Japanese indigenous religion

It is said that Takachiho is a birth place of Japanese indigenous religion, Shinto.

There is a story of Shinto origin in the Cave behind of Amano Iwato Shrine, and Amano Yasugawara.

In the story, Amaterasu, the Shinto sun goddess, became so outraged by her brother’s cruel pranks

that she hid herself in a cave, refusing to come out and depriving the world of her life-giving light.

All of the other gods and goddesses gathered to lure her out. They tried everything they could think

of to no avail until one goddess performed an outrageously ribald dance that caused the other gods

to roar with laughter. Amaterasu left the cave to see what all the fun was about, and in doing so she

returned her light to the world.

August 03, 2025