Great Construction

How Many Amaterasu Ōkamis Are There?

     Jikōson [nèe Ryoko Nagashima], who is another well-known figure in the world of Japanese new religions, says that she is possessed by the spirit of the goddess Amaterasu Ōmikami. Sayo Kitamura of the Dancing Religion says the same thing.
     Previously, when an itinerant woman ascetic visited me, she said, “Amaterasu Ōmikami is indeed to be pitied,” and I asked her why. She said, “Amaterasu Ōmikami is now possessing me but is in trouble because I am being thrown out of my lodgings and have nowhere to go.” I said to her, “Amaterasu Ōmikami is a deity of the highest levels. There is no reason why she should have no place to go. With her enormous authority and virtue she should be living in a magnificent residence, revered by many,” and dejectedly the mountain priestess left.
     In addition to the instance above, I have met several other women who have professed to be Amaterasu Ōmikami, so the number of self-styled Amaterasu Ōmikamis probably amounts to quite a few. If so, it could be said that at present Amaterasu Ōmikami is indeed the fashion rage of the age.

Hikari, Issue 29, October 1, 1949
    translated by cynndd