The Descent of the Heavenly Grandson (Tenson Korin)

With the terrestrial realm pacified and Okuninushi's cession secured, the time had come for the heavenly lineage to descend and rule the earth. Amaterasu's son Amenooshihomimi was originally designated to make the descent, but upon surveying the terrestrial realm from the heavenly bridge, he declared it still too turbulent and passed the mandate to his son—Ninigi, the heavenly grandson.

Amaterasu entrusted Ninigi with the three sacred treasures that would symbolize divine authority for all time: the mirror Yata no Kagami, declaring 'Regard this mirror as my spirit, and worship it as you would worship in my presence'; the sword Kusanagi no Tsurugi, recovered from the Yamata no Orochi; and the curved jewel Yasakani no Magatama. These Three Imperial Regalia (Sanshu no Jingi) would become the most sacred objects in Japanese sovereignty.

Five deities accompanied Ninigi as his attendant retinue (Itsutomonoo): Amenokoyane (master of rituals), Futodama (bearer of offerings), Amenouzume (dancer and performer), Ishikoridome (mirror-maker), and Tamanooya (jewel-maker). Together they represented the essential functions of divine worship.

As the heavenly host prepared to descend, they encountered a fearsome figure standing at the junction of heaven and earth—a towering deity whose radiance illuminated the crossroads in both directions. The heavenly deities were alarmed, and it was bold Amenouzume who stepped forward to confront this stranger. Baring her chest in a gesture of fearless directness, she demanded to know his identity and purpose.

The imposing figure revealed himself as Sarutahiko Okami—the chief of the earthly deities, who had come not to obstruct the descent but to guide the heavenly grandson safely to his destination. Reassured, the heavenly party followed Sarutahiko's lead.

Ninigi descended through the clouds, parting the layers of heaven, and alighted on the peak of Takachiho in the land of Hyuga (present-day Miyazaki Prefecture). Gazing across the land, he declared it a beautiful place, facing toward the morning sun and the evening sun. He established his palace there, marking the beginning of heavenly rule on earth—the mythological foundation for the Japanese imperial institution.