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{{Short description|Collective name for the first Shinto gods after the creation of the universe}}
{{Unreferenced|date=December 2009}}
{{Refimprove|date=March 2017}}
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In [[Japan]]ese [[Shinto]], '''Kotoamatsukami''' ([[wiktionary:別天津神|別天津神]], literally means "distinguishing heavenly [[kami]]") is the collective name for the first gods which came into existence at the time of the creation of the universe. They were born in [[Takamagahara]], the world of Heaven at the time of the creation. Unlike the later gods, these deities were born without any procreation. The three deities that first appeared were:
[[File:Japanese Primordial Deities-en.svg|frame]]
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* [[Amenominakanushi]] (天之御中主神) - Central Master
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In [[Shinto]], {{Nihongo||別天神|'''Kotoamatsukami'''|extra=literally "distinguishing heavenly ''[[kami]]''"}} is the collective name for the first gods which came into existence at the time of the [[Japanese creation myth|creation]] of the [[universe]]. They were born in [[Takamagahara]], the world of Heaven at the time of the creation. Unlike the later gods, these deities were born without any procreation.
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* [[Takamimusubi]] (高御産巣日神) - High Creator

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* [[Kamimusubi]] (神産巣日神) - Divine Creator
The three deities that first appeared were:
⚫
*{{Nihongo|[[Amenominakanushi]]|天之御中主神}} - Central Master
⚫
*{{Nihongo|[[Takamimusubi]]|高御産巣日神}} - High Creator
⚫
*{{Nihongo|[[Kamimusubi]]|神産巣日神}} - Divine Creator
A bit later, two more deities came into existence:
A bit later, two more deities came into existence:
* [[Umashiashikabihikoji]] (宇摩志阿斯訶備比古遅神) - Energy
*{{Nihongo|[[:ja:ウマシアシカビヒコヂ|Umashiashikabihikoji]]|宇摩志阿斯訶備比古遅神}}<ref name=“Umashiashikabihikoji”>[https://www.japanese-wiki-corpus.org/Shinto/Umashiashikabihikoji.html Umashiashikabihikoji]. Japanese Wiki (Corpus).</ref> - Energy
*{{Nihongo|[[:ja:天之常立神|Amenotokotachi]]|天之常立神}}<ref name=“Amenotokotachi”> [https://www.japanese-wiki-corpus.org/Shinto/Amenotokotachi%20no%20Kami.html Amenotokotachi]. Japanese Wiki (Corpus).</ref> - Heaven
* [[Amenotokotachi]] (天之常立神) - Heaven
The next generation of gods that followed was the [[Kamiyonanayo]], which included [[Izanagi|Izanagi-no-Mikoto]] and [[Izanami-no-Mikoto]], the patriarch and matriarch of all other Japanese gods, respectively. Afterward, the Kotoamatsukami "hiddes away".
The next generation of gods that followed was the [[Kamiyonanayo]], which included [[Izanagi|Izanagi-no-Mikoto]] and [[Izanami-no-Mikoto]], the patriarch and matriarch of all other Japanese gods, respectively. Afterward, the Kotoamatsukami "hides away" as ''[[hitorigami]]''.<ref>''[[Kojiki]]'', First volume</ref>


Though the Zōkasanshin (three deity of creation) are thought to be genderless, another theory stated Kamimusuhi was the woman and Takamimusubi the man, comparing them with water and fire or with yin and yang.
Though the Zōkasanshin (three deity of creation) are thought to be genderless, another theory stated Kamimusuhi was the woman and Takamimusubi the man, comparing them with water and fire or with [[yin and yang]].


The theologian [[Hirata Atsutane]] identified Amenominakanushi as the spirit of the [[North Star]], master of the seven stars of the [[Big Dipper]].<ref name="Amenominakanushi">[http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/entry.php?entryID=38 Amenominakanushi]. Encyclopedia of Shinto.</ref>
Some theories also regard Ame-no-Minaka-Nushi as the source of all creation or as the God of the Big Dipper.


Strangely, Takamimusubi latter reappeared together with Amaterasu as one of the central gods in Takamagahara, and his daughter was the mother of the god Ninigi-no-Mikoto. He also played important roles in the events of the founding of Japan, such as selecting the gods who would tag along with Ninigi and sending the [[Yatagarasu]], the three legged solar crow, to help Emperor Jimmu, who in turn, greatly worshipped him by playing the role of medium priest taking Takami Musubi's identity, in the ceremonies before his Imperial Enthronement (Sokui). Later, Takami Musubi was worshiped by the [[Jingikan]] and considered the god of matchmaking (based on a pun with his name, "musubi" meaning "to join"). Some Japanese clans also claimed descent from this god, such as the Saeki clan, he is also an Imperial ancestor.
Strangely, Takamimusubi later reappeared together with [[Amaterasu]] as one of the central gods in Takamagahara, and his daughter was the mother of the god [[Ninigi-no-Mikoto]]. He also played important roles in the events of the founding of Japan, such as selecting the gods who would tag along with Ninigi and sending the [[Yatagarasu]], the three legged solar crow, to help [[Emperor Jimmu]], who in turn, greatly worshipped him by playing the role of medium priest taking Takami Musubi's identity, in the ceremonies before his [[Enthronement of the Japanese Emperor|Imperial Enthronement]]. Later, Takamimusubi was worshipped by the [[Jingi-kan]] and considered the god of matchmaking. Some Japanese clans also claimed descent from this god, such as the Saeki clan, he is also an Imperial ancestor.


As for Kamimusuhi no kami, he (or she) has strong ties with both the Amatsukami (heavenly gods) and the Kunitsukami (earthly gods) of Izumo mythology. Kamimusuhi is also said to have transformed the grains produced by the food goddess Ōgetsuhime (Ukemochi no kami) after she was slayed by Amaterasu's angered brother.
As for Kamimusuhi, he (or she) has strong ties with both the [[Amatsukami]] (heavenly gods) and the Kunitsukami (earthly gods) of Izumo mythology. Kamimusuhi is also said to have transformed the grains produced by the food goddess [[Uke Mochi|Ōgetsuhime]] (Ukemochi no kami) after she was slain by Amaterasu's angered brother.


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Japanese creation myth]]
** [[Creation myth]]
*[[Japanese mythology]]
*[[Japanese mythology]]

==Notes==
<references/>


{{Jmyth navbox long}}
{{Jmyth navbox long}}


[[Category:Creation myths]]
[[Category:Japanese deities]]
[[Category:Japanese deities]]
[[Category:Shinto kami]]
[[Category:Shinto kami]]
[[Category:Creation myths]]
[[Category:Amatsukami]]


{{Japan-myth-stub}}
{{Shinto-stub}}

Latest revision as of 11:33, 22 April 2024

In Shinto, Kotoamatsukami (別天神, literally "distinguishing heavenly kami") is the collective name for the first gods which came into existence at the time of the creation of the universe. They were born in Takamagahara, the world of Heaven at the time of the creation. Unlike the later gods, these deities were born without any procreation.

The three deities that first appeared were:

A bit later, two more deities came into existence:

The next generation of gods that followed was the Kamiyonanayo, which included Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto, the patriarch and matriarch of all other Japanese gods, respectively. Afterward, the Kotoamatsukami "hides away" as hitorigami.[3]

Though the Zōkasanshin (three deity of creation) are thought to be genderless, another theory stated Kamimusuhi was the woman and Takamimusubi the man, comparing them with water and fire or with yin and yang.

The theologian Hirata Atsutane identified Amenominakanushi as the spirit of the North Star, master of the seven stars of the Big Dipper.[4]

Strangely, Takamimusubi later reappeared together with Amaterasu as one of the central gods in Takamagahara, and his daughter was the mother of the god Ninigi-no-Mikoto. He also played important roles in the events of the founding of Japan, such as selecting the gods who would tag along with Ninigi and sending the Yatagarasu, the three legged solar crow, to help Emperor Jimmu, who in turn, greatly worshipped him by playing the role of medium priest taking Takami Musubi's identity, in the ceremonies before his Imperial Enthronement. Later, Takamimusubi was worshipped by the Jingi-kan and considered the god of matchmaking. Some Japanese clans also claimed descent from this god, such as the Saeki clan, he is also an Imperial ancestor.

As for Kamimusuhi, he (or she) has strong ties with both the Amatsukami (heavenly gods) and the Kunitsukami (earthly gods) of Izumo mythology. Kamimusuhi is also said to have transformed the grains produced by the food goddess Ōgetsuhime (Ukemochi no kami) after she was slain by Amaterasu's angered brother.

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Umashiashikabihikoji. Japanese Wiki (Corpus).
  2. ^ Amenotokotachi. Japanese Wiki (Corpus).
  3. ^ Kojiki, First volume
  4. ^ Amenominakanushi. Encyclopedia of Shinto.
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