Ama no Iwato

Ama no Iwato (天岩戸, Sacred Rock Cave) is a sacred and important cave in Shinto mythology.

This rock cave surrounds the story of Amaterasu and Susano-o after he scares her causing her to flee into the rock cave.¹²³ Due to Amaterasu hiding here, the sun disappeared from Heaven and Earth casting everything into eternal darkness. The multitudes of kami gather at the entrance to the cave and in the end Ameno Uzume performs a lewd dance to trick Amaterasu to peering out of the rock cave in wonder. The kami Amenotajikarao then grabs and her and pulls her from the cave, bringing the sun back into Heaven and Earth.¹²

The cave acts as a way to represents the death of the sun and its resurection in winter solstice and solar eclipses.¹

Footnotes

1. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
2. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697″. Tuttle Publishing.
3. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.

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Sarume Clan

The Sarume Clan were one of the many various clans of Japan. This clan claimed descent from the Shinto kami Ameno Uzume.¹

Footnotes

1. Martin, P. (1997) ”The Chrysanthemum Throne”. Gloucestershire: Sutton Publishing Limited.

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Hear about Susano-o on Episode 21 and 44 of our Podcast, the Japan Archives.

• • Affiliation: Shinto
  • Kami of: Yomi
  • Family: Amaterasu (sister) Tsukiyomi (brother) Ōkuninushi (son) Takiribime (daughter) Ichikishimahime (daughter) Takitsuhime (daughter) Ōkuninushi (descendant) Numerous other decendants

Susano-o

Susano-o (須佐之男), also called Hayasusano-o², is known to be the father of Ōkuninushi and brother to the Sun Amaterasu and Moon Tsukiyomi. He rules over Yomi (the Underworld) and is said to be the kami of storms.¹²

Birth

According to the narrative of the Kojiki and Nihongi they state Susano-o was born from the nose of his father Izanagi after washing it in the Tachibana River. This is due to the fact Izanagi is trying to rid cleanse himself of the evils and filth from Yomi.¹²

However, alternate versions of the Nihongi give differing origins to this kami. In one version it states he is the third child born of both Izanagi and Izanami, with another stating he was born whilst Izanagi was holding two copper mirrors and happened to look ‘askance.’²

After his birth he is tasked to rule over the earth in the Nihongi², but the oceans in the Kojiki¹ and one alternative version of the Nihongi.²

Condemnation

Both the Kojiki and Nihongi agree that after his birth he was prone to burst of anger and rage, causing the world around him to wither and die and so he is eventually condemned to Yomi.¹²

It is interesting to note that in some versions of the Nihongi, where he is born solely from Izanagi and asked why he is so full of anger and rage; it is because he wishes to join his mother (Izanami) in Yomi. It is interesting due to the fact that, at least according to the text, he only has a father and no mother.²

Rock Cave and Exile

Before leaving for Yomi he wished to speak to his sister one last time and so ascends to Heaven. He says he comes with no ill intent and so Amaterasu asks for them to make a pledge together and create children.¹²

Amaterasu makes him hand over his ten span sword, cleaning it and chewing it in her mouth she spits forth three female kami, these daughters being called Takiribime, Ichikishimahime and Takitsuhime.¹² According to the Kojiki these daughters born from his sword show Susano-o had no ill intent and so in triumph he runs amok in Heaven destroying rice fields.¹ The main text of the Nihongi differs where it says should he have daughters then he has ill intent.²

Before running amok in Heaven he asks for the Jewels from Amaterasu’s hair, and chewing them he spits forth five children, these being Amenooshihomimi, Amenohohi, Amatsuhikone, Ikutsuhikone and Kumanokusubi.¹²

There are several alternative versions of this particular event within the Nihongi. In one, Susano-o doesn’t chew the sword of her sister, but instead chews his own jewels creating the five sons. (Presumably then in this context, these females are daughters of Amaterasu, and the males are sons of Susano-o).

Another version says that before ascending to Heaven to see his sister Susano-o is visited by a kami known as Haakarutama who gives magatama beads which he then plans to gift to his sister. In this version Amaterasu says if he births daughter he is here with ill intent, and after swapping items Susano-o is shown to have three daughters.

A third and final version, says if he produces sons then he has no ill intent. In this version again, they use their own items. Amaterasu uses her sword and Susano-o his jewels. This version includes new sons and he does not chews and spit out the jewels. He places them on parts of his body. The left hand produces Amenooshihomimi, and right hand Amenohohi. His left forearm makes Amatsuhikone and his right Ikutsuhikone. From his right leg comes Kumanokusubi and from his left foot comes Hinohayahi.¹

His final act whilst running amok in Heaven (in the Kojiki) was to drop a pie-bald colt which had been skinned backwards from its tail into the sacred weaving hall where Amaterasu and Amenohatorime were. The colt causes Amenohatorime to be startled and so she accidently kills herself by slamming her weaving shuttle into her privates. Amaterasu frightened by all this flee into the Sacred Rock cave and so night falls eternally.¹ In the main text of the Nihongi, Amenohatorihime is not mentioned and Amaterasu injures herself in fear before fleeing to the rock cave.²

When he sister is finally coaxed out of the Sacred Rock cave a large fine of 1000 tables of food offerings is placed upon him and he is then exiled from Heaven.¹² In the Nihongi it states he also had his hair pulled out with an alternate version of the Nihongi adding that his toenails were pulled out.² With the Kokiji stating his beard, fingernails and toenails were cut off.¹

As he now need to give up offering of food, he beseeches Ōgetsuhime for her help. She does so by providing food from her various orifices, and Susano-o considering this food digusting and defiled kills Ogetsuhime before leaving Heaven.¹ This tale is told differently in the Nihongi and relates to the kami Tsukiyomi and Ukemochi.

There are further alternative versions of the tale in the Nihongi which go as follows. In one he startles Wakahirume with the colt causing her death, making Amaterasu flee into the Rock Cave. Another says he kept destroying his sisters field, but she continued to forgive him. Eventually he defecated under her chair causing her to be outraged and so she entered into the Rock Cave. After her return in this verison Susano-o is fined and gives soft white offerings from his spit, and soft blue offerings from his mucus.

A finaly version states he was jealous of his sisters fields as his were barren and so kept destroying them, at first she forgave him but eventually had had enough of this and entered the Rock Cave. After being coaxed out he was sent into exile causing much rain as he left. However, he wanted to see his sister one last time, and so returning to Heaven, his sister was warned of his arrival by Ameno Uzume and so the Sun kami dressed in warrior garb. It is here in the narrative that the kami Amenooshihomimi, Amenohohi, Amatsuhikone, Ikutsuhikone and Kumanokusubi are born from Susano-o instead of earlier in the main text of the narritive. After this he departs heaven.²

Yamata no Orochi

After his exile and departure he would eventually discover the sword Kusanagi inside the Dragon Yamata no Orochi.³

This part of his tale, varies wildly between the Kojiki and Nihongi, and inside of the Nihongi there are many alternative version for this part of his story.

One version of the Nihongi states he heads to the source of the River Hi in Idzumo Province, there he hears weeping and goes to find the source of it. Eventually he comes across Ashinadzuchi, Tenadzuchi and their daughter Kushinadahime. He discovers they cry as every year the dragon Yamato no Orochi comes to eat one of their children. Susano-o says he can save their daughter if they can be wed and so the father agrees. He turns Kushinadahime into a comb which he places in his hair before asking her parents to brew eight barrels of sake. When the eight-headed dragon appears it drinks up all the sake and falls asleep, Susano-o then using this opportunity to cut up the beast.

His sword gets stuck in its tail, and so opening it up he finds the sword Kusanagi inside. After deciding to give the sword to Heaven as a gift he goes with his wife to a place they name Suga, meaning refreshed as that was how they felt when they arrived. Here they marry and have a son called Ōkuninushi, and after wards he makes Ashinadzuchi and Tenadzuchi, Inada no Miyanushi (Shrine/Palace masters), before descending to Yomi.²

One alternative writing states he composed a poem here², this is also included in the Kojiki.¹

Another version omits all of the above, saying he went to the River Hi where he finds Inadahime, a daughter of Susa-no-yatsu-mimi (Title for Tenadzuchi?). Together they had a child by the name of Suga-no-yu-yama-nushi Mitsu-na-saro-hiko-yamaa-shino.²

The next version returns to Yamato no Orochi. Susano-o comes to the River Ye, in Aki Province. Here he meet Ashi-nadzu-te-nadzu and his wife Inada no Miya-nushi Susa no yatsu-mimi. They are both filled with sorrow as the kami is pregnant and soon Yamato no Orochi will come for it. Susano-o makes them brew sake, which again the dragon drinks and then falls asleep after Susano-o calls the dragon an awful kami and offers to serve him. When he cuts up the Dragon the sword in this version is given a name, Orochi no Aramasa. When he cuts the Dragons tail, he finds inside of it Kusanagi.²

Another version states he wanted to marry Kushinadahime, but could only do so if he slew the dragon. In this version, the sword he uses to kill Yamato no Orochi is called Orochi no Karasabi, and again he finds Kusanagi in the dragons tail. After this, it is said the sword Orochi no Karasabi is given into the care of the Kambe of Kibi Province.²

Moving to the next version, it says that after his exile he ventures to Silla with his son Isotakeru. Annd here they settle in Soshimori. Susano-o does not like it here and so fashions a boat of clay to sail eastwards to Mount Torikamu no Take, located upstream on the River Hi. He then learn of the Dragon and fells it with the sword known as Ama no Hayekiri. Again he finds the sword Kusanagi in the creatures tail and asks his 5th generational descendant Ama no Fukine to give this item to Heaven.²

The final version told in the Nihongi states that at this time Susano-o knew the land of Han to be full of riches, and wanting the same for Japan his plucked hairs from all over his body to turn them into a myraid of tree so the people may have wood. His three children, here called Isotakeru, Ōyatsuhime and Tsumatsuhime dispersed the seeds of the trees and then went to dwell in Kii. Susano-o then goes to dwell upon the summit of Mount Kumanari (likely Mount Kumano in Izumo), and eventually he went to dwell in the Nether World.²

Turning now to the story as it relates in the Kojiki, it says Susano-o went to Torikami, located in the upper sections of the River Hi. Here he sees a chopstick floating down river and so decides to investigate. He finds a weeping elderly couple with Kushinadahime between them. When asking why they cry, he is told how the dragon comes every year for one of their children, and this girl is the only one they have left. He asks that Kushinadahime be given over to him, and then asks the mother and father to brew sake.

He turns Kushinadahime in a comb which he places in his hair and once the dragon is drunk from the sake he cuts it up with the River Hi filling with blood. After finding the sword Kusanagi in the creatures tail, he takes it to his sister personally and tells he the story of the Dragon. After this Susano-o and Kushinadahime marry and the poem, mentioned above, is recited.

To finish it off, he makes Tenadzuchi the Head of his mighty halls, giving him the titles Master of the Halls of Inada, and Master of Suga. Together Susano-o and Kushinadahime then have the kami Yashimajinumi. Shortly after Susano-o then takes another wife known as Kamu Ōichihime and together then have the children Ōtoshi and Ukanomitama.¹

Yōkai connections

Susano-o is also cited as the father of the yōkai Amanozako, who he birthed from his chest after it filled with rage and he expelled it.⁴

Footnotes

1. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
2. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.
3. Littleton. C.S. (1995) “Yamato-takeru: An Arthurian Hero in Japanese Tradition”. Asian Folklore Studies, Vol. 54, No.2, pp.259-274.
4. Yoda, H. and Alt, M. (2016) “Japandemonium: Illustrated: The Yokai Encyclopaedia of Toriyama Sekien.”. New York: over Publications, Inc.

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Ameno Uzume

Ameno Uzume (天宇受売命, 天鈿女命) is known to be the ancestor of the Sarume Clan.²

She is mentioned in the nihongi and kojiki during the time when Amaterasu hides herself in the Sacred Rock Cave because of the actions of her brother Susano-o. She performs a dance in an attempt to get Amaterasu to leave the Rock Cave. The dance is said to have cause the kami to laugh, causing Amaterasu to peek out from the Rock Cave as she couldn’t understand how people could be happy wth her being absent.¹²

The kojiki states that it was a lewd dance, in which she became possessed, showing her breasts and pushing her girdle down past her privates. She is said to have danced on an upturned bucket, dressed in vines and ivy.¹

In the nihongi it is described as a ‘mimic dance,’ and it is said she danced with a spear wreathed in grass, dancing with a headress made from an uprooted tree from Mount Kagu which was decorated with a mirror and magatama.²

An alternative version in the nihongi mentions how, when Susano-o comes to Takamagahara for the last time to see his sister, she warns Amaterasu, causing her to dress in warrior garb.²

Footnotes

1. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
2. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.

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Hear about Amaterasu on Episode 12, 21 and 35 of our Podcast, the Japan Archives.

• • Affiliation: Shinto
  • Kami of: The Sun
  • Family: Izanami? (mother) Susano-o (brother) Tsukiyomi (brother) Ninigi (grand-son) Ōkuninushi (nephew) Amenooshihomimi (son) Amenohohi (son) Amatsuhikone (son) Ikutsuhikone (son) Kumanokusubi (son)

Amaterasu

Amaterasu (天照 – Heaven Shining) also known as Ōhirume-no-muchi-no-kami (大日孁貴神) is the Sun kami of Shinto, born in some accounts from the kami Izanami, her brothers being the kami of the Underworld Susano-o, and the moon Tsukiyomi.¹

Birth

Within the main text of the nihongi it states Amaterasu was born after the kami Kayanohime as a child Izanami and Izanagi. However, a different version within the nihongi states she was born from Izanagi only when he held a white copper mirror in his left hand. She was the first of three siblings, her brothers being Susano-o and Tsukiyomi. A third version states she was born from Izanagi washing his left eye in the Tachibana River after becoming polluted from his visit into Yomi.¹ This third version is the version stated in the text of the kojiki, with the only addition being that Izanagi gave her a jewelled necklace; this necklace being the kami Mikuratana.²

Her splendor was said to have shone through the 6 quadrants (North, East, South, West, Above and Below) and due to how special her parents/parent saw her to be she was sent to rule over Heaven and ascended the Ladder of Heaven.¹²

Day and Night

During her time in Heaven, she learns of a kami called Ukemochi living in Japan and so sends Tsukiyomi down to wait upon her. Tsukiyomi soon returns to her after Ukemochi had offended him with a feast she provided and he had killed her. Amaterasu calls her brother wicked and wishing to not see him again she sends him away and they are separated leading to the day and night cycle to begin.

She sends Amekumabito to Ukemochi, and brings back from her body ox, horse, millet, silkworm, panic, rice, wheat, large beans and smalls beans. Amaterasu rejoices and takes these declaring them to be what man needs to live. She then plants the rice in the fields of heaven and reels from the silkworm the silk with her tongue, thus beginning the art of silk rearing.¹

Testing the Heart of Susano-o

Her brother Susano-o, having been condemned to go reside in Yomi, wished to speak to his sister one last time and so ascends to Heaven. He brother informs her that he comes with no ill intent and so Amaterasu asks for them to make a pledge together and create children.¹²

Amaterasu makes him hand over his ten span sword, cleaning it and chewing it in her mouth she spits forth three female kami, these daughters being called Takiribime, Ichikishimahime and Takitsuhime.¹² According to the kojiki these daughters born from his sword show Susano-o had no ill intent and so in triumph he runs amok in Heaven destroying rice fields.² The main text of the nihongi differs where it says should he have daughters then he has ill intent.¹

Before running amok in Heaven he asks for the Jewels from Amaterasu’s hair, and chewing them he spits forth five children, these being Amenooshihomimi, Amenohohi, Amatsuhikone, Ikutsuhikone and Kumanokusubi.¹²

There are several alternative versions of this particular event within the nihongi. In one, she doesn’t chew the jewels of her brother, but instead chews her own sword creating the three daughters. (Presumably then in this context, these females are daughters of Amaterasu, and the males are sons of Susano-o).

Another version says that before ascending to Heaven to see his sister Susano-o is visited by a kami known as Haakarutama who gave him magatama beads which he then plans to gift to his sister. In this version Amaterasu says if he births daughter he is here with ill intent, and after swapping items Susano-o is shown to have three daughters.

Another, says if he produces sons then he has no ill intent. In this version again, they use their own items. Amaterasu uses her sword and Susano-o his jewels. This version includes new sons and he does not chew and spit out the jewels. He places them on parts of his body. The left hand produces Amenooshihomimi, and right hand Amenohohi. His left forearm makes Amatsuhikone and his right Ikutsuhikone. From his right leg comes Kumanokusubi and from his left foot comes Hinohayahi.¹

Susano-o’s final act whilst running amok in Heaven (in the kojiki) was to drop a pie-bald colt which had been skinned backwards from its tail into the sacred weaving hall where Amaterasu and Amenohatorime were. The colt causes Amenohatorime to be startled and so she accidently kills herself by slamming her weaving shuttle into her privates. Amaterasu frightened by all this flee into the Sacred Rock cave and so night falls eternally.² In the main text of the nihongi, Amenohatorihime is not mentioned and Amaterasu injures herself in fear before fleeing to the rock cave.¹

Addtionally, there is a version where the kami Wakahirume is the one to be startled in the Weaving Hall, dying from her injuries.¹

Additionally one mentions that Susano-o repeatedly destroys her fields, but she decides to forgive him. In the end he defecates under her chair which repulses her and so flees into the cave. Another version mentioned again how he ruins her fields, jealous as they are so fertile when his are not, she forgives him for a while but ultimately she has enough and goes into the Rock Cave.¹

Inside the Rock Cave

All the kami of Heaven then are said to have gathered on the banks of the river Amenoyasunokawa while they decided what should be done to get Amaterasu to leave the cave.¹² The kojiki states it was left to Omoikane to decide what must be done.²

To bring her out, cockerals are gathered from the mythical land of Tokoyo. Stone is taken from the Amenoyasunokawa and iron from Heaven’s mountains. The kami Amatsumara is brought, Ishikoridome fashions a mirror and Tamanooya makes a necklace of magatama. Ameno Koyane and Ameno Futodama then conduct divination before they take a tree from Mount Kagu placing the mirror and magatama jewels upon it. The Spirit Amenotajikarao then places himself just outside of the rock cave. Ameno Uzume the performs a lewd dance making everyone laugh, and so Amaterasu peers out of the cave wondering how people can be happy in her absence.¹²

In the kojiki, Ameno Futodama and Ameno Koyane place a mirror before her face, saying they are happy as there is someone here more beautiful than she. And so she steps a little more out of the cave.²

Once she is partially out, Amenotajikarao grabs her and pulls her from the cave bringing sunlight back into the world. Futodama and Koyane then take a sacred boundry rope and stretch it behind Amaterasu barring her from returning into the cave.¹²

Alternative writings again of the nihongi give other accounts. The version where Wakahirume dies states that Ishikoridome was appointed as artisan to get her out, and so she makes a Sun-Spear from copper and Heavenly Bellows from a Stag Hide from Mount Kagu. The defecation version states, Amenonukado makes the mirrors, Ameno Futodama gives offerings, Toyomata the jewels, Yamatsuchi collects Sasaki Tree’s, Nozuchi collects Suzuki Grass, and once Amaterasu comes out of the cave Ameno Koyane recites a liturgy.

The version where he is jealous of his sisters fields tells how Ameno Koyane gives a liturgy and then set up a tree to hangs mirrors made by Onokoridome and Jewels made by Amenoakarudama. Tree fibre is gathered by Hiwashi. Ameno Futodama then recites a liturgy and when she looks out the cave Amenotajikarao brings her out. Following on from this version, Susano-o then wished to see his sister one last time before going to Yomi, upon returning to Heaven Ameno Uzume warns her of his coming and so Amaterasu dresses in warrior garb. It is here then that the kami Amenooshihomimi, Amenohohi, Amatsuhikone, Ikutsuhikone and Kumanokusubi are created by Susano-o. instead of earlier in the narrative.¹

Once she leaves the rock cave her brother is expelled from Heaven. However, in one alternative version of the nihongi he returns one final time to give his sister the sword Kusanagi after finding it in the tail of Yamata no Orochi.¹

Ninigi and Emperor Jimmu

Later in her life, to ensure her son Ninigi could descend to Earth to rule, she asked Ōkuninushi to temporarily give authority of the Earth to Ninigi, in return for Onanomochi having confirmation of his own primacy in divine matters. Upon his descent to Earth, she gave to him the Sacred Mirror.³

During the time of Emperor Jimmu, Amaterasu came to him in a dream after he and his men came to an impasse while trying to subdue the Yamato region. In the dream, she stated she would send the Yatagarasu (Sun Crow) to lead him through the impasse. Soon the crow appeared and showed his army and him the way.⁴

Reign of Emperor Sujin

During the reign of Emperor Sujin he requested punishment from the kami for the plague spreading through Japan. Fearing the power of Amaterasu and Ōkuninushi he also seperates their worship with Amaterasu worshipped in Kasanui in Yamato and Ohokunidama was entrusted into the care of Nunakinobime.

Later in his reign, Amaterasu instructed Toyosukiiribime to journey the provinces with the Sacred Sword and Mirror.¹

Reign of Emperor Suinin

The care of Amaterasu is passed from Toyosukiiribime to Yamatohime. She goes searching for a place to enshrine Amaterasu travelling through Sasahata in Uda, then Mino and finally reaches Ise.¹

The Jinnō Shōtōki says she toured the provinces at Amaterasu’s command, further saying she chose the headwaters of the Isuzu River in the Watarai District of Ise in the 26th year, 10th month of Suinin’s reign.⁶

Here the kami communes with Yamatohime saying she wishes to dwell in Ise and so a shrine was built. When the shrine was first built Amaterasu made a descent from Heaven.¹ And so following this the Emperor takes the Sacred Regalia and houses them in the Naiku Shrine here.⁷

The Jinnō Shōtōki says that she placed the Sword and Mirror into the shrine herself.⁶

Sagoromo Monogatari

Amaterasu finds herself mentioned in the Sagoromo Monogatari. In this tale, dating to the Heian Period, it is said that she causes the main character of the tale Sagoromo to become the Emperor after she gives an oracular decree.⁵

Footnotes

1. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.
2. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
3. Martin, P. (1997) ”The Chrysanthemum Throne”. Gloucestershire: Sutton Publishing Limited.
4. Kidder, J. (1964) “Early Japanese Art” London: Thames & Hudson.
5. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
6. Varley, H.P (1980) “A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns: Jinnō Shōtōki of Kitabatake Chikafusa.” New York: Columbia University Press.
7. Ponsonby, F. (1959) “The Imperial House of Japan.” Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society.

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