by Adriana Disano

Created on: August 27, 2010

Japanese goddesses are elegant deities who largely represent the Shinto and Bhuddist traditions. Many traditions involving Japanese goddesses have carried on into the festivals and customs of modern-day Japan.

Amaterasu

Amaterasu is the Japanese god of the sun, and one of the principal deities, or kami, of the Shinto tradition. She was said to have been born from the left eye of Japanese god Izanagi. Amaterasu was a symbol of plenty as she is said to rule over both the sun and rice fields. She was also an avid weaver.

A classic Japanese tale tells of a time when Amaterasu's brother, Susanoh, killed one of Amaterasu's weaving maids and made her so furious that she hid in a cave, turning the entire world dark. All the gods tried to coax Amaterasu out of hiding, but none could until Ame-no-Uzume, the goddess of mirth, upturned a basin and began shedding her clothes on it, dancing. The raucous laughter of all the other gods made Amaterasu so curious that she ventured out of her cave. Ame-no-Uzume had been clever enough to place a mirror outside the cave, and Amaterasu was so fascinated with her own shining face that she was distracted while the other gods placed a holy rope, or shimenawa, over the entrance to the cave. Amaterasu then agreed to return to her home.

Ame-no-Uzume

Ame-no-Uzume is the Japanese god of mirth and fertility, and is commonly associated with drumming and dancing due to the part she played in coaxing Amaterasu out of her cave in the Shinto tale. In other tales, she frequently disrobes to the shock of other parties. She represents sensuality and humor, and is still worshiped today in Shinto rites.

Omoikane

Omoikane is the Japanese goddess of knowledge, whose name means “the deity who combines thoughts.” Omoikane is said to have been called upon by the kami during times of great deliberation. Omoikane is mentioned briefly during the Shinto tale of Amaterasu's hiding, when the gods call a meeting to find a way to bring Amaterasu's light back to the crops.

Benzaiten

Benzaiten is the Japanese name for the Hindu goddess Sarasvati. She is a goddess of good luck, longevity, rivers, and “all things that flow,” and thus she is a goddess of poetry, song, and the written word as well. She is associated with snakes, and snakes are said to be her messenger animal. Benzaiten is also one of the “Seven Lucky Gods of Japan,” and is the only female in the group. She is often depicted holding a Biwa, a Japanese stringed

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