“Did you hear about the goddess who hid in a cave?” That’s how many tales of Amaterasu Omikami begin. Here we stand before the Ten照大神宮常夜燈. It is a silent witness to stories of light and darkness.
The 天照大神宮常夜燈’s existence is bound to Amaterasu Omikami. She is known as the Great Divinity Illuminating Heaven. Amaterasu is the sun goddess. She is the most important deity in the Shinto religion.
According to ancient texts the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, Amaterasu was born when Izanagi washed his left eye. This happened during a purification ritual. This followed his journey to the underworld. She became the ruler of Takama no Hara. It is the High Celestial Plain. It is the domain of the kami spirits.
One prominent myth tells of a quarrel between Amaterasu and her brother Susanoo. He surprised her with a flayed horse while she was weaving. Angered, Amaterasu hid in a cave. Darkness then fell upon the world. Evil spirits roamed freely.
The gods tried to coax her out. They placed cocks outside to mimic dawn. They decorated a sakaki tree with jewels, clothes and a mirror. The goddess Amenouzume danced wildly. The gods laughed. Amaterasu peeked out. She saw her reflection. Ame-no-tajikara-wo pulled her out. Light returned.
Amaterasu’s influence stretches far. The Ise Grand Shrine is dedicated to her. It is Shinto’s most important shrine. Emperors claimed descent from her. This granted them divine authority.
Amaterasu is often depicted as benevolent. She is sometimes shown with her brother Tsukiyomi-no-Mikoto. Cocks and ravens are associated with her. They are symbols of the sun and messengers of the goddess.
The 天照大神宮常夜燈 here reminds us of Amaterasu. It stands as a symbol of hope. It embodies the enduring power of light over darkness. It serves as a reminder of the goddess who brought light back to the world. Its presence connects us to ancient myths. It links us to the heart of Shinto beliefs. As we continue our tour, let us carry the spirit of Amaterasu. May her light illuminate our path.