Amaterasu

The Myths of Shintoism

The myths often centered around key deities like Amaterasu, the sun goddess, who was believed to be the ancestor of the imperial family.

Amaterasu – the sun goddess, born from washing his left eye.

One of the well-known myths involves Amaterasu hiding in the Amano-Iwato (heavenly rock cave) after a confrontation with her brother Susanoo, who caused great disorder.

This plunged the world into darkness, as Amaterasu's light was absent.

Curious about the noise, Amaterasu peeked out, and the mirror showed her own reflection.

Susanoo saved a young maiden named Kushinada-hime by defeating the Orochi, and in doing so, he found the legendary sword Kusanagi, which he later gifted to Amaterasu.

Amaterasu sent her grandson Ninigi-no-Mikoto to earth to rule Japan, giving him the three sacred treasures (mirror, sword, and jewel) to signify his divine authority.

The imperial family is therefore said to be direct descendants of Amaterasu, which established the divine right of Japanese emperors and connected them with the kami.

Japanese

Creation myths of Shintoism

Amaterasu: The sun goddess, born from his left eye.

The sun Sol

Amaterasu: In Japanese mythology, Amaterasu is the sun goddess and the central deity of the Shinto religion.