In Japanese Shinto mythology, Amaterasu is the sun goddess and mother of Japan, grandmother of Jimmu Tenno, the first ruler of Japan. She is said to frown upon clothes not dried in the sun, and as such in Japan tumble-driers are very rare. Research Amaterasu
In Shinto mythology, Izanagi and Izanami are the central deities in the creation myth. They were descended from seven pairs of brothers and sisters who had appeared after heaven and earth had separated out of chaos. A mighty bridge floated between the heavens and the primeval oceans; standing on this,
Izanagi and Izanami stirred the waters below with a jewelled spear to form the first land mass. Their union gave birth to the islands of Japan and to various deities. In giving birth to the fire-god Kagutsuchi (or Homusubi), however, Izanami was fatally burnt and descended to the land of darkness, Yomi. When
Izanagi ventured into the underworld to seek his dead spouse, he found her alive but imprisoned in a decomposing body. Fleeing, Izanagi bathed in the sea to purify himself and in doing so gave birth to a number of deities, among them Amaterasu, the sun goddess, from his left eye, the moon-god Tsukumi from his right eye, and the storm god Susanowo from his nostrils. In Shinto religion, the purification practised in the harai ceremony commemorates
Izanagi's submersion in water. Research Izanagi
In Japanese mythology, Niniji was the grandson of Amaterasu, the sun. His task was to direct the suns rays from heaven to swell the celestial paddies which provided food for the gods. Research Ninigi
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Amaterasu
