Amaterasu is a sun goddess of the Shinto religion. It is believed that Amaterasu sent her grandson Jimmu to Earth 3,000 years ago to be the first ruler of Japan, beginning the divine family of Japanese emperors.
Amaterasu was given rule over the sky by Izangi when he handed to her his holy necklace.
Later, in a competition with her brother Susano, Amaterasu gave birth to three goddesses, who with Susano's offspring, are collectively the ancestors of Jimmu.
During this competition, Amaterasu was unwilling to admit defeat. This caused Susano to furiously wreak havoc throughout the heavens and the Earth. Amaterasu fled into a cave, and her absence caused darkness throughout Japan.
Amaterasu's absence caused much dismay on Earth. As the crops died off and the people suffered, the gods decided they needed to return Amaterasu to her position in the heavens. They sought the help of several dieties, and performed ritualis and sacrifieces outside of Amaterasu's cave. They also hung a mirror from a tree outside of the cave.
Hearing all the commotion, Amaterasu came forth and asked why the gods seemed to be rejoicing. They replied that they had found a new mistress who would be the sun goddess' replacement. Amaterasu came forth in curiosity, and peeked out of her cave. She immediately saw the mirror and was drawn to it. Having never seen her own reflection, Amaterasu thought she was looking at her majestic replacement. As she stepped forward to examine it, she was caught by one god and the cave was blocked by another. Amaterasu's presence illuminated the fields and life returned to Japan's land.
Luke's Summary:
Amatersasu is the story of how Amaterasu the sun goddess and a battle with her bother Susano who forces her to admit defeat. In which Sasano goes on and messes up the heavens and earth in which Amaterasu goes into hiding. In which is earth gets winter because she goes into hiding from Susano. Then everyone start doing all this stuff to get her to come out of the cave and it works. After that life goes back to normal.
What the myth is used for today: In today the myth is used for in video games such as the champion Ahri which is to be model after Amaterasu. On top of that in Japan has used Amaterasu,Susano,Izangi, and Izanami among other god names in the anime Naruto which the Uchiha clan uses visual jutsu that is named after the Japanese gods. Now days the Amaterasu and the Shinto is making more of a influence in the Japanese government. Members of the Shinto Seiji Renmei (officially, the Shinto Association of Spiritual Leadership) have been pushing for education reform which they are pushing to include the teachings of all the reigns of the world. This myth is always going to passed on to the kids of japan since it is myth that is still worshiped.
Amaterasu was given rule over the sky by Izangi when he handed to her his holy necklace.
Later, in a competition with her brother Susano, Amaterasu gave birth to three goddesses, who with Susano's offspring, are collectively the ancestors of Jimmu.
During this competition, Amaterasu was unwilling to admit defeat. This caused Susano to furiously wreak havoc throughout the heavens and the Earth. Amaterasu fled into a cave, and her absence caused darkness throughout Japan.
Amaterasu's absence caused much dismay on Earth. As the crops died off and the people suffered, the gods decided they needed to return Amaterasu to her position in the heavens. They sought the help of several dieties, and performed ritualis and sacrifieces outside of Amaterasu's cave. They also hung a mirror from a tree outside of the cave.
Hearing all the commotion, Amaterasu came forth and asked why the gods seemed to be rejoicing. They replied that they had found a new mistress who would be the sun goddess' replacement. Amaterasu came forth in curiosity, and peeked out of her cave. She immediately saw the mirror and was drawn to it. Having never seen her own reflection, Amaterasu thought she was looking at her majestic replacement. As she stepped forward to examine it, she was caught by one god and the cave was blocked by another. Amaterasu's presence illuminated the fields and life returned to Japan's land.
Luke's Summary:
Amatersasu is the story of how Amaterasu the sun goddess and a battle with her bother Susano who forces her to admit defeat. In which Sasano goes on and messes up the heavens and earth in which Amaterasu goes into hiding. In which is earth gets winter because she goes into hiding from Susano. Then everyone start doing all this stuff to get her to come out of the cave and it works. After that life goes back to normal.
What the myth is used for today: In today the myth is used for in video games such as the champion Ahri which is to be model after Amaterasu. On top of that in Japan has used Amaterasu,Susano,Izangi, and Izanami among other god names in the anime Naruto which the Uchiha clan uses visual jutsu that is named after the Japanese gods. Now days the Amaterasu and the Shinto is making more of a influence in the Japanese government. Members of the Shinto Seiji Renmei (officially, the Shinto Association of Spiritual Leadership) have been pushing for education reform which they are pushing to include the teachings of all the reigns of the world. This myth is always going to passed on to the kids of japan since it is myth that is still worshiped.
"Back to the Future: Shinto's Growing Influence in Politics | The Japan Times." Japan Times RSS. 23 Nov. 2013. Web. 16 Apr. 2015. <http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/11/23/national/politics-diplomacy/back-to-the-future-shintos-growing-influence-in-politics/#.VS_ymCFVhBc>.
Random Funny, Cool and Interesting Sh!t." Izanagi Jutsu. Web. 16 Apr. 2015. <http://interstellargateway.blogspot.com/2010/01/izanagi-jutsu-sharingan-uchiha.html>.
"Amaterasu - Japanese Mythology." Ancient-Mythology.com. Web. 16 Apr. 2015. <http://www.ancient-mythology.com/japanese/amaterasu.php>.
Random Funny, Cool and Interesting Sh!t." Izanagi Jutsu. Web. 16 Apr. 2015. <http://interstellargateway.blogspot.com/2010/01/izanagi-jutsu-sharingan-uchiha.html>.
"Amaterasu - Japanese Mythology." Ancient-Mythology.com. Web. 16 Apr. 2015. <http://www.ancient-mythology.com/japanese/amaterasu.php>.