Amenotajikarao no Kami

天手力男神

God of physical strength and sports

Tajikarao Ame-no-Tajikarao Hand-Strength Male
天手力男命 天手力雄神
Kojiki & Nihon Shoki

About

Amenotajikarao is the deity of supreme physical strength who played the decisive role in the Ama-no-Iwato episode. While Amenouzume's dance and the mirror lured Amaterasu to peek from the Rock Cave, it was Tajikarao who seized the sun goddess's hand and pulled her fully out into the open, then hurled the rock door away so she could never retreat again.

The rock door, according to one tradition, landed in Togakushi (literally 'hidden door') in Nagano Prefecture, where Togakushi Shrine is dedicated to Tajikarao. He also accompanied Ninigi during the Tenson Korin, serving as a guardian figure.

Tajikarao is popular as a deity of physical strength and athletics, worshipped by athletes and those engaged in physical labor. His straightforward, decisive character—grasping the moment with overwhelming strength—represents an ideal of action.

Mythology

Shrines Dedicated to This Deity

Shrine Prefecture Network Role
Togakushi Shrine 戸隠神社 Nagano

Frequently Asked Questions

Information provided by Jinja DB Editorial Team

Who is Amenotajikarao no Kami in Japanese mythology?

Amenotajikarao no Kami (天手力男神) is God of physical strength and sports. This deity appears in Kojiki & Nihon Shoki and is enshrined at 1 shrines across Japan.

What shrines are dedicated to Amenotajikarao no Kami?

There are 1 shrines in our database dedicated to Amenotajikarao no Kami, including Togakushi Shrine.

What myths involve Amenotajikarao no Kami?

Amenotajikarao no Kami 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.