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Japan, Shinto
Japan, Shinto
==Alternate Names / Spellings==


==Presides Over==
==Presides Over==


The sun and the heavenly fields of rice.
The sun.
 
==Personal Symbols==


==Earth Mythological References==
==Earth Mythological References==


Amaterasu, the powerful sun goddess of Japan, is the most well-known deity of Japanese mythology.  She was created from the left eye of the deity Izanagi, during a bathing purification following his escape from the dark realm of Yomi.  From his right eye came the incarnation of the moon (Tukuyomi) and from his nose came the incarnation of wind or storm (Susanowo).  The world was then divided among the three with Amaterasu Amaterasu inheriting the heavens, Tsukiyomi taking control of the night and moon, and the storm god Susanowo owning the seas.
Amaterasu, the powerful sun goddess of Japan, is the most well-known deity of Japanese mythology.  She was created from the left eye of the Creator deity, Izanagi.  From his right eye came the incarnation of the moon (Tsukiyomi) and from his nose came the incarnation of wind or storm (Susanowo).  The world was then divided among the three with Amaterasu inheriting the heavens, Tsukiyomi the night and moon, and the storm god Susanowo ruling the seas.


Amaterasu brother, Susanawo, was troublesome and uncontrollable.  One story tells of Susanowo's banishment to Yomi by Izanagi. Susanowo grudgingly acquiesced but had unfinished business to attend to first. He went to Takamanohara (heaven) to bid farewell to his sister, Amaterasu. Amaterasu knew her unpredictable brother did not have any good intentions in mind and prepared for battle. "What purpose do you come here for?" asked Amaterasu. "To say farewell," answered Susanowo.
Legend says that Susanowo, was troublesome and uncontrollable and was banished to the dark realm Yomi by their father, Izanagi. Before leaving, however, he went to Takamanohara (heaven) to bid farewell to his sister, Amaterasu. Amaterasu suspected his intentions were bad and prepared for battle.  


But she did not believe his word and requested a contest for proof of his good faith. A challenge was set as to who would bring forth the more noble divine child. Amaterasu made three women from Susanowo's sword, while Susanowo made five men from Amaterasu's ornament chain. Amaterasu claimed the title to the five men made from her belongings. Therefore, the three women were attributed to Susanowo.
Susanowo explained his purpose was only to say good-bye, but she did not believe him and requested a contest for proof of his good faith. A challenge was set as to who would bring forth the more noble divine child. Amaterasu made three women from Susanowo's sword, while Susanowo made five very powerful gods from Amaterasu's ornament chain. Amaterasu claimed the title to the five male gods attributing their great power to the fact they were made from her belongings.  


Suffice to say, both gods declared they were victors. Amaterasu's insistence in her claim drove Susanowo to violent campaigns that reached its climax when he hurled a half-flayed pony--an animal sacred to Amaterasu--into Amaterasu's weaving hall causing the death of one of her attendants. Amaterasu fled and hid into the cave called the Iwayado. As the incarnation of the sun disappeared into the cave, darkness covered the world.
Amaterasu's insistence in her claim of victory enraged Susanowo and drove him to violent campaigns.  The battle between these two reached its climax when Susanowo hurled a half-flayed pony--an animal sacred to Amaterasu--into Amaterasu's weaving hall destroying her palace and causing the death of one of her attendants. She fled and hid into the cave called the Iwayado. With Amaterasu's incarnation of the sun disappearing into the cave, darkness covered the world.


All the gods and goddesses in turn tried to coax Amaterasu out of the cave, but she refused them all. Finally, the kami of merriment, Ama-no-Uzume, hatched a plan. She placed a large bronze mirror on a tree, facing Amaterasu's cave. Then Uzume clothed herself in flowers and leaves and overturned a washtub, and began to dance on it, drumming the tub with her feet. Finally, Uzume shed the leaves and flowers and danced naked. All the male gods roared with laughter, and Amaterasu became curious. When she peeked outside from her long stay in the dark, a ray of light called "dawn" escaped and Amaterasu was dazzled by her own reflection in the mirror. The god Ameno-Tajikarawo pulled her from the cave and it was sealed with a holy shirukume rope. Surrounded by the merriment, Amaterasu's depression disappeared and she agreed to return her light to the world. Uzume was from then on known as the kami of dawn as well as mirth.
All the gods and goddesses tried to coax Amaterasu out of the cave, but she refused. Seeing this, the kami of merriment, Ama-no-Uzume, placed a large bronze mirror on a tree, facing Amaterasu's cave. Then Uzume clothed herself in flowers and leaves and overturned a washtub, and began to dance on it, drumming the tub with her feet. Eventually, Uzume shed the leaves and flowers and danced naked. All the male gods roared with laughter, and Amaterasu became curious. When she took a look outside, a ray of light called "dawn" escapedAmaterasu was dazzled by her own reflection in the mirror. The god Ameno-Tajikarawo pulled her from the cave and it was sealed with a holy shirukume rope. Caught up in the happiness and good feelings, Amaterasu's depression lifted and she agreed to return her light to the world.


==Stargate References==
==Stargate References==


Amaterasu makes her first appearance as part of a Goa'uld delegation, including Lord Yu and Camulus.  They are seeking an alliance with the Tau'ri against Baal who has seized control of Anubis' base and Kull Warriors following Anubis' defeat and has gained a great deal of power.
Amaterasu made her first appearance as part of a Goa'uld delegation, including Lord Yu and Camulus.  They were seeking an alliance with the Tau'ri against Ba'al who had seized control of Anubis's base and Kull Warriors following Anubis's defeat and had gained a great deal of power. (8.01 "New Order Part 1")


Clearly seeking the weapon used to defeat Anubis for themselves, the Goa'uld try to bluff and threaten their way into securing Dr. Weir and the SGC's cooperation.  Thanks to Daniel's counsel, however, there is not much Amaterasu or her companions can do to persuade the Tau'ri to ally themselves with these double-dealing snakes.  
Clearly seeking the weapon in Antarctica used to defeat Anubis for themselves, the Goa'uld tried to bluff and threaten their way into securing Dr. Elizabeth Weir and the SGC's cooperation.  Thanks to Daniel Jackson's counsel, however, there was not much Amaterasu or her companions could do to persuade the Tau'ri to ally themselves with these double-dealing snakes. (8.01 "New Order Part 1" and 8.02 "New Order Part 2")


While Camulus seeks and is granted asylum with the Tau'ri, Amaterasu and Lord Yu leave empty-handed.
While Camulus sought and was granted asylum with the Tau'ri, Amaterasu and Lord Yu left empty-handed and at the mercy of Ba'al's growing forces. Amaterasu's ships were eventually taken over by the Replicators right before they were annihilated in the battle over Dakara, but Amaterasu's own fate was not revealed. (8.02 "New Order Part 2", 8.16 "Reckoning Part 1", 8.17 "Reckoning Part 2")


==Episodes==
==Episodes==
Line 37: Line 32:
* [[8.01 "New Order Part 1" Episode Guide|8.01 "New Order Part 1"]]
* [[8.01 "New Order Part 1" Episode Guide|8.01 "New Order Part 1"]]
* [[8.02 "New Order Part 2" Episode Guide|8.02 "New Order Part 2"]]
* [[8.02 "New Order Part 2" Episode Guide|8.02 "New Order Part 2"]]
* [[8.16 "Reckoning Part 1" Episode Guide|8.16 "Reckoning Part 1"]]
* [[8.17 "Reckoning Part 2" Episode Guide|8.17 "Reckoning Part 2"]]


==Related Characters==
==Related Characters==
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* [[Daniel Jackson|Dr. Daniel Jackson]]
* [[Daniel Jackson|Dr. Daniel Jackson]]
* [[Elizabeth Weir|Dr. Elizabeth Weir]]
* [[Elizabeth Weir|Dr. Elizabeth Weir]]
* [[Anubis]]
* [[Ba'al]]
* [[Camulus]]
* [[Camulus]]
* [[Yu]]
* [[Yu]]


==Related Articles==
==Related Articles==
* [[Antarctic Outpost]]
* [[Dakara]]
* [[Goa'uld]]
* [[Kull Warrior]]
* [[Replicators]]
* [[Tau'ri]]


==Further Reading==
==Further Reading==


Work in Progress
* [http://www.lyricalworks.com/stories/amaterasu/amaterasu.htm Amaterasu: Out of the Cave and into the Light]
* [http://www.purgingtalon.com/nlm/worldmyth/japanese.htm Japanese Mythology]


==Actor==
==Actor==
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--[[User:DeeKayP|DeeKayP]] 18:09, 10 Jul 2004 (PDT)
--[[User:mellenbal|Marcia]] 18:09, 10 Jul 2004 (PDT)

Latest revision as of 14:37, 15 April 2006

System Lord Amaterasu

Earth Culture of Origin

Japan, Shinto

Presides Over

The sun.

Earth Mythological References

Amaterasu, the powerful sun goddess of Japan, is the most well-known deity of Japanese mythology. She was created from the left eye of the Creator deity, Izanagi. From his right eye came the incarnation of the moon (Tsukiyomi) and from his nose came the incarnation of wind or storm (Susanowo). The world was then divided among the three with Amaterasu inheriting the heavens, Tsukiyomi the night and moon, and the storm god Susanowo ruling the seas.

Legend says that Susanowo, was troublesome and uncontrollable and was banished to the dark realm Yomi by their father, Izanagi. Before leaving, however, he went to Takamanohara (heaven) to bid farewell to his sister, Amaterasu. Amaterasu suspected his intentions were bad and prepared for battle.

Susanowo explained his purpose was only to say good-bye, but she did not believe him and requested a contest for proof of his good faith. A challenge was set as to who would bring forth the more noble divine child. Amaterasu made three women from Susanowo's sword, while Susanowo made five very powerful gods from Amaterasu's ornament chain. Amaterasu claimed the title to the five male gods attributing their great power to the fact they were made from her belongings.

Amaterasu's insistence in her claim of victory enraged Susanowo and drove him to violent campaigns. The battle between these two reached its climax when Susanowo hurled a half-flayed pony--an animal sacred to Amaterasu--into Amaterasu's weaving hall destroying her palace and causing the death of one of her attendants. She fled and hid into the cave called the Iwayado. With Amaterasu's incarnation of the sun disappearing into the cave, darkness covered the world.

All the gods and goddesses tried to coax Amaterasu out of the cave, but she refused. Seeing this, the kami of merriment, Ama-no-Uzume, placed a large bronze mirror on a tree, facing Amaterasu's cave. Then Uzume clothed herself in flowers and leaves and overturned a washtub, and began to dance on it, drumming the tub with her feet. Eventually, Uzume shed the leaves and flowers and danced naked. All the male gods roared with laughter, and Amaterasu became curious. When she took a look outside, a ray of light called "dawn" escaped. Amaterasu was dazzled by her own reflection in the mirror. The god Ameno-Tajikarawo pulled her from the cave and it was sealed with a holy shirukume rope. Caught up in the happiness and good feelings, Amaterasu's depression lifted and she agreed to return her light to the world.

Stargate References

Amaterasu made her first appearance as part of a Goa'uld delegation, including Lord Yu and Camulus. They were seeking an alliance with the Tau'ri against Ba'al who had seized control of Anubis's base and Kull Warriors following Anubis's defeat and had gained a great deal of power. (8.01 "New Order Part 1")

Clearly seeking the weapon in Antarctica used to defeat Anubis for themselves, the Goa'uld tried to bluff and threaten their way into securing Dr. Elizabeth Weir and the SGC's cooperation. Thanks to Daniel Jackson's counsel, however, there was not much Amaterasu or her companions could do to persuade the Tau'ri to ally themselves with these double-dealing snakes. (8.01 "New Order Part 1" and 8.02 "New Order Part 2")

While Camulus sought and was granted asylum with the Tau'ri, Amaterasu and Lord Yu left empty-handed and at the mercy of Ba'al's growing forces. Amaterasu's ships were eventually taken over by the Replicators right before they were annihilated in the battle over Dakara, but Amaterasu's own fate was not revealed. (8.02 "New Order Part 2", 8.16 "Reckoning Part 1", 8.17 "Reckoning Part 2")

Episodes

Related Characters

Related Articles

Further Reading

Actor


--Marcia 18:09, 10 Jul 2004 (PDT)