Amaterasu | Victoria Olt

2020

Handmade watercolor on paper.

12 x 16 in
31 x 41 cm + frame included for free in shipments within Estonia

} Amaterasu {

Is a Shintō deity, a celestial Sun Goddess. The Japanese royal family claim they are descendants from her. She was born from Izanagi's ("He who invites") left eye, who also set her to rule Takamagahara (the “High Celestial Plain”), where all the Gods lived.

At one time, her brother Susanowo played a cruel trick on her and she went into hiding in the cave of heaven and refused to come out. The world became dark, allowing evil spirits to roam across the land. All the Gods came together to try and lure Amaterasu out of the cave and they tried many different things but nothing worked. They then placed a great big mirror in front of the cave and started having a loud, jolly party. It was only when the Goddess of laughter began to dance did the Sun Goddess have a peek. Once she saw her own reflection in the mirror, she became so fascinated that she came out of the cave and covered the world in light once again.