Japanese mythology Japanese mythology is a collection of traditional stories, folktales, and beliefs that emerged in the islands of the Japanese archipelago. Shinto and Buddhist traditions are the cornerstones of Japanese mythology. The history of thousands of year ...

Amaterasu Amaterasu, also known as Amaterasu Ōmikami () or Ōhirume no Muchi no Kami (), is the goddess of the sun in Japanese mythology. One of the major deities (''kami'') of Shinto, she is also portrayed in Japan's earliest literary texts, the '' Koji ...

Emperor Jimmu was the legendary first emperor of Japan according to the '' Nihon Shoki'' and '' Kojiki''. His ascension is traditionally dated as 660 BC.Kelly, Charles F"Kofun Culture" The three sacred treasures brought with Ninigi from Heaven and divine ancestry established the Japanese Imperial Family. The three generations of ''kami'' starting with Ninigi are sometimes referred to as the three generations of Hyūga, they are said to represent a transitional period between the heavenly ''kami'' and the first emperor.

Name and etymology

Ninigi-no-Mikoto (瓊瓊杵尊), means "The Great God Ninigi." Another name of his is Ame-nigishi-kuni-nigishi-amatsuhiko-hiko-ho-no-ninigi-no-Mikoto (天邇岐志国邇岐志天津日高日子番能邇邇芸命) or "The Great God Ninigi, of the Imperial State, The Child of the Sun of Many Talents." Ninigi is speculated to be translated as "beloved jeweled mallet."

Myths

Birth

Ninigi was born from

Ame-no-oshihomimi Amenooshihomimi (天之忍穂耳命) or Oshihomimi for short, is the first son of Amaterasu. He is believed to be the ancestor to the Japanese imperial family. Name and Etymology Amenooshihomimi name means (Ruling Rice Ears of Heaven) he als ...

and Takuhadachiji-hime.

Takamimusubi Takamimusubi (高御産巣日神, lit. "High Creator") is a god of agriculture in Japanese mythology, who was the second of the first beings to come into existence. It is speculated that Takamimusubi was originally the tutelary deity for the Ja ...

, treated him with special affection, and nurtured him with great regard.

Sent to rule

Depending on the version Amaterasu sends Ninigi to rule either after his father refuses the offer, after several failures, or to replace

Ōkuninushi Ōkuninushi ( historical orthography: ''Ohokuninushi''), also known as Ō(a)namuchi (''Oho(a)namuchi'') or Ō(a)namochi (''Oho(a)namochi'') among other variants, is a ''kami'' in Japanese mythology. He is one of the central deities in the cycle ...

after his troubled rule. In many stories, Ninigi receives three gifts. The sword Kusanagi, the mirror

Yata no Kagami is a sacred bronze mirror that is part of the Imperial Regalia of Japan. Name and significance The represents "wisdom" or "honesty," depending on the source. Its name literally means "The Eight Mirror," a reference to its size. Mirrors in ...

, and the jewel Yasakani no Magatama.

Descent to earth

Ninigi's descent to earth appears in both the Nihon Shoki and the Kojiki. In a earlier version of the Nihon Shoki Ninigi descends to earth unaccompanied. But in a later version of the Nihon Shoki and the Kojiki, other gods accompany Ninigi’s journey to earth; who accompanies him and how many depends on the version. But it usually includes the following gods: Uzume, Sarutahiko, Ame-no-Koyane,

Futodama Futodama () is a god in Japanese mythology, claimed to be the ancestor of Imbe clan, whose characteristics are believed to reflect the functions of the clan as court ritualists. Name and etymology The god is known as Ame-no-Futodama-no-Mikoto ( ...

, Ishikori dome, and

Tamanoya Tamanoya is a kami from Japanese mythology. He is believed to be the creator of Yasakani no Magatama. Tama-no-iwaya is believed to be the grave for the kami, and he is venerated at Tamanooya-jinja but is not venerated at any kampeisha. Famil ...

; many of these deities would later become the ancestors of many clans like Sarume clan , Nakatomi clan, Shinabe clan, and

Inbe clan Imbe clan (also spelled Imibe clan or Inbe clan) was a Japanese clan during the Yamato period. They claimed descent from Futodama. The Inbe clan originally had a religious function by preparing and taking care of offerings. Overview As the n ...

. Ninigi tries to go to earth but he is blocked by Sarutahiko. Uzume then persuades Sarutahiko to let Ninigi pass. In most versions Ninigi descents to earth landing on to Mt. Takachiho located on the island of Kyushu in

Kagoshima Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyushu and the Ryukyu Islands. Kagoshima Prefecture has a population of 1,599,779 (1 January 2020) and has a geographic area of 9,187 km2 (3,547 sq mi). Kagoshima Prefecture borders Kumamoto Pre ...

where Ninigi built his palace there.

Loss of immortality

One story involves Ninigi looking for a wife; he meets this mountain god named Oyamatsumi, Oho-Yama presents Ninigi his two daughters Konohana and Iwa-Naga. However, Ninigi rejects Iwa-Naga for her looks and is cursed for rejecting Iwa-Naga. Now he and his descendants will live shorter lives.

Birth of Ninigi’s children

Soon after Ninigi and Konohanasakuya-hime got married, Konohanasakuya-hime got pregnant. Ninigi accused his wife of adultery. In many versions his wife decided to went in to a hut and set the hut on fire to prove that she was a faithful wife. Konohanasakuya-hime and her sons survived, she gave birth to three sons named Hoderi, Hoori, and Hosuseri. One variation says that Konohanasakuya-hime gave birth to Hoderi in the hut and had the other two children later.

Death

Later on, Ninigi died and got buried at E no Goriyo.

Family

Many versions have

Amaterasu Amaterasu, also known as Amaterasu Ōmikami () or Ōhirume no Muchi no Kami (), is the goddess of the sun in Japanese mythology. One of the major deities (''kami'') of Shinto, she is also portrayed in Japan's earliest literary texts, the '' Koji ...

and

Takamimusubi Takamimusubi (高御産巣日神, lit. "High Creator") is a god of agriculture in Japanese mythology, who was the second of the first beings to come into existence. It is speculated that Takamimusubi was originally the tutelary deity for the Ja ...

as Ninigi's grandparents, and the son of

Ame-no-oshihomimi Amenooshihomimi (天之忍穂耳命) or Oshihomimi for short, is the first son of Amaterasu. He is believed to be the ancestor to the Japanese imperial family. Name and Etymology Amenooshihomimi name means (Ruling Rice Ears of Heaven) he als ...

and as his parents. Ninigi is said to be the nephew to Futotama and Ame-no-Koyane. Ninigi is in the

Three generations of Hyuga 3 is a number, numeral, and glyph. 3, three, or III may also refer to: * AD 3, the third year of the AD era * 3 BC, the third year before the AD era * March, the third month Books * '' Three of Them'' (Russian: ', literally, "three"), a 1901 ...

a time period between Tenson kōrin and

Jimmu's Eastern Expedition refers to a series of stories in which Emperor Jimmu became emperor of Japan for the first time (Emperor Jimmu) after defeating Nagasunehiko, who had ruled the Nara Basin and its surrounding area, after leaving Hyuga Province. Overview ...

.

Children

Most stories state that Ninigi had three sons Hoderi, Hosuseri, and

Hoori , also known as , is a figure in Japanese mythology, the third and youngest son of and the blossom princess . He is one of the ancestors of the Emperors of Japan as the grandfather of Emperor Jimmu. He is also known as . Mythology Hoori's leg ...

. However, other ancient Japanese texts say that he had four sons and lists "Hikohohodemi no mikoto" as the fourth child of Ninigi. However, it isn’t clear if Hikohohodemi is a fourth child or another name of

Hoori , also known as , is a figure in Japanese mythology, the third and youngest son of and the blossom princess . He is one of the ancestors of the Emperors of Japan as the grandfather of Emperor Jimmu. He is also known as . Mythology Hoori's leg ...

. According to Nihongi, Tamanoya is a offspring of Ninigi.

Worship of Ninigi

Shrines

Ninigi has very few temples where he is enshrined. Shrines like

Amatsu Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the Ichinomiya neighborhood of the city of Itoigawa, Niigata.Kotodamaya.com "Amatsu Jinja" retrieved 2012-10-24. It is one of the three shrines claiming the title of ''ichinomiya'' of former Echigo Province. The ma ...

and Kirishima-jingu Shrine are dedicated to Ninigi. At Ise shrine, Ninigi is said to be worshipped with Kunitokotachi.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ninigi-No-Mikoto Japanese gods Shinto kami