Amano-Iwato

Amaterasu emerges from the Heavenly Rock Cave, bringing sunlight back to the world (Triptych byKunisada)

Ama-no-Iwato(Thiên の nham hộ,literally "heaven's rock cave" )is acaveinJapanese mythology.According to theKojiki(Records of Ancient Matters) and theNihon Shoki,the bad behavior ofSusano'o,the Japanese god of storms, drove his sisterAmaterasuinto the Ama-no-Iwato cave. The land was thus deprived of light.

In order to get Amaterasu out of the cave, the other gods calledYao-yorozu-no-kamithrew a party outside with wisdom ofOmoikane.The goddessAme-no-Uzume-no-Mikotoperformed a lewd dance, eliciting laughter. Amaterasu grew curious about the source of amusement and peeked out of the cave entrance. She became fascinated by her own reflection in theYata no Kagamimirror which the other gods had crafted and hung before the cave for that purpose, and stood transfixed.Ame-no-Tajikaraothen forced the cave open and the world was bathed in light once again. As Amaterasu stepped out of the cave, a holy seal was applied to it so that she could never go back into hiding.

Higashihongu

The main shrine called Higashihongu (east hall) and a hall of worship called Nishihongu (west hall) face each other across the Iwato River gorge. The Ama-no-Iwato cave is an object of worship in festivals and is a rock cave on the other side of the Iwato River from Nishihongu. You can see the cave from Nishihongu after participating in a Shinto ritual for purification. Photography of any kind is prohibited.

The grounds contain many plants and old trees. There are also rare ancientginkgoandMagnolia compressatrees, which have been considered sacred in Japan since ancient times.

TheTakamagaharapantheon is thought to have gathered and discussed how to get Amaterasu out of the cave at this riverside, thiên an hà nguyên(Ama no Yasugawara),atAmanoiwato-jinjainTakachiho,Miyazaki Prefecture.

See also

• Harae
• Vala (Vedic)