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When the world was shrouded in darkness, how did the gods bring back the light?
“Amano-Iwato Biraki” (The Opening of the Heavenly Rock Cave) is one of the most famous episodes in Japanese mythology, recorded in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, Japan’s oldest historical texts.
In Takachiho, Miyazaki Prefecture, the sites associated with this myth still remain today. Knowing the story before your trip will make your visit much more meaningful.
This article introduces the story of Amano-Iwato, the roles of the gods involved, and the related sacred sites.
The Amano-Iwato myth tells the story of how the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami hid in a cave, plunging the world into darkness, and how the gods used their wisdom and ingenuity to bring back the light.
Here is a brief summary of the story:
The Kojiki, which records the Amano-Iwato myth, was completed in 712 CE and is Japan’s oldest historical text. The Nihon Shoki was completed in 720 CE as Japan’s first official chronicle. Both books record history from the mythological era.
Amaterasu Omikami is the goddess who rules the sun and, as the ancestral deity of the Imperial family, is one of the most important gods in Japan.
Amaterasu Omikami and Susanoo no Mikoto are siblings. Susanoo no Mikoto is known as a tempestuous god who controls storms, and he committed a series of misdeeds in Takamagahara (the High Plain of Heaven where the gods dwell).
According to the Kojiki, Susanoo no Mikoto committed the following misdeeds:
At first, Amaterasu Omikami defended her brother. “The excrement was probably vomit from being drunk,” “He filled the channels because he thought the land was precious,” she tried to interpret her brother’s actions charitably.
However, the final misdeed was irreparable. When the horse was thrown into the weaving hall, a startled weaver was fatally wounded by the shuttle (a weaving tool) she was holding.
Enraged, Amaterasu Omikami entered a cave called Amano-Iwato and shut the stone door, hiding herself inside.
With the sun goddess hidden, both Takamagahara and the earthly world (Ashihara no Nakatsukuni) were plunged into darkness. The world became a place of perpetual night, with no day ever coming.
With the world covered in darkness, the eight million troubled gods gathered at Amano-Yasukawara to discuss a solution.
Amano-Yasukawara is a cave about a 10-minute walk from Amano-Iwato Shrine, and it is still revered today as the place where the gods held their meeting.
The one who devised the plan to resolve this crisis was Omoikane no Kami, the god of wisdom. Omoikane no Kami has a name meaning “the god who possesses many thoughts” and is worshipped as a deity who solves problems with profound wisdom.
Rather than simply apologizing to Amaterasu Omikami, Omoikane’s strategy was to hold a grand festival outside the cave to pique Amaterasu Omikami’s curiosity.
Under Omoikane no Kami’s direction, each god took on their assigned role.
| God | Japanese Name | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Omoikane no Kami | 思金神 | God of wisdom. Planned the entire operation |
| Ishikoridome no Mikoto | 伊斯許理度売命 | Created the Yata no Kagami mirror |
| Tamanooya no Mikoto | 玉祖命 | Created the Yasakani no Magatama jewels |
| Amenokoyane no Mikoto | 天児屋命 | Recited ritual prayers (norito) |
| Futodama no Mikoto | 太玉命 | Held the mirror and jewels hung on a sakaki tree |
| Amenouzume no Mikoto | 天鈿女命 | Performed a divine possessed dance |
| Amenotajikarao no Mikoto | 天手力雄命 | Waited beside the cave and forced it open |
The gods also gathered roosters from Tokoyo (the eternal realm) and made them crow. Since roosters crow at dawn, they were believed to have the power to summon the sun.
With preparations complete, the ritual to bring Amaterasu Omikami out of the cave finally began.
Amenouzume no Mikoto, the goddess of performing arts, performed a divine possessed dance in front of the cave.
Amenouzume no Mikoto adorned herself with sakaki branches from Mount Amano-Kaguyama as a headdress, used hikage (a type of plant) as a sash, and danced while stamping on an overturned tub. Her dance was so intense that she stripped off her clothes until she was half-naked.
Watching this dance, the eight million gods burst into laughter that echoed throughout Takamagahara.
Inside the cave, Amaterasu Omikami became curious about the commotion outside.
“The world should be dark because I am hiding, so why is Amenouzume dancing and the gods laughing?”
When Amaterasu Omikami asked, Amenouzume no Mikoto answered:
“A god more noble than you has arrived, so we are all rejoicing.”
Unable to contain her curiosity, Amaterasu Omikami opened the cave slightly and peeked outside.
At that moment, the Yata no Kagami mirror that Futodama no Mikoto had hung on the sakaki tree reflected Amaterasu Omikami’s face. Not knowing that the beautiful figure in the mirror was herself, she thought it was “the noble god” and leaned out of the cave to see better.
At that instant, Amenotajikarao no Mikoto, who had been waiting beside the cave, grabbed Amaterasu Omikami’s hand and forcibly opened the cave. He then threw the stone door far away.
Futodama no Mikoto immediately stretched a shimenawa (sacred rope) and declared, “You can no longer return inside.”
Thus, when Amaterasu Omikami emerged from the cave, light returned to the world.
The Amano-Iwato myth is deeply rooted in modern Japanese culture.
The rope that Futodama no Mikoto stretched to prevent Amaterasu Omikami from returning to the cave is said to be the origin of shimenawa. The sacred ropes hung at shrine entrances and sacred places derive from this myth.
The dance performed by Amenouzume no Mikoto is said to be the beginning of kagura, ritual dances dedicated to the gods. Kagura performances at shrines throughout Japan today have their roots in this mythological dance.
Because the gods made roosters crow to summon the sun, the custom of keeping free-range roosters at shrines arose. Roosters are treasured as messengers of the gods.
The Amano-Iwato myth is interpreted as a story of overcoming difficulties through wisdom and cooperation to open a new era. This myth of bringing light back from darkness continues to be told as a symbol of rebirth from adversity and hope.
The sites that served as the setting for the Amano-Iwato myth still remain in Takachiho Town, Miyazaki Prefecture.
Amano-Iwato Shrine enshrines the Amano-Iwato cave where Amaterasu Omikami hid as its sacred object. There are two main halls, Nishi-Hongu and Higashi-Hongu, and at Nishi-Hongu, visitors can worship Amano-Iwato from a distance with a priest’s guidance.
Every autumn, the “Autumn Festival” is held, allowing visitors to experience the world of the myth.
Amano-Yasukawara, about a 10-minute walk from Amano-Iwato Shrine, is said to be where the eight million gods gathered to discuss their plan. Inside the cave are countless stacked stones, creating a mystical atmosphere.
On the grounds of Amano-Iwato Shrine stands a statue of Amenotajikarao no Mikoto, who forced open the cave. His powerful figure conveys a scene from the myth to this day.
The Amano-Iwato myth is a story of overcoming difficulties through wisdom and cooperation to bring light back to the world.
In Takachiho, Miyazaki Prefecture, sites like Amano-Iwato Shrine and Amano-Yasukawara, where this story took place, still remain, allowing you to experience the world of the myth.
When you visit Takachiho, we encourage you to walk while remembering the story of Amano-Iwato. The figures of the mythological characters will surely come to life before your eyes.
