Oshihomimi- Japanese GodDeity"Firstborn of Amaterasu"

Birth from the Heavenly Oath

Oshihomimi came into being during the ukei (oath ritual) between Amaterasu and Susanoo. When Susanoo ascended to heaven to bid farewell to his sister, Amaterasu suspected hostile intentions and armed herself. To prove his sincerity, Susanoo proposed the oath: each deity would produce children from the other's possessions. Susanoo took Amaterasu's magatama jewels, chewed them, and breathed out five male deities. Oshihomimi, whose full name Masaka-Akatsu-Kachihayahi-Ame-no-Oshihomimi means "Truly-Winning-Swift-August-Heavenly-Great-Ears-of-Rice," was the firstborn. Because the jewels belonged to Amaterasu, she claimed all five as her sons.

The Refusal to Descend

When the heavenly gods determined that the Central Land of Reed Plains should be brought under their rule, Oshihomimi was the natural choice as Amaterasu's heir. He looked down from the Floating Bridge of Heaven and saw chaos: unruly deities held the land, and the earth was turbulent. He refused to descend.

The heavenly gods sent emissaries to pacify the land. Ame-no-Hohi went first and accomplished nothing. Takemikazuchi followed and finally persuaded Ōkuninushi to cede the earth.

The Imperial Lineage

After the earthly realm was pacified, Oshihomimi again declined to go. He had married Takuhadachiji-hime, a daughter of Takamimusubi, and suggested that their newborn son Ninigi make the heavenly descent instead. Oshihomimi never set foot on earth. Ninigi went in his place, and from Ninigi's line came Emperor Jimmu.