Amaterasu is the Japanese sun goddess who currently rules over Takamagahara, the High Plain of Heaven. She was treated as the most sacred of all Shinto deities and is said to be a direct ancestor of the Japanese Imperial dynasty. Her name, Amaterasu, means "(that which) illuminates Heaven" or "she who illuminates the heavens." When her father, Izanagi, escaped from his visit to Yomi, he had to perform a cleansing ritual in the river Woto and it was then, from the god’s left eye, that Amaterasu was born. She is also the sister of the storm god Susano-o and the moon god Tsukuyomi. Amaterasu constantly quarreled with her mischievous younger brother Susano-o and finally having enough, Izanagi temporarily exiled him from heaven.
The most famous myth involving her took place when her brother Susano-o attacked her temple in a drunken rage and killed several of her priestesses. Distressed by this, Amaterasu fled into a cave and darkness fell on the world. Ultimately, the other gods lured her out of her hiding place by placing a mirror next to the cave entrance and began to cheer and yell due to the antics of Ame no Uzume. When Amaterasu peeked out to see what the commotion was, she was told there was a new god and was directed to look at the mirror. Having never seen her own reflection before, she was fascinated by what she saw and was lured out of the cave, returning light to the world. Amaterasu is also known as the ancestor of the Imperial lineage.
In Kojiki, her name is unified to be "Amaterasu-Omikami" (天照大御神). In Nihon Shoki, she is more often addressed by her full title of "Amaterasu-Sume-Okami" (天照皇大神), or alternatively "Sume-Omikami" (皇大御神), which literally means the "Great Imperial Deity." In the medieval period, Amaterasu was often called "Tenshô Daijin," its on'yomi reading. She has also been known as the The Shining Light, The Blinding Radiance, The Great August Kami Who Shines in the Heavens and The Honorable Goddess of the Great Sun.
Amaterasu is the highest leveled Gaean demon and appears exclusively in the PC Engine release of the game. Amaterasu can be fused with Missionary and Crusader in order to create Dainichi Nyorai. She uses magnetite while walking with the protagonist despite the rest of Gaean demons of the game not requiring magnetite when walking in an area.
Amaterasu can appear in male and female forms as two of the four possible bosses within Kagurazaka Zhu Que Caverns' gold level instance. Her "male" form is taken from her appearance in Nocturne while her "female" form is based on her appearance from Shin Megami Tensei II. Which version is summoned depends on a player's actions within the instance. Each version can be fused by acquiring their plug-in item after defeating them.
To access the boss room with Amaterasu as a male, players need to connect with three plasma. As plasma spawn according to number of party members, players need to go in a party of three or more to summon him at all.
To access the boss room with Amaterasu as a female, players need to connect with plasma with different demons summoned, Ame-no-Uzume at the left, Omoikane in the middle and Tajikarao at the right. Then, when encountering NPCs on a subsequent floor, players need to speak to them in a specific order (Omoikane, Ame-no-Uzume, Tajikarao, Omoikane) before proceeding to the boss room.
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey[]
"The Japanese goddess of light. She is one of the leading deities of Takaamagahara, the land of the Amatsu gods. A deification of the sun, she also governs life. It is said she was born from the left eye of Izanagi."
—Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey compendium
Amaterasu appears under the guise of Kinmamon in Sector Eridanus in the Schwarzwelt. She appears to be lost and confused, drawn to the powers of the land by her nature as a mother goddess. The Schwarzwelt's powers were trying to incorporate her into the group of the Demon Mothers, and she wound up talking senseless gibberish in a corner on Eridanus until the protagonist, with the aid of Ame no Uzume and Futotama shone a magical mirror upon her, waking her up from her delusional dreams and allowing her to leave the dimension with her caretakers.
Shin Megami Tensei IV[]
"The Japanese goddess of light. She is one of the leading deities of Takaamagahara, the land of the Amatsu gods. A deification of the sun, she also governs life. It is said she was born from the left eye of Izanagi."
—Shin Megami Tensei IV compendium
Amaterasu is a special fusion of Yatagarasu, Futotama and Ame-no-Uzume, unlocked after the demon conversation questResurrection of the Kousoushin is completed. Futotama, found at the Meiji Shrine in Shinjuku, explains that Amaterasu was sealed away by those who seek Tokyo for themselves and asks that Flynn obtains the three sacred treasures to revive her and save the Amatsu race. When the three treasures are taken to Tokyo Castle Ruins they glow brightly, breaking the seal upon her. She thanks Flynn for reviving her and apologizes to Futotama for the trouble she caused. She agrees with Futotama in his wish for her to regain her strength and she rewards Flynn with the Torifune's Shawl, a portion of Futotama's power so he can fly. Her last words before disappearing is that Flynn should go make the world he dreams of.
Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse[]
Amaterasu can be summoned with a special fusion of Yatagarasu, Futotama and Ame no Uzume once Nanashi can control level 79 demons. She can teach Nanashi the Trisagion, Will of Flame and Mediarahan skills through her Demon Whisper. Amaterasu benefits from learning Fire, Light, healing and support skills.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance[]
While not making a physical appearance in Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, one of the new side-quests added in the game heavily implied that Tao Isonokami had Amaterasu's Knowledge, but the former's status as the Goddess of Creation overwhelmed Amaterasu, which prevented Bethel from completing a Proto-fiend based on her.
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner[]
Amaterasu is one of the three goddesses that the protagonist can choose for Rei Reiho to help her learn magic skills in Mount Kusagi, the others being Ishtar and Gabriel. Choosing Amaterasu will give Rei powerful magic skills.
The metal decoration, especially the octagonal star shapes and the red gems in the middle which tie to Amaterasu's wrists, is modeled after the Order of the Rising Sun (旭日章, Kyokujitsu-shou)? established in 1875, with the design symbolizes the solar rays.
Persona 4 Golden[]
Amaterasu is the second tier Persona for Yukiko Amagi and will evolve from Konohana Sakuya once the Priestess Social Link has maxed out. Amaterasu actually takes a penalty of one to Magic and 2 to Endurance after evolving, but will gain a bonus of 2 to Agility and 1 to Luck. Amaterasu nullifies Fire skills, resists Electricity skills and is weak against Ice skills. Speaking to Yukiko after January 10th will cause Amaterasu to evolve into Sumeo-Okami.
Devil Children Black Book/Red Book (PS)[]
Amaterasu is obtained in Red Book by defeating Izanagi.
Devil Children Fire/Ice Book[]
Amaterasu can be found in Annwn Town, where she has holed herself up in a house and refuses to come out unless her brothers are there. After obtaining her brothers Tsukuyomi and Susano-o and traveling to the home, she speaks with her siblings and reveals her frustration at all the trouble they put her through and decides to take it out on them. Scared, the two retreat back into Jin/Akira's Devil Riser and she attacks him. After the battle she calms down and apologizes, deciding to aid them for taking out her anger on them and not her brothers.
Devil Survivor 2[]
"The Japanese goddess of light. She is one of the leading deities of Takaamagahara, the land of the Amatsu gods. She is said to have been born of Izanagi's left eye, and is enshrined in many places, such as Ise Grand Shrine. Her most well-known tale is when she grew so angry at her brother Susano-o-no-mikoto's violence and chaos that she withdrew into Amano-iwato, shrouding the world in darkness."
—Devil Survivor 2 compendium
Amaterasu appears as the strongest member of the Megami race. In Devil Survivor 2, Amaterasu is a unique demon that doesn't require a particular fusion combination to create. Instead, the protagonist has to achieve a Fate level of 5 with Otome Yanagiya before it is available. Once this has been achieved, it is unlocked for fusion on all subsequent runs as long as the player imports their save.
Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2[]
"The Japanese goddess of the sun and light. She is one of the chief deities of Takaamagahara, the land of the Amatsu gods. Her most known tale is the time the world was shrouded in darkness when she withdrew into Amano-iwato, annoyed at her brother Susano-o's fit of rage. As does the Ise Shrine, many worship her as the goddess of nature."
Inflicts Fire (Magic) damage with 100 power on All Enemies.
Innate
Tarunda
5 MP
Reduces ATK of All Enemies by 20% for 3 turns.
Innate
Tenson Kourin
7 MP
Removes debuffs and increases the ATK, DEF, EV/AC of All Party Members by 20% for 6 turns.
Innate
Auto-Sukuka
Auto
Casts Sukukaja at the beginning of the 1st turn.
Common
Trisagion
7 MP
Inflicts Fire (Magic) damage with 180 power on a Single Enemy.
Aragami (Awaken)
Luck Amp III
Auto
+15 to Luck.
Aragami (Gacha)
Mediarahan
9 MP
Heals All Party Members with 130 power. (9 uses)
Protector (Awaken)
Null Charm
Auto
Adds Null Charm
Protector (Gacha)
Magic Amp III
Auto
+15 to Magic.
Psychic (Awaken)
Mahamadyne
7 MP
Inflicts Light (Magic) damage with 120 power on All Enemies.
Psychic (Gacha)
Null Elec
Auto
Adds Elec Null.
Elementalist (Awaken)
Mahamakajamaon
7 MP
40% chance to inflict Mute on All Enemies.
Elementalist (Gacha)
Gallery[]
Amaterasu's artwork as it appears in Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2
Artwork from Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner
Amaterasu's sprite in Shin Megami Tensei II
Model in Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne
Amaterasu as she appears in Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE
Amaterasu's two forms in Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE
Amaterasu as she appears in Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey
Portrait from Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey
Design originating from Persona 4
Amaterasu’s design concept for Persona 4
Amatersu's appearance in Persona 4 The Animation
Amaterasu's in Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth
Amaterasu as she appears in Card Summoner
Amaterasu as she appears in Devil Survivor
Amaterasu as she appears in Devil Survivor 2
Amaterasu in Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2
In Other Languages[]
Language
Name
Japanese
アマテラス (Amaterasu)
French
Amaterasu
Italian
Amaterasu
German
Amaterasu
Spanish
Amaterasu
Trivia[]
Amaterasu's stats in Shin Megami Tensei (PCE) is identical to the stats of Pale Rider found in the same game.
Amaterasu's weakness to Electric attacks in some games such as Shin Megami Tensei IV and Apocalypse may be a reference to her feud with Susano-o, the god of storms. But in other games, such as her appearance in the Persona series, she resists Electricity.