Yasakani-no-Magatama, the Grand Jewel, is a magatama, a curved beaded or jeweled necklace common during the prehistoric Japanese period (prior to the 4th century). Yata-no-Kagami (八咫鏡), the Eight-Span Mirror, was used to lure Amaterasu from the cave she hid in Together, these relics are known as the Imperial Regalia of Japan: The Imperial family possesses three holy relics that come directly from Amaterasu herself. Some scholars assume, based on archaeological evidence, that the prehistoric sun cult that occupied the region may have worshipped some incarnation of Amaterasu. Though State Shinto was abolished in the years after World War II, Amaterasu and the Imperial family remain an important part of Japanese spiritual life. It was only after Shinto was formally recognized as a state religion, however, that Amaterasu’s role was solidified and the Imperial family set once more as head of the now-democratized Japan. Prior to the Meiji Restoration, when Shinto was not yet formalized, Amaterasu was important across most of Japan. Goddess of StateĪmaterasu has always been an important-if not the most important- kami in Japanese spiritual life. She maintains harmony and balance in both the natural world and human society. Thus, the earthly court systems and the justice they represent are reflections of Amaterasu’s divine justice, though she herself is not the goddess of justice - merely its final arbiter. The Imperial family has long served as the legitimizing power of any Japanese political entity, and they have always used this position to ensure that Amaterasu’s place as Queen of Heaven and her control of its courts are reflected in their rule. Through Amaterasu’s illumination, she represents not just order, but the justice that maintains it as well. In pre-modern Japan this was one of the many justifications for the society’s caste system. The Japanese Imperial family, which claims descent from Amaterasu, sit at the head of Japanese society, and from the Imperial family a natural hierarchy exists. This order is reflected in Japanese society as well. All things in creation are ordered, from Amaterasu down to the denizens of Jigoku and other hells. The sun represents order and purity, two of Shinto’s most important concepts.
In this position, she not only serves as the literal rising sun that illuminates all things, but also provides nourishment to all living creatures and marks the orderly movement of day into night.
Goddess of the Rising SunĪmaterasu’s primary role is that of the sun goddess. Though she did not create the universe, she is the goddess of creation, a role she inherited from her father, Izanagi, who now defends the world from the land of the dead. This longer version means “the great and glorious kami who illuminates from Heaven.” The most prominent of her titles is Ōhirume-no-muchi-no-kami (大日孁貴神), meaning “the great sun of the kami.” AttributesĪmaterasu is the Queen of Heaven, the kami, and creation itself. Amaterasu can be translated as “Shines from Heaven,” with 天 meaning “heaven” (or Imperial) and 照 meaning “shines.” Amaterasu is shorthand for Amaterasu-ōmikami, which can be represented in Kanji as 天照大神, 天照大御神, and 天照皇大神.
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