Amaterasu

Amaterasu (also known as Amaterasu Ōmikami) is the Japanese sun goddess, one of the central kami of the Shinto pantheon. Her name combines the Japanese elements ama (天) meaning "heaven, sky" and terasu (照) meaning "shine", giving the overall sense "shining over heaven."

Mythological Origins

According to the Kojiki (c. 712 CE) and Nihon Shoki (720 CE), Amaterasu was born when the creator god Izanagi washed his left eye after returning from the underworld. She and her two siblings—the moon god Tsukuyomi and the storm god Susanoo—are known as the "Three Precious Children" (mihashira no uzu no miko), the most important offspring of Izanagi.

Ruler of the Heavens and Ancestor of the Imperial Line

Amaterasu is portrayed as the ruler of the heavenly realm Takamagahara. In one famous myth, after a conflict with Susanoo, she hid in a cave, plunging the world into darkness. The other gods lured her out with a mirror and jewels, restoring light. Later, she sent her grandson Ninigi to earth to rule, making the Imperial House of Japan claim descent from her—a claim documented in early chronicles.

Worship and Cultural Significance

Her chief place of worship is the Grand Shrine of Ise in Ise, Mie Prefecture, a complex that includes the Naikū (Inner Shrine). She is also enshrined across Japan. As the goddess of the sun, purity, and the Imperial family, Amaterasu is central to Shinto state rituals and household worship.

• Meaning: "Shining over heaven"
• Origin: Japanese
• Type: Mythological name
• Usage Regions: Japan