What is Amaterasu and the Cave of Heaven?
When the sun goddess retreated into a cave, the gods used laughter and a mirror to lure her out, restoring light to the world.
Available Variants
At a Glance
Asia / Japan
ATU 478
12 min read
Medium
Light
Trickster
Restoration
Key Takeaways
- 1.Light and warmth are fragile gifts that can be lost through conflict.
- 2.Laughter and joy can heal what force and power cannot.
- 3.The myth connects the Japanese imperial family to the divine sun itself.
Amaterasu and the Cave of Heaven
Annotations Enabled
Amaterasu, the goddess of the sun and the ancestor of the Japanese imperial family, was enraged when her brother Susanoo, the storm god, destroyed her rice fields and desecrated her weaving hall. In her grief and fury, she retreated into a heavenly cave called Ama-no-Iwato, sealing the entrance with a massive boulder. Without her light, the world fell into eternal darkness — crops withered, the gods grew fearful, and chaos spread across the land. The eight hundred gods gathered outside the cave to devise a plan. They placed a large sakaki tree before the entrance and hung jewels, a mirror, and cloth upon it. Then Ama-no-Uzume, the goddess of dawn and mirth, climbed onto an overturned tub and began to dance with wild abandon. Her comical performance was so uproarious that the gods erupted in laughter. Amaterasu, curious about the celebration in her absence, slightly opened the cave door. 'Why do you laugh?' she asked. 'Because we have found a deity greater than you,' they replied, and showed her the mirror. When Amaterasu saw her own dazzling reflection, she stepped forward in wonder. The hidden god Tajikarao seized the door and pulled it open, and the world was bathed in light once more. A sacred rope (shimenawa) was placed across the cave entrance so she could never seal it again. Amaterasu's light returned to the world, bringing life, warmth, and order back to all creation.
Field Notes
My Folklore Journal
Record your thoughts, motifs you noticed, or personal connections to this tale.
Cultural Note
This myth is the foundation of Shinto cosmology and is reenacted in rituals at the Ise Grand Shrine. The mirror (Yata no Kagami), jewel (Yasakani no Magatama), and sword (Kusanagi no Tsurugi) that appear in the myth became the Three Imperial Regalia of Japan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Editorial Review
E-E-A-T
Reviewed by
Dr. Eleanor Vance, Folklore Studies
Last updated
April 30, 2026
Sources & References
- 1.Campbell, J. — The Hero with a Thousand Faces (1949)
- 2.Propp, V. — Morphology of the Folktale (1928)
- 3.Thompson, S. — Motif-Index of Folk-Literature (1955)
Cultural Variants of Amaterasu and the Cave
Explore how this Mythology tale transforms across different cultures and languages.
| Language/Region | Cultural Context | Key Features | Story Length |
|---|---|---|---|
en Japan | Asia This myth is the foundation of Shinto cosmology and is reenacted in rituals at the Ise Grand Shrine. The mirror (Yata no Kagami), jewel (Yasakani no Magatama), and sword (Kusanagi no Tsurugi) that appear in the myth became the Three Imperial Regalia of Japan. | Unique cultural note about Asia traditions Includes key takeaways Includes FAQ section | 235 words |
fr Japan | Asia Ce mythe est le fondement de la cosmologie shinto et est reconstitue lors des rituels au sanctuaire d'Ise. Le miroir (Yata no Kagami), le joyau (Yasakani no Magatama) et l'epee (Kusanagi no Tsurugi) qui apparaissent dans le mythe devinrent les Trois Regalia Imperiaux du Japon. | Unique cultural note about Asia traditions Includes key takeaways Includes FAQ section | 239 words |
es Japan | Asia Este mito es el fundamento de la cosmologia sintoista y se representa en rituales en el Gran Santuario de Ise. El espejo (Yata no Kagami), la joya (Yasakani no Magatama) y la espada (Kusanagi no Tsurugi) que aparecen en el mito se convirtieron en los Tres Tesoros Imperiales de Japon. | Unique cultural note about Asia traditions More detailed version Includes key takeaways Includes FAQ section | 245 words |
zh Japan | Asia 这个神话是神道教宇宙观的基础,并在伊势神宫的仪式中重现。神话中出现的镜子(八咫镜)、宝石(八尺琼勾玉)和草薙剑成为了日本的三神器。 | Unique cultural note about Asia traditions More concise version Includes key takeaways Includes FAQ section | 1 words |
pt Japan | Asia Este mito e a base da cosmologia xintoista e encenado em rituais no Santuario Grande de Ise. O espelho (Yata no Kagami), a joia (Yasakani no Magatama) e a espada (Kusanagi no Tsurugi) que aparecem no mito tornaram-se os Tres Tes Sagrados do Japao. | Unique cultural note about Asia traditions More detailed version Includes key takeaways Includes FAQ section | 244 words |
de Japan | Asia Dieser Mythos ist die Grundlage der shintoistischen Kosmologie und wird in Ritualen im Ise-Grosheiligtum nachgespielt. Der Spiegel (Yata no Kagami), der Juwel (Yasakani no Magatama) und das Schwert (Kusanagi no Tsurugi), die im Mythos auftauchen, wurden die drei Kaiserregalien Japans. | Unique cultural note about Asia traditions Includes key takeaways Includes FAQ section | 236 words |
Community Discussion
F
FolkloreFan2 days ago
I love how this variant emphasizes the role of the magical helper. It's so different from the version I grew up with!
S
Scholar_Jane5 hours ago
The ATU 510A classification really helps in seeing the structural similarities with Ye Xian. Fascinating stuff.
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