Japanese Mythology

Shintoism
Who is Amaterasu?
The Myth of Amaterasu
How did Amaterasu
influenced the Japanese
way of life?
Why did Amaterasu hide
in the cave?
 Japanese Mythology
Japanese mythology is a system of
beliefs that
embraces Shinto and Buddhist traditions
as well as agriculture-based folk religion.
Mainstream Japanese myths, as generally
recognized today, are based on the
KOJIKI, NIHON SHOKI and some
complementary books
The Kojiki or "Record of Ancient Matters" is the
oldest recognized book of myths, legends and
history of Japan. The Nihon Shoki refers to
Chronicles of Japan

The Nihon Shoki and Kojiki accounts of

Amaterasus origin differ. Nihon Shoki states
that she was the offspring of Izanagi and
Izanami, the first Shinto gods, while the Kojiki
explains that she was born from Izanagis left
eye when he ritually washed it from visiting
hell.
 Shintoism

Is the indigenous spirituality of Japan and the

people of Japan.
It is a set of practices, to be carried out
diligently, to establish a connection between
present day Japan and its ancient past
 Who is Amaterasu?
Amaterasu is the SUN GODDES OF JAPAN according
to Shinto Religion.
Her full name is Amaterasu Omikami, which means
GREAT SPIRIT ILLUMINATING THE HEAVENS
A beautiful and compassionate goddess who ruled both
the sun and the heavenly fields of rice that fed the
Japanese people.
 She is the offspring of Izanagi and Izanami ,
the supreme Japanese deity who created the
world and the gods.
Another story states that she came from
Izanagis left eye.
She and her brothers, the storm god,
Susanoo, and the moon god, Tsuki-yomi,
shared the power of governing the universe.
Amaterasu, as the sun goddess, was
responsible for illuminating the world and for
insuring the fertility of the rice fields.
 The Myth of AMATERASU

The myth explains:

The separation between the sun and the
moon.
The origin of food on earth.
The beginning of agriculture and silkworm
industry.
Separation of Sun and Moon
Amaterasu was reigning in the heavens
when she sent her brother and husband,
the god of the moon down to the reed
plains to serve the goddess of food.
When the goddess of food saw him, the
goddess spit boiled rice, fish and fur-
coated animals from her mouth for him
to eat. This made the moon god
insulted.
 The moon god drew his sword and killed the
goddess of food.
He returned to Amaterasu and told her of his
deed. This made Amaterasu very angry and
said: You are an evil god! Take yourself from
my presence and see to it that we do not meet
face to face again.
So, the sun and the moon lived apart from one
another, separated by day and night.
The Origin of Food, Agriculture
and Silkworm Industry on Earth.
The goddess of food was indeed dead after
the moon god killed her.
The ox and horse had issued forth from her
head, grain had grown from her head,
silkworms had come forth from her
eyebrows, cereals had emerged from her
eyes, rice had grown from her stomach, and
wheat and beans had grown from her
abdomen.
 Amaterasu was delighted with the variety of
foods. She extracted the seeds from various
grains and planted them in the dry fields. She
took the rice seed and planted them in the water
fields.
She placed the silkworms in her mouth and
collected silken thread from them. Thus, the
goddess initiated the art of raising silkworm.
It is then the beginning of Food, Agriculture and
Silkworm industry
cited silken thread from them. Thus, the goddess
initiated the art of raising silkworm.
It is then the beginning of Food, Agriculture and
Silkworm industry
 Why did Amaterasu hide in the
cave?
Susano-o-no Mikoto, Amaterasus rude, violent
and evil brother decided to visit his shining
sister Amaterasu.
Susano-o-Mikoto became possessed by jealous
anger. He destroyed and ruined everything
the rice field, the channels and the troughs and
pipes.
Amaterasu remained calm and tolerant.
 When Amaterasu was weaving cloth for the god
in her sacred weaving hall, her evil brother
silently removed the roof tiles and threw a colt of
heaven in to room.
Amaterasu was so startled that she pricked
herself with her shuttle.
All of the gods gathered along the banks of the
peaceful river of heaven and they planned how
to make Amaterasu get out of the cave.
They made prayers and offerings for her.
The goddesses danced and chanted by the
door.
 Amaterasus curiosity overcame her anger and she
opened the door a crack to look outside.
The gods and the people rejoiced in the return of the
suns brilliant rays.
They took Amaterasu by the hand, had her among
them and convinced her to join them.
The gods punished Susano-o-Mikoto.
He is banished from heaven and from the central
weed plains as well.
He left heaven forever and began his journey to the
Netherlands.
THANK YOU!