Ninigi no Mikoto
瓊瓊杵尊
Grandson of Amaterasu, who descended from heaven to rule the terrestrial realm; bearer of the three Imperial Regalia
About
Ninigi is the divine grandson (tenson) of Amaterasu whose descent from the High Celestial Plain to the peak of Takachiho in Hyuga marks the pivotal transition from the Age of the Gods to the Age of Men. Amaterasu entrusted him with the three Imperial Regalia—the mirror Yata no Kagami, the sword Kusanagi no Tsurugi, and the jewel Yasakani no Magatama—as symbols of divine authority.
Upon arriving in the terrestrial realm, Ninigi was guided by Sarutahiko and accompanied by a retinue of heavenly deities. He married Konohanasakuya-hime, the beautiful daughter of the mountain god Oyamazumi, but rejected her sister Iwanagahime, inadvertently establishing the mortality of his descendants.
Ninigi's descent (Tenson Korin) is one of the foundational myths of Japanese sovereignty, connecting the imperial institution directly to the sun goddess through an unbroken chain of descent. His role is less that of a heroic figure than a transitional one—the vessel through which heavenly mandate was established on earth.
Mythology
Family Relationships
Shrines Dedicated to This Deity
| Shrine | Prefecture | Network Role |
|---|---|---|
| Kirishima Shrine 霧島神宮 | Kagoshima | |
| Nitta Shrine 新田神社 | Kagoshima |
Frequently Asked Questions
Information provided by Jinja DB Editorial Team
Who is Ninigi no Mikoto in Japanese mythology?
Ninigi no Mikoto (瓊瓊杵尊) is Grandson of Amaterasu, who descended from heaven to rule the terrestrial realm; bearer of the three Imperial Regalia. This deity appears in Kojiki & Nihon Shoki and is enshrined at 2 shrines across Japan.
What shrines are dedicated to Ninigi no Mikoto?
There are 2 shrines in our database dedicated to Ninigi no Mikoto, including Kirishima Shrine, Nitta Shrine.
What myths involve Ninigi no Mikoto?
Ninigi no Mikoto appears in 2 myths including The Descent of the Heavenly Grandson (Tenson Korin), The Cession of the Land (Kuniyuzuri). These stories come from Kojiki & Nihon Shoki.