In Japanese mythology, the god of night is Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto. He is one of the most important gods in the Shinto religion and Japanese folklore. Tsukuyomi is the god of the moon and ruler of the night. Let’s take a closer look at who Tsukuyomi is and his significance in Japanese culture.
The Origins of Tsukuyomi
According to Shinto belief, Tsukuyomi was born when the god Izanagi washed his face after escaping the underworld. When Izanagi washed his left eye, Amaterasu, the sun goddess, was born. When he washed his right eye, Tsukuyomi emerged. Finally, when Izanagi washed his nose, the storm god Susanoo came into being.
Together, Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and Susanoo make up the three most important gods in Japanese mythology. They are collectively known as the “Three Noble Children” and originally ruled over the heavens together.
The Kojiki, Japan’s oldest historical record dating back to 712 CE, contains the earliest known written records of the Japanese gods, including the birth of Tsukuyomi. The Kojiki describes Tsukuyomi as a powerful kami (Shinto god or spirit) who rules over the realm of the night.
Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu
After their birth, the sun goddess Amaterasu eventually settled in the heavens and ruled over the day. Her brother, Tsukuyomi, ruled over the night. According to legend, the two gods divided the sky between them.
However, tensions grew between Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi. The siblings eventually had a falling out over the killing of the goddess of food, Uke Mochi. Amaterasu had asked Uke Mochi to provide food for the gods. Uke Mochi agreed and produced food from different parts of her body.
While Amaterasu found this display fascinating, Tsukuyomi was shocked and killed Uke Mochi in disgust. Amaterasu was angered by her brother’s behavior. This tragedy drove a wedge between the two siblings that caused them to separate.
The Separation of Day and Night
After Tsukuyomi killed Uke Mochi, his sister Amaterasu refused to ever look at him again. This marked the eternal separation between day and night. Now, whenever Tsukuyomi appears at night, Amaterasu disappears. When Amaterasu returns at dawn, Tsukuyomi vanishes.
According to the Kojiki, “Amaterasu no Mikoto hid herself in a heavenly cave, rocked shut with a heavenly boulder. Eternal night prevailed.” Without the sun goddess, the world was cast into darkness.
Eventually, the Kami were able to coax Amaterasu out of the cave, bringing back light to the world. But she forever avoided her brother Tsukuyomi thereafter. The rift between the siblings marked the divergence between night and day, which continues eternally.
The Moon God
As the god of the moon, Tsukuyomi brought the monthly rhythms of the moon’s phases to the world. Some legends say that Tsukuyomi created the lunar calendar after noticing the changing cycles of the moon.
In artwork, Tsukuyomi is often depicted holding a moonbow, a bow made of moonbeams. He uses this divine weapon to shoot arrows made of moonlight.
Tsukuyomi’s lunar powers include:
- Controlling the tides and rhythms of the ocean
- Governing the changing phases of the moon
- Illuminating the darkness of night
Tsukuyomi brings both physical and spiritual light to the night with his divine radiance.
Tsukuyomi Lore and Legends
Various myths and legends surround the Japanese moon god Tsukuyomi. Here are some fascinating stories featuring this Shinto deity of the night:
Tsukuyomi and Fujin
One legend describes a battle between Tsukuyomi and the Shinto wind god, Fujin. During their fight, Tsukuyomi shot Fujin with a moonbeam arrow. Fujin retaliated by grabbing Tsukuyomi and ripping off part of his clothing before disappearing. This explained the phases of the moon waxing and waning.
O-Tsuki-Mi
Tsukuyomi sometimes appears in Japanese folklore as O-Tsuki-Mi, a mystical figure with white skin and long hair the color of moonbeams. O-Tsuki-Mi wanders the night and protects lonely travelers walking under the moonlight.
Imban Festival
Tsukuyomi was worshipped each year during Imban, a Shinto festival celebrating the autumn full moon. People offered thanks to the moon god and prayed for bountiful harvests under the light of the harvest moon.
Moon Rabbit
According to Japanese legend, the moon features markings that form the shape of a moon rabbit. This rabbit is said to belong to the god Tsukuyomi. The rabbit holds a mortar and pestle, which it uses to create the elixir of life for the gods.
Worship of Tsukuyomi
As one of the most important Shinto gods, Tsukuyomi was widely revered and worshipped in ancient Japan. However, there are no major shrines dedicated solely to Tsukuyomi today. The moon god is often worshipped together with other Shinto kami.
For example, Tsukuyomi is honored at the Three Palace Sanctuaries at Ise Grand Shrine along with Amaterasu and Susanoo. He is also worshipped during Tsukimi, the annual autumn full moon festival.
At Tsukimi festivals in Shinto shrines, people offer harvest foods like yams and potatoes to the moon to express gratitude. This ancient tradition honors Tsukuyomi’s bountiful lunar powers.
Significance in Japan Today
Tsukuyomi remains an important figure in Japanese mythology today. The god of the moon continues to hold symbolic resonance in modern-day Japan.
For instance, Tsukuyomi’s name is still used in Japanese lunar calendars that follow the phases of the moon. The Japanese Space Agency JAXA named its lunar exploration missions after the moon god. The Japanese lunar probe SELENE (Lunar A and B) was nicknamed “Tsukuyomi” and O-Tsuki-Mi.”
Tsukuyomi also appears frequently in Japanese pop culture. The moon god can be found in anime, manga, and video games. His personification as the mysterious O-Tsuki-Mi is especially popular. Overall, Tsukuyomi lives on as an iconic figure tied deeply to Japanese lunar mythology.
Conclusion
In summary, Tsukuyomi is the powerful Shinto god of the moon and night. Born when the god Izanagi washed his right eye, Tsukuyomi ruled over the night while his sister Amaterasu presided over the day. After killing the goddess Uke Mochi, Tsukuyomi became estranged from Amaterasu, resulting in the eternal separation between day and night.
As a lunar deity, Tsukuyomi governed the moon’s phases and brought light to the darkness. He is tied to ancient Japanese moon worship and autumn harvest rituals. Though no longer widely worshipped, the moon god remains a prominent figure in Japanese folklore and culture.