Kami Characters “Amaterasu”

”Kami” is a Japanese word referring to gods, spirits, and sacred presences in Japanese belief. The unit used to count Kami is “Hashira.”

(天照大御神 / AmaterasuōMikami)

• Gender: Female

• Classification: Heavenly Kami (Amatsukami)

• Dwelling Place: Takamagahara (the High Plain of Heaven)

• Parent: Father – Izanakinokami

• Siblings:

•Takehayasusanoonomikoto

• Tsukuyominomikoto

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First Appearance in the Kojiki

After escaping from Yomi, the land of the dead,

Izanakinokami purified himself through a ritual cleansing.

During this purification, AmaterasuōMikami was born from his left eye.

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Main Episodes

• She is commanded by her father to rule the heavens.

• She has a fierce conflict with her younger brother, Takehayasusanoonomikoto.

• She withdraws and hides herself.

• Seeing the prosperity of the earthly world, she decides to claim it as well and sends her grandchild to rule it.

• She is the divine ancestor of Japan’s Imperial family and of the first emperor, Emperor Jinmu.

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References

• Jinja Honcho Official Website: Japanese Mythology

• Other academic and historical sources

Divine Name Reference

• Kokugakuin University Official Website: Database of Shinto Kami

Kami on this site were character-designed and illustrated by Tokura Kura. Since the Kojiki contains no descriptions or illustrations of Kami’s physical appearances, they are depicted based on imagination.