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Encyclopedia of Religion entry forAmaterasuOne of the defties of the ancient religion of Japan known as Shintoism (q.v.). Amaterasu, the sun-goddess, is supposed to have been born from the left eye of Izanagi, the Creator. From her was descended Jimmu Tenno, the first human ruler of Japan, according to the Japanese, who ascended the throne on the seventh of April, 660 B.C. She is really a personification of the sun, which is symbolized by the mirror which figures as one of the chief emblems of Shintoism. Her shrine in Ise to which pilgrimages are made is called the Mecca of Japan. See G. A. Cobbold, Religion in Japan, 1894; D. Goh and Isabella Bishop, " Shintoism," in R.S.W. citations: Encyc. of Rel., Canney
article created 2006-04-12 , last updated 2006-04-12 |
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