Amaterasu (??); Amaterasu-omikami (????/?????) or Ohirume-no-muchi-no-kami (?????) is a part of the Japanese myth cycle and also a major deity of the Shinto religion.

She is the goddess of the sun; but also of the universe. The name Amaterasu derived from Amateru meaning 'shining in heaven'. The meaning of her whole name; Amaterasu-omikami; is 'the great august kami (God) who shines in the heaven'.

The Emperor of Japan is said to be a direct descendant of Amaterasu. Pictures From History