Amenokoyane no Mikoto
天児屋根命
God of ritual prayers (norito), divination, and the Fujiwara clan ancestor; one of the Kasuga deities
About
Amenokoyane played a critical ritual role in the Ama-no-Iwato episode, reciting the grand liturgy (futomani no norito) that accompanied Amenouzume's dance to lure Amaterasu from the Rock Cave. His solemn incantations are considered the origin of Shinto norito (ritual prayers), making him the divine patron of priestly ritual.
He accompanied Ninigi during the Tenson Korin as one of the five retainer deities, carrying the sacred mirror. Through this lineage, he became the ancestral deity of the Nakatomi clan, which later produced the powerful Fujiwara family—the most influential noble house in Japanese history.
Kasuga Taisha in Nara is the principal shrine of the Fujiwara, and Amenokoyane is enshrined there as one of the four Kasuga deities alongside Takemikazuchi, Futsunushi, and Himegami. The shrine's establishment in 768 CE cemented the Fujiwara's spiritual authority in the ancient capital.
Mythology
Animal Messenger
Deer (鹿（しか）)
As one of the Kasuga deities, Amenokoyane shares the deer as sacred messenger. The Kasuga shrine tradition holds that the deity arrived in Nara riding a white deer.
Shrines Dedicated to This Deity
| Shrine | Prefecture | Network Role |
|---|---|---|
| Yoshida Shrine 吉田神社 | Kyoto | |
| Hiraoka Shrine 枚岡神社 | Osaka | Branch (mother shrine of Kasuga Taisha) |
| Kasuga Taisha 春日大社 | Nara | Head shrine (souhonsha) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Information provided by Jinja DB Editorial Team
Who is Amenokoyane no Mikoto in Japanese mythology?
Amenokoyane no Mikoto (天児屋根命) is God of ritual prayers (norito), divination, and the Fujiwara clan ancestor; one of the Kasuga deities. This deity appears in Kojiki & Nihon Shoki and is enshrined at 3 shrines across Japan.
What shrines are dedicated to Amenokoyane no Mikoto?
There are 3 shrines in our database dedicated to Amenokoyane no Mikoto, including Yoshida Shrine, Hiraoka Shrine, Kasuga Taisha.
What myths involve Amenokoyane no Mikoto?
Amenokoyane no Mikoto appears in 2 myths including The Cave of the Sun Goddess (Ama-no-Iwato), The Descent of the Heavenly Grandson (Tenson Korin). These stories come from Kojiki & Nihon Shoki.