Tsukuyomi

, or simply or , is the moon kami in Japanese mythology and the Shinto religion. The name "Tsukuyomi" is a compound of the Old Japanese words and .1988, ''国語大辞典（新装版） ''(Kokugo Dai Jiten, Revised Edition) (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Shogakukan The ''Nihon Shoki'' mentions this name spelled as , but this ''yumi'' is likely a variation in pronunciation of ''yomi''. An alternative interpretation is that his name is a combination of and . ''-no-Mikoto'' is a common honorific appended to the names of Kami; it may be understood as similar to the English honorific 'the Great'.

In ''Man'yōshū'', Tsukuyomi's name is sometimes rendered as , implying that he is male.

Myth

Tsukuyomi was the second of the born when Izanagi-no-Mikoto, the kami who created the first land of Onogoroshima, was cleansing himself of his kegare while bathing after escaping the underworld and the clutches of his enraged dead sister, Izanami-no-Mikoto. Tsukuyomi was born when he washed out of Izanagi's right eye. However, in an alternative story, Tsukuyomi was born from a mirror made of white copper in Izanagi's right hand.

Tsukuyomi angered Amaterasu (who in some sources was his wife) when he killed Ukemochi, the megami of food. Amaterasu once sent Tsukuyomi to represent her at a feast presented by Ukemochi. The megami created the food by turning to the ocean and spitting out a fish, then facing a forest and spitting out game, and finally turning to a rice paddy and coughing up a bowl of rice. Tsukuyomi was utterly disgusted by the manner of which the exquisite-looking meal was made in, so he killed her.

Amaterasu learned what happened and she was so angry that she refused to ever look at Tsukuyomi again, forever moving to another part of the sky. This is the reason that day and night are never together. This is according to one of the accounts in the ''Nihon Shoki''. Tsukuyomi does not have such significance in the '' Kojiki'', in which there is a similar tale about Susanoo-no-Mikoto killing a similar food megami named Ōgetsuhime, who is often conflated with Ukemochi.

Description in Mythology

In the Kiki (the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki), Tsukuyomi is said to have been born from Izanagi-no-Mikoto (Izanagi-no-Mikoto / 伊弉諾尊). He is considered a god who governs the moon and night, though there are alternate theories (as discussed later). He is regarded as the younger brother of Amaterasu-ōmikami (Amaterasu-ōmikami / 天照大神), and the elder brother of Takehaya Susanoo-no-Mikoto (Susanoo-no-Mikoto / 建速須佐之男命)

Tsukuyomi is considered one of the gods of the moon. Yaoyorozu no Kamigami – Profiles of Japanese Deities, pp. 103, 105. However, the nature of his divinity varies by text. In the Kojiki, he is said to have been born from Izanagi-no-Mikoto’s right eye during his purification (misogi) after escaping from the underworld, alongside Amaterasu-ōmikami, who was born from the left eye, and Susanoo-no-Mikoto, born from the nose. These three form the important trio known as the Mihashira no Uzu no Miko.

In contrast, the Nihon Shoki offers alternative accounts one stating that he was born from Izanagi and Izanami-no-Mikoto, another that he emerged from a white bronze mirror held in Izanagi’s right hand. The domains these deities govern, such as the heavens or seas, also vary between stories.

This pattern of a sun god, moon god, and a younger or elder sibling is seen in comparative mythology across various cultures as well.

In Japanese mythology, Tsukuyomi rarely appears in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, and is generally not very active. He is mentioned only briefly in the eleventh variant of the fifth volume of the Nihon Shoki, in connection with the origin of grains. One theory suggests that placing a calm, quiet deity like Tsukuyomi between the contrasting personalities of Amaterasu and Susanoo provides narrative balance. A similar structure is found in cases like Takami-Musubi-no-Kami and Kami-Musubi-no-Kami being paired with Ame-no-Minakanushi, or Hoori-no-Mikoto and Hoderi-no-Mikoto with Hosuseri-no-Mikoto.

Tsukuyomi’s jurisdiction differs across texts. In the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, Amaterasu, as the sun deity, clearly governs "heaven" or Takamagahara. In the Kojiki, Tsukuyomi is said to rule over "Yoru no Oshikuni" (the Realm of Night Food), while in the Nihon Shoki, he is assigned to "govern heaven alongside the sun." There are also accounts of him being tasked with ruling over the "eightfold tides of the sea plain." This inconsistency in his domain may be due to the later addition of Susanoo to myths originally centered on Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi. Encyclopedia of Japanese Mythology, p. 211.

Because some of Tsukuyomi’s stories overlap with Susanoo’s, a few scholars argue that they may be the same deity.

Record in the Nihon Shoki

According to Volume 1 of the Nihon Shoki, in the story of the birth of the gods by Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto, after the birth of the gods of the mountains, rivers, and seas, Izanagi and Izanami gave birth to the spirit of trees, Kukunochi, and the spirit of grass, Kaya-no-Hime (also called Nozuchi). Then, the two deities discussed, saying: “We have already given birth to the great eight-island country and to the mountains, rivers, grasses, and trees. Why not give birth to the ruler of the world?”
Later, they gave birth to the sun goddess Ōhirume-no-Muchi (also known as Amaterasu-ōmikami or Amaterasu-ōhirume-no-Mikoto). This child’s body radiated divine light, illuminating the entire universe. The two deities were pleased and said: “Although we have had many children, none have been as wondrous as this. She should not remain in this country. Let us quickly send her to the heavens and entrust her with the affairs of the celestial realm.”
At that time, heaven and earth were not far apart, so she was raised to the heavens via the heavenly pillar. Next, they gave birth to the moon god (also called Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto, Tsukuyomi-no-Kami, or Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto again). Since his radiance was second only to the sun goddess, he was deemed suitable to rule alongside her.
After that, they gave birth to Hiruko, who, though three years old, was unable to stand. He was placed in a and abandoned to the winds. Finally, they gave birth to Susanoo-no-Mikoto (also known as Kamususanowo-no-Mikoto or Hayasusanowo-no-Mikoto). Although this deity was brave and enduring, he constantly wept, causing calamities such as the death of people and the withering of green mountains. Thus, Izanagi and Izanami said to Susanoo: “You are unruly. You cannot rule the world. You must depart for the Land of Roots!” And so, he was exiled.
In the first version of the myth, it is recorded that Izanagi said: “I wish to give birth to noble children to govern the realm.” Holding a white bronze mirror in his left hand, he created the deity Ōhirume-no-Muchi. Holding another mirror in his right hand, he created the moon god Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto. Then, turning his head and glancing behind, he created Susanoo-no-Mikoto. Since both Ōhirume-no-Muchi and Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto had bright and pure natures, they were tasked with illuminating heaven and earth. Susanoo, who delighted in destruction, was assigned to rule the Land of Roots.
In the sixth version, it is said that Izanagi, after escaping from Yomi (the underworld), performed a purification ritual (misogi) at Awagihara in Odo, Hyūga Province (modern-day Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture). Washing his left eye, he gave birth to Amaterasu-ōmikami; washing his right eye, he gave birth to Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto; and washing his nose, he gave birth to Susanoo-no-Mikoto. He then gave commands to the three children: “Amaterasu shall rule over Takamagahara (the High Plain of Heaven). Tsukuyomi shall rule over the many tides of the blue sea. Susanoo shall rule over the world.” However, Susanoo, already grown with a beard eight fists long, neglected his duties and wept daily. When Izanagi asked, “Why do you weep constantly?” he replied, “I wish to follow my mother to the Land of Roots, and I weep only for this.” Enraged, Izanagi said, “Then do as you wish!” and banished him.
In the eleventh version, it is recorded that Izanagi commanded his three children as follows: “Amaterasu shall govern Takamagahara. Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto shall assist the sun and manage heavenly affairs. Susanoo shall govern the sea realm.” While in heaven, Amaterasu-ōmikami heard of the food goddess Ukemochi in Ashihara-no-Nakatsukuni and sent Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto to visit her. Facing Ashihara-no-Nakatsukuni, Ukemochi spat out rice; facing the sea, she spat out fish; facing the mountains, she spat out wild game. She prepared a banquet with all kinds of food to entertain Tsukuyomi.
However, he was angered and said: “Disgusting! How vile! How dare you offer food from your mouth to me?” So he drew his sword and killed Ukemochi, then returned to report everything to Amaterasu. Upon hearing this, Amaterasu became enraged and declared: “You are a wicked god! I shall never see you again!” Thus, Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi, day and night, were separated bringing about the cycle of day and night.

Chronicle of Emperor Kenzo

Tsukuyomi reappears during the era when human emperors began ruling in place of the gods (after the transition from the Age of the Gods to the Age of Man). In Book 15 of the Chronicles (Shoki), in the annals of Emperor Kenzo, there is a record that when Ahe no Omi Kotoshiro was dispatched to Mimana, he became possessed by the moon god, who proclaimed, “I, descendant of Takami-Musubi, declare: worship me, the moon god, and joy shall come.” In accordance with this divine message, a shrine was built in the Kadonokōri (Katsuno District) of Yamashiro Province, and the ancestor of the Iki no Agatanushi clan, Oshimi no Sukune, was appointed to conduct the rites.
This event is said to be the origin of the Tsukuyomi Shrine in Yamashiro Province. There is also a Tsukuyomi Shrine on Iki Island, where the oracle is believed to have occurred. It is said to be the original shrine of the Tsukuyomi Shrine in Yamashiro Province (present-day Kyoto). However, it is now believed that this connection was a mistake made by Tachibana Mitsuyoshi, and that the actual originally oracular shikinaisha Tsukuyomi Shrine was located at Otoko-dake. Today, it has been relocated and enshrined at Hakozaki Hachiman Shrine

In Tenrikyo

In Tenrikyo, Tsukiyomi-no-Mikoto is one of the .

Gallery

File:Tsukiyomi-no-miya(Naiku) 02.JPG, The Betsugu Tsukiyomi-no-miya Sanctuary of Kotaijingu (Naiku) at Ise city
File:Tsukuyomi shrine Kyoto.jpg, A shrine to Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto at Matsunoo-taisha in Kyoto

See also

* List of lunar deities

Notes

References

External links

*
*Tsukiyomi on th
Japanese History Database

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tsukuyomi-No-Mikoto
Japanese deities
Lunar gods
Shinto kami
Personifications
Amatsukami
Tenrikyo