding.
Upon seeing the use of Susanoo's power, Amaterasu took precautions and readied a bow and quiver at her side. Despite the fact that this may be seen as a somewhat rash decision, prior to meeting Amaterasu, Susanoo was persistent in meeting his late mother in the underworld. However, it is detailed that Susanoo was in fear of becoming lost, as he had learnt of the disturbing nature of the underworld, and so it is possible that Amaterasu feared Susanoo had visited the underworld, and returned somewhat jaded or changed.
The other gods begged her to come out, to no avail. Then the goddess Ama-no-Uzume had an idea. She hung a mirror on a nearby tree, organized a celebration and performed an erotic dance before the cave. It made the other gods laugh so loud that Amaterasu became curious and peeked out. She saw her own reflection in the mirror, which startled her so much that the other gods were able to pull her out and convince her to return to the sky.
Later she sent her grandson Ninigi-no-Mikoto to pacify Japan: his great-grandson became the first emperor Emperor Jimmu. With him he had a sacred sword (Kusanagi), jewel and mirror that became the Japanese imperial regalia.
Although usually known and depicted as female, the Kojiki gives little clue about Amaterasu's sex. (Early Japanese language does not use gender-specific pronouns.) Some scholars have interpreted Amaterasu as male.
Amaterasu is also credited with inventing the cultivation of rice and wheat, the use of silkworms, and weaving with a loom. Her most important shrine, the Grand Shrine of Ise, is located in Ise, Japan on the island of Honshu. The shrine is torn down and rebuilt every twenty years. In that shrine she is represented as a mirror, one of the three Japanese imperial regalia.
She is celebrated every July 17 with street processions all over the country. Festivities on December 21 (also the birthday of the current emperor), the winter solstice, celebrate her coming out of the cave.
Until the end of World War II, the Japanese royal family claimed descent from Amaterasu, and the emperor was officially considered divine.
Appearances in popular culture
- In the game Ōkami, the main character is named after her.
- A character in Tad Williams' Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series is named Amerasu after her.
- Amaterasu (played by Kira Clavell) features as a character in the Stargate SG-1 television series.
See also
- Japanese mythology
- Japanese nationalism
--Angel 15:48, 31 May 2006 (CDT)
