DEITIES
The Birth of the Sun, Moon, and Sea
After escaping from the underworld, Izanagi cleansed himself of the impurities he had sustained from the land of the dead. As he was washing his face, Izanagi accidentally created the sun, moon, and sea deities. Amaterasu the incarnation of the sun was born from the washing of his left eye, Tsukiyomi the incarnation of the moon was born from the washing of his right eye, and Susanoo the incarnation of the sea was born from the washing of his nose. These three deities are perhaps the most important gods and goddesses in Japanese mythology.
Amaterasu
Woodblock print of Amaterasu
The first of the three deities, Amaterasu, which roughly translates to "she who shines in the heavens," is not only the goddess of the sun, but also of the heavens and universe.
One of the central figures in Japanese religion and belief systems, Amaterasu is considered to be one of the most important deities in mythology and is worshipped in all of Japan for her beauty and power. In fact, the members of the Japanese imperial family are said to be descendants of her. Amaterasu is also accredited with the creation of rice fields, the invention of the art of weaving with the loom, and for teaching people how to cultivate wheat and silkworms.
One of the central figures in Japanese religion and belief systems, Amaterasu is considered to be one of the most important deities in mythology and is worshipped in all of Japan for her beauty and power. In fact, the members of the Japanese imperial family are said to be descendants of her. Amaterasu is also accredited with the creation of rice fields, the invention of the art of weaving with the loom, and for teaching people how to cultivate wheat and silkworms.
Tsukiyomi
A digital portrayal of Tsukiyomi
Tsukiyomi is the second of the three noble children born from Izanagi's cleansing. For a long time, Tsukiyomi lived in the heavens with his sister, Amaterasu. This changed however, on one day, when his sister sent Amaterasu in her stead to a feast hosted by the food goddess, Uke Mochi. While he was there, he witnessed the process of how Uke Mochi produced food and was disgusted. She would turn to the ocean, spit out fish, face the forest, spit out wild game, and then turn to the rice paddy and cough up rice to feed the humans of the earth. Revolted by her actions, Tsukiyomi ended up killing Uke Mochi for her disgusting display.
After learning what her brother had done, Amaterasu was so angry with him that she moved to another part of the sky, never wanting to speak to him again. And it is because of this reason that day and night are always separate and never together.
After learning what her brother had done, Amaterasu was so angry with him that she moved to another part of the sky, never wanting to speak to him again. And it is because of this reason that day and night are always separate and never together.
Susanoo
Artwork of Susanoo
The last of the three children, Susanoo is the god of the seas, storms, and also the ruler of the Yomi, the underworld. According to the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki, the second oldest chronicle of Japanese history, it is said that he and Amaterasu shared a long-time rivalry with one another.
This rivalry reached a peak on one day, when Susanoo went on a rampage against her. He destroyed Amaterasu's rice fields and loom and killed one of her attendants, causing her to hide inside a cave for an extended period of time. After leaving her cave, Susanoo was punished by Amaterasu by being banished from Heaven.
This rivalry reached a peak on one day, when Susanoo went on a rampage against her. He destroyed Amaterasu's rice fields and loom and killed one of her attendants, causing her to hide inside a cave for an extended period of time. After leaving her cave, Susanoo was punished by Amaterasu by being banished from Heaven.
Other Major Deities
Inari Okami
Statue of a fox, created in Inari's honor
Inari Okami, also sometimes referred as Oinari, is chiefly the deity of fertility and agriculture, but is also the deity of rice, foxes and industry. Depicted in male, female, and androgynous forms, the true gender of Inari is unknown, however the most popular representation of Inari is one of a young female goddess. She is largely associated with foxes and because of her association with this animal, some believe that she is a fox, although whether or not this is true still remains unclear.
The origin of Inari is another aspect of her that is shrouded in mystery. The first temple built in her honor dates as far back as to 711 AD, though worship of Inari did not spread through Japan until during the Edo period. The specific details of how Inari came to be are also relatively unknown. Nevertheless, Inari is one of the most celebrated and popular of all Japanese deities. In addition to her previously mentioned accolades, she is also considered the patron of blacksmiths and actors, protector of warriors, and linked to good health, luck, and a long life.
The origin of Inari is another aspect of her that is shrouded in mystery. The first temple built in her honor dates as far back as to 711 AD, though worship of Inari did not spread through Japan until during the Edo period. The specific details of how Inari came to be are also relatively unknown. Nevertheless, Inari is one of the most celebrated and popular of all Japanese deities. In addition to her previously mentioned accolades, she is also considered the patron of blacksmiths and actors, protector of warriors, and linked to good health, luck, and a long life.
Tenjin
Sugawara no Michizane
Although Tenjin in Japanese means 'sky deity,' Tenjin is not the god of the sky. Instead, he is the god of scholarship and learning. The history behind Tenjin's creation is a very unique one. He was not born a god; but rather, he is the deification of a man named Sugawara no Michizane, who was once a poet, scholar, and politician in Japan. Sugawara was a bright man and rose high up into the ranks of government until he fell victim to the plots of a rival, a member from the Fujiwara family, and was demoted and exiled. Shortly later in 903, he died. After his death, the capital city of Japan was struck with a horrible storm. There was flooding caused by the torrential rain and fires created by the lightning. Many people died, of which included some Fujiwara leaders. Subsequently thereafter, the emperor decided that the cause of the storm was Sugawara's angry spirit and in order to placate the spirit, he restored all of Sugawara's titles, burned the order of exile, and ordered all to worship Sugawara under the title of Tenjin.
