Amaterasu-omikami

Title: "Portrait of Amaterasu Omikami" (Oil on Canvas, F10 size, 530x455mm) Unframed

Description: "Amaterasu Omikami" is the supreme deity appearing in the myths recorded in the "Nihon Shoki" and "Kojiki." This deity is characterized as a sun goddess, an ancestor of the imperial family, and possessing a shamanistic nature. Her father, "Izanagi no Mikoto," attempted to retrieve his wife "Izanami no Mikoto" from the "Land of Yomi" after her death but failed, resulting in his body becoming impure. To purify himself, "Izanagi no Mikoto" performed a ritual cleansing. When he washed his left eye, "Amaterasu Omikami" was born; when he washed his right eye, "Tsukuyomi no Mikoto" was born; and when he washed his nose, "Susanoo no Mikoto" was born.

"Izanagi no Mikoto" entrusted "Amaterasu Omikami" with the governance of "Takama-ga-hara," the heavenly realm, as a being that illuminates the world, and "Susanoo no Mikoto," the god of the sea and storms, with the governance of the seas. "Susanoo no Mikoto" cried out wanting to go to the land of his mother "Izanami no Mikoto," causing rivers and mountains to dry up, evil gods to be born, and disasters to occur, leading to his banishment by "Izanagi no Mikoto." Before going to the land of roots, "Susanoo no Mikoto" ascended to "Takama-ga-hara" to meet his sister "Amaterasu Omikami," causing the mountains and rivers to tremble and all of "Takama-ga-hara" to shake. "Amaterasu Omikami," thinking her brother had come to seize "Takama-ga-hara," armed herself and awaited him.

To prove his innocence, "Susanoo no Mikoto" proposed using an ancient divination method called "ukei" to ascertain the divine will. "Amaterasu Omikami" interpreted the result as proof of her brother's innocence and allowed him entry into "Takama-ga-hara."

However, "Susanoo no Mikoto's" actions were violent and disrupted the peace of "Takama-ga-hara." Initially protected by "Amaterasu Omikami," she grew weary after the incident of the death of the weaving maiden and hid in the "Amano-Iwato," plunging the world into darkness and causing various calamities. Eight million gods gathered to discuss countermeasures but to no avail. The god of wisdom, "Omoikane no Kami," proposed holding a banquet, during which "Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto" performed a comical dance, causing the eight million gods to laugh loudly, echoing throughout "Takama-ga-hara." Curious about what was so amusing, "Amaterasu Omikami" peeked through the crevice of the rock door, and the god of strength, "Ame-no-Tajikarao-no-Mikoto," took the opportunity to open the rock door and bring "Amaterasu Omikami" out, restoring the sun's brilliance and the world's light. The eight million gods punished "Susanoo no Mikoto" by cutting his beard and nails and banishing him, restoring peace to "Takama-ga-hara."

This is the myth of "Amano-Iwato," a magnificent story symbolizing the origins of Japan. "Amaterasu Omikami" is enshrined in numerous shrines across Japan, most notably at "Ise Jingu." It is said that when a saint visits, the curtain in front of the shrine rises without wind, and to this day, there is a belief that "Amaterasu Omikami" continues to protect Japan.
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