celestial kami of Japanese mythology, ancestor of the Nakatomi clan

Ame-no-Koyane-no-mikoto

Ame-no-Koyane-no-mikoto is a male kami of Japanese mythology and Shinto, counted among the Amatsukami, the kami of heaven. He is the ancestral god of the Nakatomi clan, from which Fujiwara no Kamatari, founder of the powerful Fujiwara family, descended.

The myth

According to the Nihon Shoki, he was the first in charge of divine affairs, and for this reason he was made to perform the Greater Divination. Amaterasu entrusted him with guarding the sacred mirror, and at the Imperial Palace he was known as the "Imperial Aide", overseeing the palace's ritual affairs.

Mythic tradition credits him with a decisive role when Susanoo, the storm god, drove away Amaterasu, the sun goddess, who hid in the cave of Ama-no-Iwato and left the world in darkness. Ame-no-Koyane performed a ritual prayer that drew her out and brought light back to the world.

During the tenson kōrin, the descent of the gods to earth, he accompanied Ninigi as one of five gods who came down from heaven, becoming the ancestor of the Nakatomi clan. The sources differ on his parentage: the Kogo Shūi and the genealogy of Kashima Shrine make him a son of Kamimusubi, while the Nihon Shoki names Kogotomusubi as his father.

Worship and religion

He is worshipped at Hiraoka Shrine, Kasuga Grand Shrine, Ōharano Shrine and Yoshida Shrine, as well as at all Kasuga Shrines across Japan, and his veneration continues today.

Ancient sources: The Nihon Shoki gives him the role of first overseer of divine affairs, and the Kogo Shūi records his genealogy.