Amaterasu is the Japanese sun goddess and supreme deity of the Shinto faith. Through Her descendent Ninigi, who married Konohana, or Sengen, She is the ancestress of the Imperial family. Her name means "Great Shining Goddess of Heaven", and She is the daughter of Izanami and Izanagi, the divine couple who created the lands. Her double shrine at Ise is rebuilt every twenty years, using one of the two identical buildings as a model. Thus the form of Her temple has remained consistent for two thousand years.
Like other solar deities such as Apollo, Amaterasu is an archer, Her quiver holding one thousand arrows. She is also a weaver who makes the garments of the gods.
Amaterasu's impetuous, loud, and altogether boorish younger brother Susano-o made it a habit to undo all Her good deeds, and in frustration and fear, She shut herself inside a cave and refused to come out. The other Gods could not bear to be without Her light, and finally enticed Her out by holding a raucous party outside the cave entrance, the highlight of which was the goddess Uzume performing a divine striptease. Her curiosity piqued by the Gods' roaring laughter, Amaterasu looked out and saw Her own reflection in an octagonal mirror placed there. Fascinated by Her own nearly forgotten beauty, She came out of the cave a little, which was shut fast behind Her.
Amaterasu is associated with royal power, and returning life and joy after dark times, as the sun becomes stronger and warmer after winter.
Alternate names: Ama-terasu-o-mi-kami
FROM: Amaterasu
*************************************************************The Japanese Shinto sun goddess, ruler of the Plain of Heaven, whose name means 'shining heaven' or 'she who shines in the heavens'. She is the central figure in the Shinto pantheon and the Japanese Imperial family claims descent from her 1. She is the eldest daughter of Izanagi. She was so bright and radiant that her parents sent her up the Celestial Ladder to heaven, where she has ruled ever since.
When her brother, the storm-god Susanowa, ravaged the earth she retreated to a cave because he was so noisy. She closed the cave with a large boulder. Her disappearance deprived the world of light and life. Demons ruled the earth. The other gods used everything in their power to lure her out, but to no avail. Finally it was Uzume who succeeded. The laughter of the gods when they watched her comical and obscene dances aroused Amaterasu's curiosity. When she emerged from her cave a streak of light escaped (a streak nowadays people call dawn). The goddess then saw her own brilliant reflection in a mirror which Uzume had hung in a nearby tree. When she drew closer for a better look, the gods grabbed her and pulled her out of the cave. She returned to the sky, and brought light back into the world.
Later, she created rice fields, called inada, where she cultivated rice. She also invented the art of weaving with the loom and taught the people how to cultivate wheat and silkworms. Amaterasu's main sanctuary is Ise-Jingue situated on Ise, on the island of Honshu. This temple is pulled down every twenty years and then rebuild in its original form. In the inner sanctum she is represented by a mirror (her body). She is also called Omikami ("illustrious goddess") and Tensho Daijan (in Sino-Japanese pronunciation).
1. She was called the 'illustrious ancestress of the Emperor' prior to 1945. At that time, the Japanese Emperor disclaimed any form of divine ancestry and polytheistic ancestor worship was no longer permitted.
FROM: Amaterasu (c)Micha F. Lindemans
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SYMBOLS
1. Shinto Shrine at Ise - Contains the octagonal mirror believed to contain Amaterasu's image. The shrine is a quiet study in rhythmic form and is totally rebuilt to exact specifications every 20 years since the 3rd century. Its simplicity represents purity and dignity.
2. Waves - Amaterasu was born of water.
3. Sun and rays - The emblem of Japan and Amaterasu.
4. Carp - Love, courage, endurance, dignity, good fortune, resignation to Fate.
5. Cherry tree - Prosperity and the flower emblem of Japan.
6. Stones and rocks - Sacred objects of Shintoism.
7. Pillar (tree) - Represents the presence of deity.
8. "Three Treasures" (Mirror, sword, jewel) - The Imperial families monopolized Amaterasu's cult until Medieval times and claimed these treasures.
9. Beads in circle - Continuity, endless duration.
10. Jewel - Hidden treasures of knowledge, truth, compassion, wisdom. 11. Sword - Courage, strength.
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Amaterasu was the Sun goddess according to the oldest Japanese religion called Shinto. Shinto means "the way of the gods." Amaterasu was born from the left eye of the primeval being Izanagi. When her brother Susanowo treated her badly, she hid in the cave of heaven, closing the entrance with an enormous stone.
Thus, darkness surrounded the world, and evil spirits left their hiding places, causing destruction and grief everywhere. In despair, a conference of the gods decided to induce Amaterasu to come out of the cave by arousing her curiosity. The gods organized a cheerful party.
They put a big mirror in front of the cave and beautiful jewels on a tree. Uzume, the goddess of laughter, began an exotic dance accompanied by loud music. Hearing the music and the laughter, Amaterasu could not restrain her curiosity and gave a prudent look outside to see what was going on. As soon as she saw what was there, she was so fascinated by her own brilliant reflection in the mirror that she came out of the cave. Finally, the light covered and colored the world. The image above is a depiction of the goddess Amaterasu.
FROM: Amaterasu
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Amaterasu
(C)from Goddesses and Heroines
Exerpt from Goddess & Heroines by Patricia Monaghan
Of all the religions currently practiced by significant numbers of people, the only one whose chief divinity is female is Japanese Shinto, based on the worship of the sun goddess Amaterasu ("great shining heaven").
In her simple shrines-notable for their architectural purity and unpretentiousness and for the central mirror that represents the goddess-Amaterasu is honored as the ruler of all deities, as the guardian of Japan's people, and as the symbol of Japanese cultural unity. Her emblem, the rising sun, still flies on Japan's flag. Even the inroads of patriarchal Buddhism have not destroyed the worship of the bejeweled ancestor of all humanity.
There is one central myth of Amaterasu. She quarreled with the storm god Susano-o and brought winter to the world. Two reasons are given for her annoyance with him: one, because of his murder of Amaterasu's sister, the food-giving goddess Uke-Mochi; the other, because of his deliberately provocative acts against Amaterasu herself.
The latter version has it that Amaterasu did not trust her brother Susano-o because of his excesses and his constant shouting. One day he came to heaven to see her, claiming that he meant no harm. She was wary, but he promised that he would undergo a ritual test to prove his goodwill. He said he would give birth, and that if his intentions were peaceful, the children would all be boys.
Amaterasu grabbed Susano-o's sword and broke it with her teeth, spitting out three pieces which, striking the ground, became goddesses. Susano-o asked Amaterasu for some of her jewels: she gave him five; he cracked them open and made them into gods. But then Susano-o grew wild with excitement at his creative feat and tore through the world destroying everything in his path: he even piled feces under Amaterasu's throne. As though that were not enough, he stole into her quarters and threw a flayed horse's corpse through the roof of her weaving room, so startling one of Amaterasu's companions that she pricked herself and died.
This was too much for the sun goddess. She left this mad world and shut herself up in a comfortable cave. Without the sun, the entire world was blanketed with unending blackness. The eight million gods and goddesses, desperate for their queen's light, gathered to call out pleas that she return. But in her cave the goddess stayed.
The shaman Uzume, goddess of merriment, finally took matters into her hands. She turned over a washtub, climbed on top, and began dancing and singing and screaming bawdy remarks. Soon the dance became a striptease. When she had shed all her clothes, Uzume began dancing so wildly and obscenely that the eight million gods and goddesses started to shout with delight.
Inside her cave, Amaterasu heard the noise. As it grew to a commotion, she called to ask what was going on. Someone paused to answer that they had found a better goddess than the sun. Provoked-and curious-Amaterasu opened the door of her cave just a crack.
The gods and goddesses had, with great foresight, installed a mirror directly outside of the cave. Amaterasu, who had never seen her own beauty before, was dazzled. While she stood there dazed, the other divinities grabbed the door and pulled it open. Thus the sun returned to warm the winter-weary earth. Mounted again on her heavenly throne, Amaterasu punished Susano-o by having his fingernails and toenails pulled out and by throwing him out of her heaven.
FROM: Amaterasu by Hrana Janto (pretty painting there too)
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Then the Sun Goddess Amaterasu imparted unto the first emperor the myriad Magatama beads and the mirror which had been used to lure her out of the cave as well as the sword Kusa-nagi... and said, "This mirror--have it with you as my spirit, and worship it just as you would worship in my very presence."
Shinto. Kojiki 39.2-3
*************************************************************Amatersu - Japan
(a - MAT’- era- SU’)
At dawn, Amaterasu rises and shines Her beautiful face on us.
Slowly She begins Her dance of power across the sky, spreading Her divine brightness.
Spinning and weaving are Her inventions,
The Perfect Mirror is Her face.
Staring into it, we are reminded to expose ourselves to Her rays.
Let Her light blind us to our imperfections and shine on our true origins.
"Though I am Woman, why should I shrink?"
FROM: Sun Goddesses
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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 is located in Ise, Japan on the island of Honshu. The temple is torn down and rebuilt every twenty years. In that temple she is represented as a mirror. She is celebrated every July 17 with street processions all over the country. Festivities on December 21, the winter solstice, celebrate her coming out of the cave.
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Other links:Book: O Mother Sun! A New View of the Cosmic Feminine (Interesting book with a nice section about Amaterasu)
- AMATERASU OMIKAMI (the Sun Goddess)
- Amaterasu: Out of the Cave and Into the Light explains the myth and tells the story
- JAPANESE MYTH THE SUN BEHIND THE ROCK
- Shinto Creation Stories: The Conflict between Ama-terasu and Sosa no wo
- My Goddess Images -- an article about her
- Shinto - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For more links to Shinto: Religion > Shinto
Threads of MW:
Showing posts with label Shinto. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shinto. Show all posts
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Amaterasu
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Susanoo
In Japanese mythology, Susanoo, the powerful storm of Summer, is the brother of Amaterasu, the goddess of the sun, and of Tsukuyomi, the god of the moon. All three were spawned from Izanagi, when he washed his face clean of the pollutants of Yomi, the underworld. Amaterasu was born when Izanagi washed out his left eye, Tsukuyomi was born from the washing of the right eye, and Susanoo from the washing of the nose.
The oldest sources for Susanoo myths are the ca. 680 AD Kojiki and ca. 720 AD Nihon Shoki. They tell of a long-standing rivalry between Susanoo and his sister. When he was to leave Heaven by orders of Izanagi, he went to bid his sister goodbye. Amaterasu was suspicious, but when Susanoo proposed a challenge to prove his sincerity, she accepted. Each of them took an object of the other's and from it birthed gods and goddesses. Amaterasu birthed three women from Susanoo's sword while he birthed five men from her necklace. Claiming the gods were hers because they were born of her necklace, and the goddesses were his, he decided that he has won the challenge, as his item produced women. The two were content for a time, but Susanoo, the Storm God, became restless and went on a rampage destroying his sister's rice fields, hurled a flayed pony at her loom, and killed one of her attendants in a fit of rage. Amaterasu, who was in fury and grief, hid inside the Ama-no-Iwato ("heavenly rock cave"), thus effectively hiding the sun for a long period of time.
Though she was persuaded to leave the cave, Susanoo was punished by being banished from Heaven. He descended to the province of Izumo, where he met an elderly couple who told him that seven of their eight daughters had been devoured by the eight-headed serpent Yamata no Orochi and it was nearing time for their eighth, Kushinada-hime (櫛名田比売?). The Nihon Shoki gives the most detailed account of Susanoo slaying the Yamata no Orochi. Compare the Kojiki version where Chamberlain (1919:71-3) translates Susanoo as "His-Swift-Impetuous-Male-Augustness."
From: Wiki
The oldest sources for Susanoo myths are the ca. 680 AD Kojiki and ca. 720 AD Nihon Shoki. They tell of a long-standing rivalry between Susanoo and his sister. When he was to leave Heaven by orders of Izanagi, he went to bid his sister goodbye. Amaterasu was suspicious, but when Susanoo proposed a challenge to prove his sincerity, she accepted. Each of them took an object of the other's and from it birthed gods and goddesses. Amaterasu birthed three women from Susanoo's sword while he birthed five men from her necklace. Claiming the gods were hers because they were born of her necklace, and the goddesses were his, he decided that he has won the challenge, as his item produced women. The two were content for a time, but Susanoo, the Storm God, became restless and went on a rampage destroying his sister's rice fields, hurled a flayed pony at her loom, and killed one of her attendants in a fit of rage. Amaterasu, who was in fury and grief, hid inside the Ama-no-Iwato ("heavenly rock cave"), thus effectively hiding the sun for a long period of time.
Though she was persuaded to leave the cave, Susanoo was punished by being banished from Heaven. He descended to the province of Izumo, where he met an elderly couple who told him that seven of their eight daughters had been devoured by the eight-headed serpent Yamata no Orochi and it was nearing time for their eighth, Kushinada-hime (櫛名田比売?). The Nihon Shoki gives the most detailed account of Susanoo slaying the Yamata no Orochi. Compare the Kojiki version where Chamberlain (1919:71-3) translates Susanoo as "His-Swift-Impetuous-Male-Augustness."
Then [His-Swift-Impetuous-Male-Augustness] descended from Heaven and proceeded to the head-waters of the River Hi, in the province of Izumo. At this time he heard a sound of weeping at the head-waters of the river, and he went in search of the sound. He found there an old man and an old woman. Between them was set a young girl, whom they were caressing and lamenting over. Sosa no wo no Mikoto asked them, saying: "Who are ye and why do ye grieve lament thus?" The answer was: "I am an Earthly Deity, and my name is Ashi-nadzuchi. My wife's name is Te-nadzuchi. This girl is our daughter, and her name is Kushinada-hime. The reason of our weeping is that formerly we had eight children, daughters. But they have been devoured year after year by an eight-forked serpent and now the time approaches for this girl to be devoured. There is no means of escape for her, and therefore do we grieve.” His-Swift-Impetuous-Male-Augustness said: "If that is so, wilt thou give me thy daughter?" He replied, and said: "I will comply with thy behest and give her to thee." Therefore His Swift-Impetuous-Male-Augustness on the spot changed Kushinada-hime into a many-toothed close-comb which he stuck in the august knot of his hair. Then he made Ashi-nadzuchi and Te-nadzuchi to brew eight-fold sake, to make eight cupboards, in each of them to set a tub filled with sake, and so to await the arrival its coming. When the time came, the serpent actually appeared. It had an eight-forked head and an eight-forked tail; its eyes were red, like the winter-cherry; and on its back firs and cypresses were growing. As it crawled it extended over a space of eight hills and eight valleys. Now when it came and found the sake, each head drank up one tub, and it became drunk and fell asleep. Then Sosa no wo no Mikoto drew the ten-span sword which he wore and chopped the serpent into small pieces. When he came to the tail, the edge of his sword was slightly notched, and he therefore split open the tail and examined it. In the inside there was a sword. This is the sword which is called Kusa-nagi no tsurugi. (tr. Aston 1896:1:52-53)
This sword from the dragon's tail, the Ama-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi ("Sword of the Gathering Clouds of Heaven") or the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi ("Grasscutter Sword"), was presented by Susanoo to Amaterasu as a reconciliation gift. According to legends, she bequeathed it to her descendant Ninigi along with the Yata no Kagami mirror and Yasakani no Magatama jewel or orb. This sacred sword, mirror and jewel collectively became the three Imperial Regalia of Japan.From: Wiki
According to the ancient religion of Shinto, Susano-O no Mikoto, the Brave-Swift-Impetuous-Male, is the god of the storms and of the sea. He is a Kami with a highly volatile temper, who is very often impulsive, but yet he also has a kind and generous side.
In the religion of Shinto, Kami may have multifaceted personalities. Susano-O is a prime example. The Kami's four spirits or "tama" cause him to behave in many different ways.
Susano-O's Ara-mi-tama (Rough Spirit) is very evident in the story of his birth and in his dealings with his sister, Amaterasu Omikami. Both Susano-O and Amaterasu are the offspring of the creators of the earth, Izanagi and Izanami.
Susano-O came into being as Izanagi, the Male Who Invites, was purifying himself by cleansing away the impurities that he had acquired in the process of attempting to reclaim Izanami, the Female Who Invites, from the underworld. Susano-O was born as his father was washing his August nose.
As soon as Susano-O came into existence, he immediately began wailing and lamenting for his mother. This wailing and lamenting already expressed the Kami's stormy character. His father tried to calm him, but his wails eventually became too much for everyone around to bear, so he was banished to the netherworld.
Susano-O decided that before he left on his journey to the underworld, he wanted to wish his sister Amaterasu farewell. However, his coming shook the ground and made so much noise that Amaterasu thought that danger was coming to her and she began preparing for it. When she saw that it was her brother that had caused all the commotion, she asked him for a sign of friendship, since she did not really believe that he was coming to see her in peace. After discussing the matter with each other, they decided to create more gods together in order to show their goodwill. Amaterasu chewed up her brother's sword, and spat out the pieces. From these pieces, three goddesses were created. Susano-O then chewed up the necklace which Amaterasu had been wearing, and created five gods. (Among the latter was Masa-ya-a-Katsu Kachi Hayabi-Ama no Oshi-ho-Mimi no Mikoto (Truly-I-Conquer-Swiftness-Heaven-of-Great-August-Person), who eventually became the father of Ninigi no Mikoto, the founder of the imperial line in Japan.)
It is said that at this point, Susano-O got so excited over his accomplishment that he lost all control. He completely destroyed all of the rice fields and irrigation ditches of heaven, and defiled one of Amaterasu's temples with his excrement. He then threw a flayed horse into a house belonging to Amaterasu where some women were weaving. (In one version of this story, one of the women was so distraught that she accidentally killed herself with her shuttle.) Amaterasu became very afraid when she saw all of her brother's reckless actions. She decided to hide herself in a cave and block it with a large rock. This action on her part plunged all of the heavens and the world into complete darkness, from which the other Kami only recovered by dint of clever stratagems and a measure of good luck.
Susano-O was punished for all of the mischief he had caused by having his hair cut off and his fingernails pulled. He was then immediately banished from heaven.
(snip)
Another tale that shows his caring nature involves repaying kindness that he received from a very poor man. In return for his kindness, Susano-O told him how to prevent his home from ever being plundered by the Plague God. The method was simple: The man was to hang a plaited straw rope across the entrance of his house. That is how the custom of preventing spreads of epidemics by hanging straw ropes (shimenawa) along roads came to be tradition.
Further evidence illustrating Susano-O's general good nature involves one of his sons, O-Kuni Nushi, and O-Kuni-Nushi's half-sister, Suseri-hime. O-Kuni-Nushi wanted to marry Suseri-hime. Susano-O said he would consent to this only if O-Kuni Nushi could show himself to be worthy. He needed to pass various ordeals in order to prove himself. His father first put him into a room full of snakes where he was to sleep that night. His sister, Suseri-hime had given him a magic scarf that kept him safe. He was then put through a similar ordeal with wasps and hornets. Suseri-hime gave him a scarf to protect himself in this instance also. He was then asked by his father to retrieve a certain object from a field. When he had gone quite a distance into the field, his father set it on fire. However, since O-Kuni-Nushi was a friend to the animals, a field mouse showed him an underground room where he could hide until the fire subsided.
After these numerous ordeals, he had finally won his father's trust. When his father fell asleep, O-Kuni-Nushi tied Susano-O's hair to the rafters in Susano-O's home. He then grabbed his father's sword, bow and arrows, and his koto (a type of stringed musical instrument). O-Kuni-Nushi fled with Suseri-hime. When Susano-O awoke, he was unable to chase them immediately because his hair was tied to the beams of his house. After much tugging and pulling, he tore the beams down and went after them. He was able to follow them because of the sounds issuing from his koto. When he came within earshot of the pair, instead of being angry, he was impressed by their cunning, and not only allowed the marriage, but permitted them to keep the treasures they had stolen. He also gave O-Kuni-Nushi the right to rule the province.
More from: Here
In the religion of Shinto, Kami may have multifaceted personalities. Susano-O is a prime example. The Kami's four spirits or "tama" cause him to behave in many different ways.
Susano-O's Ara-mi-tama (Rough Spirit) is very evident in the story of his birth and in his dealings with his sister, Amaterasu Omikami. Both Susano-O and Amaterasu are the offspring of the creators of the earth, Izanagi and Izanami.
Susano-O came into being as Izanagi, the Male Who Invites, was purifying himself by cleansing away the impurities that he had acquired in the process of attempting to reclaim Izanami, the Female Who Invites, from the underworld. Susano-O was born as his father was washing his August nose.
As soon as Susano-O came into existence, he immediately began wailing and lamenting for his mother. This wailing and lamenting already expressed the Kami's stormy character. His father tried to calm him, but his wails eventually became too much for everyone around to bear, so he was banished to the netherworld.
Susano-O decided that before he left on his journey to the underworld, he wanted to wish his sister Amaterasu farewell. However, his coming shook the ground and made so much noise that Amaterasu thought that danger was coming to her and she began preparing for it. When she saw that it was her brother that had caused all the commotion, she asked him for a sign of friendship, since she did not really believe that he was coming to see her in peace. After discussing the matter with each other, they decided to create more gods together in order to show their goodwill. Amaterasu chewed up her brother's sword, and spat out the pieces. From these pieces, three goddesses were created. Susano-O then chewed up the necklace which Amaterasu had been wearing, and created five gods. (Among the latter was Masa-ya-a-Katsu Kachi Hayabi-Ama no Oshi-ho-Mimi no Mikoto (Truly-I-Conquer-Swiftness-Heaven-of-Great-August-Person), who eventually became the father of Ninigi no Mikoto, the founder of the imperial line in Japan.)
It is said that at this point, Susano-O got so excited over his accomplishment that he lost all control. He completely destroyed all of the rice fields and irrigation ditches of heaven, and defiled one of Amaterasu's temples with his excrement. He then threw a flayed horse into a house belonging to Amaterasu where some women were weaving. (In one version of this story, one of the women was so distraught that she accidentally killed herself with her shuttle.) Amaterasu became very afraid when she saw all of her brother's reckless actions. She decided to hide herself in a cave and block it with a large rock. This action on her part plunged all of the heavens and the world into complete darkness, from which the other Kami only recovered by dint of clever stratagems and a measure of good luck.
Susano-O was punished for all of the mischief he had caused by having his hair cut off and his fingernails pulled. He was then immediately banished from heaven.
(snip)
Another tale that shows his caring nature involves repaying kindness that he received from a very poor man. In return for his kindness, Susano-O told him how to prevent his home from ever being plundered by the Plague God. The method was simple: The man was to hang a plaited straw rope across the entrance of his house. That is how the custom of preventing spreads of epidemics by hanging straw ropes (shimenawa) along roads came to be tradition.
Further evidence illustrating Susano-O's general good nature involves one of his sons, O-Kuni Nushi, and O-Kuni-Nushi's half-sister, Suseri-hime. O-Kuni-Nushi wanted to marry Suseri-hime. Susano-O said he would consent to this only if O-Kuni Nushi could show himself to be worthy. He needed to pass various ordeals in order to prove himself. His father first put him into a room full of snakes where he was to sleep that night. His sister, Suseri-hime had given him a magic scarf that kept him safe. He was then put through a similar ordeal with wasps and hornets. Suseri-hime gave him a scarf to protect himself in this instance also. He was then asked by his father to retrieve a certain object from a field. When he had gone quite a distance into the field, his father set it on fire. However, since O-Kuni-Nushi was a friend to the animals, a field mouse showed him an underground room where he could hide until the fire subsided.
After these numerous ordeals, he had finally won his father's trust. When his father fell asleep, O-Kuni-Nushi tied Susano-O's hair to the rafters in Susano-O's home. He then grabbed his father's sword, bow and arrows, and his koto (a type of stringed musical instrument). O-Kuni-Nushi fled with Suseri-hime. When Susano-O awoke, he was unable to chase them immediately because his hair was tied to the beams of his house. After much tugging and pulling, he tore the beams down and went after them. He was able to follow them because of the sounds issuing from his koto. When he came within earshot of the pair, instead of being angry, he was impressed by their cunning, and not only allowed the marriage, but permitted them to keep the treasures they had stolen. He also gave O-Kuni-Nushi the right to rule the province.
More from: Here
A kami introduced by (Kojiki) as having come into being from the nose of Izanagi no mikoto as he was performing ablutions (misogi) to rid himself of pollution encountered while in the underworld (Yomi). In Nihongi, however, Susanoo is described as being produced by Izanagi and Izanami as part of the process of their giving birth to various kami (kamiumi). Both accounts describe Susanoo as one of a set of three kami known as the "three noble children," the other being Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi. In contrast to Amaterasu (sun) and Tsukuyomi (moon), Susanoo has been associated with wind and rain, but many elements of his personality remain unclear.
Susanoo was ordered by Izanagi to have domain over the sea plain, but instead wished to visit his mother in the underworld (Ne no kuni), with the result that he was banished. He next visited his sister Amaterasu in the Plain of High Heaven (Takamanohara), but he was suspected of insurrection and underwent a trial by pledge (ukei). Declaring himself the winner in the trial, Susanoo ran amok and caused Amaterasu to hide herself away in the heavenly cave, for which offense Susanoo was again banished.
Descending to Izumo in the "Central Land of Reed Plains" (Ashihara no Nakatsukuni), Susanoo defeated the serpent Yamata no orochi, received the sword "Kusanagi" and was awarded the maiden Kushinadahime, thus settling in the Suga area of Izumo.
In addition, Kojiki includes an episode in which Susanoo slays the goddess of food Ōgetsuhime, thus bringing into being the edible grains, and another in which he becomes lord of the underworld and sets various trials before the visiting Ōkuninushi.
While Susanoo is depicted as a unique deity active both in Izumo and the Plain of High Heaven, his exploits in the Plain of High Heaven are without exception disruptive of order, while he is described in the Izumo episode as a kami bringing orderly rule to the area, as indicated by the description of his statements as mikotonori (imperial proclamations).
The Izumo no kuni fudoki does not relate the kind of myths recounted in Kojiki and Nihongi, but describes Susanoo merely as one of the many kami in existence. In an extant excerpt from the Bingo no kuni fudoki, Susanoo is associated with a kami of pestilence known as Mutō, and from the medieval period, Susanoo was frequently identified with the deity Gozu Tennō.
From: Encyclopedia of Shinto
Susanoo was ordered by Izanagi to have domain over the sea plain, but instead wished to visit his mother in the underworld (Ne no kuni), with the result that he was banished. He next visited his sister Amaterasu in the Plain of High Heaven (Takamanohara), but he was suspected of insurrection and underwent a trial by pledge (ukei). Declaring himself the winner in the trial, Susanoo ran amok and caused Amaterasu to hide herself away in the heavenly cave, for which offense Susanoo was again banished.
Descending to Izumo in the "Central Land of Reed Plains" (Ashihara no Nakatsukuni), Susanoo defeated the serpent Yamata no orochi, received the sword "Kusanagi" and was awarded the maiden Kushinadahime, thus settling in the Suga area of Izumo.
In addition, Kojiki includes an episode in which Susanoo slays the goddess of food Ōgetsuhime, thus bringing into being the edible grains, and another in which he becomes lord of the underworld and sets various trials before the visiting Ōkuninushi.
While Susanoo is depicted as a unique deity active both in Izumo and the Plain of High Heaven, his exploits in the Plain of High Heaven are without exception disruptive of order, while he is described in the Izumo episode as a kami bringing orderly rule to the area, as indicated by the description of his statements as mikotonori (imperial proclamations).
The Izumo no kuni fudoki does not relate the kind of myths recounted in Kojiki and Nihongi, but describes Susanoo merely as one of the many kami in existence. In an extant excerpt from the Bingo no kuni fudoki, Susanoo is associated with a kami of pestilence known as Mutō, and from the medieval period, Susanoo was frequently identified with the deity Gozu Tennō.
From: Encyclopedia of Shinto
The Japanese Shinto god of the winds, the storms, and the ocean, also the god of snakes. He was born from the nose of Izanagi, and was given dominion over the seas. His sister, the sun goddess Amaterasu, is also his consort. Susanowa (Susanoto) is the personification of evil, but also a brave, if lawless and impetuous, god. His outrages are not limited to the ocean; he also ravages the land with his storms and he darkens the sky, thus angering the 'eight million deities (the kami).
His little pesterings, especially against his sister, proved his undoing: he looses his beard, his fingernails, and all his possessions, and is banished. He wanders the earth and has many adventures, such as the slaying of the eight-headed snake Koshi and by defeating this monster he obtained a powerful sword, called Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi ("grass cutting sword"). Some other feats were conquering Korea and wiping out the plague. Okuni-Nushi, his son, eventually tricked him out of the sword.
From: Here
His little pesterings, especially against his sister, proved his undoing: he looses his beard, his fingernails, and all his possessions, and is banished. He wanders the earth and has many adventures, such as the slaying of the eight-headed snake Koshi and by defeating this monster he obtained a powerful sword, called Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi ("grass cutting sword"). Some other feats were conquering Korea and wiping out the plague. Okuni-Nushi, his son, eventually tricked him out of the sword.
From: Here
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Amaterasu {Goddess of the Week}
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Shinto Creation myth
The Kojiki --full text
PART II—GLEANINGS FROM ANCIENT STORIES
GodChecker
Amaterasu and Susanoo
Yamata no Orochi - serpent/dragon he slayed
Ama-no-Uzume
The Japanese Shinto goddess of joy and happiness, called the Daughter of Heaven and Heaven's Forthright Female. Her name means "whirling". She is also the goddess of good health, which people obtain from drinking the blessed water of her stream. When the sun goddess Amaterasu had hidden herself in a cave, thus covering the earth in darkness and infertility, it was Uzume who brought her back. With her provoking and curlew dances she managed to make the gods laugh so hard, that Amaterasu left the cave intrigued. Her emerging brought light and life back to earth. Her brother Ninigi married Uzume to the deity who guards the Floating Bridge to Heaven. The dances of Uzume (Ama-no-uzume) are found in folk rites, such as the one to wake the dead, the Kagura (dance-mime), and another one which symbolizes the planting of seeds.
From: Pantheon.org
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Related MW threads with more info on myths, etc:
Amaterasu {Goddess of the Week}
Susanoo {God of the Week}
From: Pantheon.org
Ame-no-Uzume is the Japanese Goddess of merrymaking and dance. She is the one who lured the sun Goddess Amaterasu to come out of her self-imposed exile in a cave, returning sunlight to the world. She overturned a washtub and began to dance on it, to the delight of the surrounding Gods and Goddesses. Their laughter at her antics made Amaterasu curious enough to step out of her cave. Ame-no-Uzume’s dances have been carried down to modern times as the kagura.
Ame-no-Uzume also accompanied Amaterasu’s grandson Ninigi to earth, where he was to become the first emperor of Japan. When he was about to descend, a large monster appeared in his path, so Ninigi sent the fearless Ame-no-Uzume ahead to investigate. She approached the monster with bare breasts and a mocking laugh, asking who he was to stand in Ninigi’s way. He turned out to be Saruta-Hiko, God of the crossroads, and he was only there to welcome Ninigi. Ame-no-Uzume eventually married Saruta-Hiko.
Ame-no-Uzume’s name means “whirling heavenly woman” and is also seen as Uzume, Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto, and Ame-no-Uzume-no-Kami. Epithets for her include The Great Persuader, Terrible Female of Heaven, Daughter of Heaven, Heaven’s Forthright Female, and The Heavenly Alarming Female.
From: here
Ame-no-Uzume also accompanied Amaterasu’s grandson Ninigi to earth, where he was to become the first emperor of Japan. When he was about to descend, a large monster appeared in his path, so Ninigi sent the fearless Ame-no-Uzume ahead to investigate. She approached the monster with bare breasts and a mocking laugh, asking who he was to stand in Ninigi’s way. He turned out to be Saruta-Hiko, God of the crossroads, and he was only there to welcome Ninigi. Ame-no-Uzume eventually married Saruta-Hiko.
Ame-no-Uzume’s name means “whirling heavenly woman” and is also seen as Uzume, Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto, and Ame-no-Uzume-no-Kami. Epithets for her include The Great Persuader, Terrible Female of Heaven, Daughter of Heaven, Heaven’s Forthright Female, and The Heavenly Alarming Female.
From: here
Ame-no-Uzume no Mikoto, “the Terrible Female of Heaven,” is an important Kami in Japanese mythology and is also regarded as the founding ancestor of the Sarume Order. Although she is mentioned but a few times in the chapters of the Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters, c. 712 C.E.), she assumes a prominent role in each story in which she appears.
The first mention of Ame-no-Uzume is in the story of Amaterasu Omikami, the Sun Goddess, shutting herself into the rock cave in the 17th chapter of the Kojiki. In order to ensure Amaterasu’s return, the other Kami consulted and worked together to entice her out of hiding. Some Kami prepared to lure her out with beautiful glittering objects which they hung upon the sacred Sakaki tree; while others were ready to prevent the cave door from closing again after she opened it; but all of those plans centered on Uzume. To her fell the task of getting Amaterasu to open her door in the first place. To this end she disrobed and proceeded to perform a lewd and comical dance on an overturned tub. The other Kami joined in with boistrous singing and laughing. The ensuing noise and general carrying-on got Amaterasu to peek out after from the cave, which made it possible for the other Kami to get her to come out and stay (Kojiki 81-85).
Another ancient source, the Nihongi (Chronicles of Japan, 720 CE), offers a slightly different description of Ame-no-Uzume's dance.
Moreover Ama no Uzume no Mikoto, ancestress of the Sarume no Kimi, took in her hand a spear wreathed with Eulalia grass, and standing before the door of the Rock-cave of Heaven, skillfully performed a mimic dance. She took, moreover, the true Sakaki tree of the Heavenly Mount Kagu, and made of it a head-dress, she took club-moss and made of it braces, she kindled fires, she placed a tub bottom upwards, and gave forth a divinely inspired utterance (Nihongi 44).
In both versions, it was as a result of Uzume's wild singing and dancing that Amaterasu emerged from her cave. Thus, the beautiful and life-giving sunlight returned to the world, thanks in large part to Uzume's performance.
Later, Ame-no-Uzume again played a significant role in myths concerning the descent of Ninigi no Mikoto, the August Grandchild of Heaven. According to the narratives, Amaterasu Omikami consulted extensively with her Grandson on how best to accomplish his divinely mandated mission to bring order to the earth and found the imperial line of Japan. Ninigi had many natural endowments and he could rely upon a huge contingent of accompanying deities; nevertheless, he also faced massive and powerful opposition from rebellious terrestrial Kami who resisted the rule of heaven.
When Ninigi was about to descend, a frightening earthly deity appeared to block the intended path. This was an immense creature, with a back extending seven fathoms, a nose the size of seven hand lengths, a colossal mouth, and eyes glowing like fire. Ninigi sent Uzume on ahead to investigate this leviathan, charging her to use the daunting power of her looks to question and subdue him. The fearless goddess accordingly descended and went to Saruta-Hiko: Uzume encounters Saruta-hiko
Ame-no-Uzume forthwith bared her breasts and, pushing down the band of her garment below her navel, confronted him with a mocking laugh. Then the God of the cross-ways [Saruta-Hiko] asked her, saying:
“Ame-no-Uzume! What meanest thou by this behavior?”
She answered and said, “I venture to ask who art thou that dost thus remain in the road by which the child of Amaterasu no Oho-Kami is to make his progress?”
The God of the cross-ways answered and said, “I have heard that the child of Amaterasu no Oho-Kami is now about to descend, and therefore I have come respectfully to meet and attend upon him. My name is Saruta-Hiko no Oho-Kami.” (Nihongi 77)
Thus, it turned out that Saruta-Hiko was not an enemy after all, but would prove to be a valuable guide and aid to Ninigi. Without the courageous intervention of Uzume, however, the heavenly Kami might not have learned this in time to benefit from his help. Satisfied, “the terrible female of heaven” accompanied Saruta-Hiko on the rest of his journey to greet the August Grandchild (Kojiki 137-141).
Uzume was subsequently accorded great honors by Ninigi. Through his authority, she was made the founder and head of the Sarume Order of sacred festival dancers. Concerning this order, W.G. Aston writes: "The Sarume were primarily women who performed comic dances (saru-mahi, or monkey-dances) in honor of the Gods. They are mentioned along with the Nakatomi and Imbe as taking part in the festival of first-fruits and other Shinto ceremonies. These dances were the origin of the Kagura and No performances" (Nihongi 79, footnote).
The final episode involving Ame-no-Uzume in the Kojiki occurred immediately after she returned from accompanying Saruta-Hiko. She gathered all of the fish in the ocean, lakes, and streams together and asked them to swear loyalty to the rule of the heavenly descendants. The only one that didn’t respond positively to this was the sea slug. Uzume, as punishment for its refusal, slit the animal's mouth, which is given as the reason why the sea slug’s mouth is still shaped that way (Kojiki 142-143).
From: here
The first mention of Ame-no-Uzume is in the story of Amaterasu Omikami, the Sun Goddess, shutting herself into the rock cave in the 17th chapter of the Kojiki. In order to ensure Amaterasu’s return, the other Kami consulted and worked together to entice her out of hiding. Some Kami prepared to lure her out with beautiful glittering objects which they hung upon the sacred Sakaki tree; while others were ready to prevent the cave door from closing again after she opened it; but all of those plans centered on Uzume. To her fell the task of getting Amaterasu to open her door in the first place. To this end she disrobed and proceeded to perform a lewd and comical dance on an overturned tub. The other Kami joined in with boistrous singing and laughing. The ensuing noise and general carrying-on got Amaterasu to peek out after from the cave, which made it possible for the other Kami to get her to come out and stay (Kojiki 81-85).
Another ancient source, the Nihongi (Chronicles of Japan, 720 CE), offers a slightly different description of Ame-no-Uzume's dance.
Moreover Ama no Uzume no Mikoto, ancestress of the Sarume no Kimi, took in her hand a spear wreathed with Eulalia grass, and standing before the door of the Rock-cave of Heaven, skillfully performed a mimic dance. She took, moreover, the true Sakaki tree of the Heavenly Mount Kagu, and made of it a head-dress, she took club-moss and made of it braces, she kindled fires, she placed a tub bottom upwards, and gave forth a divinely inspired utterance (Nihongi 44).
In both versions, it was as a result of Uzume's wild singing and dancing that Amaterasu emerged from her cave. Thus, the beautiful and life-giving sunlight returned to the world, thanks in large part to Uzume's performance.
Later, Ame-no-Uzume again played a significant role in myths concerning the descent of Ninigi no Mikoto, the August Grandchild of Heaven. According to the narratives, Amaterasu Omikami consulted extensively with her Grandson on how best to accomplish his divinely mandated mission to bring order to the earth and found the imperial line of Japan. Ninigi had many natural endowments and he could rely upon a huge contingent of accompanying deities; nevertheless, he also faced massive and powerful opposition from rebellious terrestrial Kami who resisted the rule of heaven.
When Ninigi was about to descend, a frightening earthly deity appeared to block the intended path. This was an immense creature, with a back extending seven fathoms, a nose the size of seven hand lengths, a colossal mouth, and eyes glowing like fire. Ninigi sent Uzume on ahead to investigate this leviathan, charging her to use the daunting power of her looks to question and subdue him. The fearless goddess accordingly descended and went to Saruta-Hiko: Uzume encounters Saruta-hiko
Ame-no-Uzume forthwith bared her breasts and, pushing down the band of her garment below her navel, confronted him with a mocking laugh. Then the God of the cross-ways [Saruta-Hiko] asked her, saying:
“Ame-no-Uzume! What meanest thou by this behavior?”
She answered and said, “I venture to ask who art thou that dost thus remain in the road by which the child of Amaterasu no Oho-Kami is to make his progress?”
The God of the cross-ways answered and said, “I have heard that the child of Amaterasu no Oho-Kami is now about to descend, and therefore I have come respectfully to meet and attend upon him. My name is Saruta-Hiko no Oho-Kami.” (Nihongi 77)
Thus, it turned out that Saruta-Hiko was not an enemy after all, but would prove to be a valuable guide and aid to Ninigi. Without the courageous intervention of Uzume, however, the heavenly Kami might not have learned this in time to benefit from his help. Satisfied, “the terrible female of heaven” accompanied Saruta-Hiko on the rest of his journey to greet the August Grandchild (Kojiki 137-141).
Uzume was subsequently accorded great honors by Ninigi. Through his authority, she was made the founder and head of the Sarume Order of sacred festival dancers. Concerning this order, W.G. Aston writes: "The Sarume were primarily women who performed comic dances (saru-mahi, or monkey-dances) in honor of the Gods. They are mentioned along with the Nakatomi and Imbe as taking part in the festival of first-fruits and other Shinto ceremonies. These dances were the origin of the Kagura and No performances" (Nihongi 79, footnote).
The final episode involving Ame-no-Uzume in the Kojiki occurred immediately after she returned from accompanying Saruta-Hiko. She gathered all of the fish in the ocean, lakes, and streams together and asked them to swear loyalty to the rule of the heavenly descendants. The only one that didn’t respond positively to this was the sea slug. Uzume, as punishment for its refusal, slit the animal's mouth, which is given as the reason why the sea slug’s mouth is still shaped that way (Kojiki 142-143).
From: here
Ame-no-Uzume-no-mikoto (天宇受売命, 天鈿女命?) is the goddess of dawn and revelry in the Shinto religion of Japan. She famously relates to the tale of the missing sun deity, Amaterasu Omikami. Her name can also be pronounced as Ama-no-Uzume.
Amaterasu's brother, the storm god Susano'o, had vandalized her sacred buildings and brutally killed one of her maidens due to a quarrel between. In turn, Amaterasu became terrified of his wrath and retreated into the Heavenly Rock Cave, Amano-Iwato. The world, without the illumination of the sun, became dark and the gods could not lure Amaterasu out of her hiding place.
The clever Uzume overturned a tub near the cave entrance and began a dance on it, tearing off her clothing in front of the other deities. They considered this so comical that they laughed heartily at the sight.
Amaterasu heard them, and peered out to see what all the fuss was about. When she opened the cave, she saw her glorious reflection in a mirror which Uzume had placed on a tree, and slowly emerged from her hiding spot.
At that moment, the god Ame-no-Tajikarawo-no-mikoto dashed forth and closed the cave behind her, refusing to budge so that she could no longer retreat. Another god tied a magic shirukume rope across the entrance. The deities Ame-no-Koyane-no-mikoto and Ame-no-Futodama-no-mikoto then asked Amaterasu to rejoin the divine. She agreed, and light was restored to the earth.
Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto is still worshiped today as a Shinto kami, spirits indigenous to Japan. She is also known as Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto, The Great Persuader, and The Heavenly Alarming Female. She is depicted in kyogen farce as Okame, a woman who revels in her sensuality.
From: Wiki
Amaterasu's brother, the storm god Susano'o, had vandalized her sacred buildings and brutally killed one of her maidens due to a quarrel between. In turn, Amaterasu became terrified of his wrath and retreated into the Heavenly Rock Cave, Amano-Iwato. The world, without the illumination of the sun, became dark and the gods could not lure Amaterasu out of her hiding place.
The clever Uzume overturned a tub near the cave entrance and began a dance on it, tearing off her clothing in front of the other deities. They considered this so comical that they laughed heartily at the sight.
Amaterasu heard them, and peered out to see what all the fuss was about. When she opened the cave, she saw her glorious reflection in a mirror which Uzume had placed on a tree, and slowly emerged from her hiding spot.
At that moment, the god Ame-no-Tajikarawo-no-mikoto dashed forth and closed the cave behind her, refusing to budge so that she could no longer retreat. Another god tied a magic shirukume rope across the entrance. The deities Ame-no-Koyane-no-mikoto and Ame-no-Futodama-no-mikoto then asked Amaterasu to rejoin the divine. She agreed, and light was restored to the earth.
Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto is still worshiped today as a Shinto kami, spirits indigenous to Japan. She is also known as Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto, The Great Persuader, and The Heavenly Alarming Female. She is depicted in kyogen farce as Okame, a woman who revels in her sensuality.
From: Wiki
Ancient Japan's shaman goddess was the one who lured the sun-goddess Amaterasu from the cave where she'd hidden. She did so by a merry mockery of shamanic ritual. Tying her sleeves above her elbows with moss cords and fastening bells around her wrists, she danced on an overturned tub before the heavenly Sky-Rock-Cave. Tapping out a rhythm with her feet, she exposed her breasts and then her genitals in the direction of the sun. So comic did she make this striptease that the myriad gods and goddesses began to clap and laugh -- an uproar that finally brought the curious sun back to warm the earth.
Shaman women who followed Uzume were called miko in ancient Japan. First queens like Himiko, later they were princesses and even later, commonborn women. Some Japanese women today, especially those called nuru and yata in Okinawa and the surrounding islands, still practice shamanic divination.
From: here
Shaman women who followed Uzume were called miko in ancient Japan. First queens like Himiko, later they were princesses and even later, commonborn women. Some Japanese women today, especially those called nuru and yata in Okinawa and the surrounding islands, still practice shamanic divination.
From: here
Some info
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Related MW threads with more info on myths, etc:
Amaterasu {Goddess of the Week}
Susanoo {God of the Week}
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