Read, reflect, pray
Kojiki: Amaterasu and Susanoo’s oath
Kojiki · Story 5 of 22
天照と須佐之男の誓約
Deities born from sword and jewels.
English translation of this site’s published story summary and reading notes. This is a selected reading guide, not a complete translation of the ancient chronicle.
Story summary
When Susanoo ascends to Takamagahara, Amaterasu fears he has come to seize her country. He replies that he has come to bid farewell. To test his intentions, they perform an ukehi across the heavenly river Yasu.
Amaterasu receives Susanoo’s sword, chews it, and breathes out Takirihime, Ichikishimahime, and Takitsuhime. Susanoo receives Amaterasu’s jewels and does likewise, bringing forth five male deities beginning with Amenooshihomimi.
Amaterasu assigns the children according to ownership of the objects from which they were born: the five male deities as her children, the three female deities as Susanoo’s. The narrative links the three female deities to Munakata worship and some male deities to clan genealogies.
Reading note
Here ukehi tests true intention through its outcome. The three goddesses’ places of enshrinement differ between the Kojiki and present-day Munakata Taisha; these are distinguished in their introductions.
Compare with the Nihon Shoki
Connected figures
Names and relationships in a chronicle may differ from later traditions. Each figure’s introduction identifies its sources.
Sources and edition (2)
English explanations on this page were prepared by Inori no Mori from the cited text and its Japanese explanations. They are not an official translation or a prescribed liturgy.