Yata no Kagami

Yata no Kagami, the Sacred Mirror of Eight Spans, stands as the most spiritually significant of the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan (Sanshu no Jingi). Representing the virtue of wisdom, this mirror serves as the primary symbol of the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami herself and embodies the soul or spirit of the deity. Unlike the sword and jewel, which symbolize the emperor's virtues, the mirror represents Amaterasu's direct presence among her descendants, making it the most sacred object in Shinto belief.

According to tradition, when Amaterasu bestowed the Three Sacred Treasures upon her grandson Ninigi-no-Mikoto before his descent from heaven to rule the earth, she declared regarding the mirror: "Regard this mirror exactly as if it were our august spirit, and reverence it as if reverencing us." This identification between goddess and mirror is absolute—the mirror is not merely a symbol of Amaterasu but is considered her shintai (spirit-body), the physical form through which the deity manifests in the world.

The mirror's role in Japanese spirituality and imperial legitimacy cannot be overstated. It resides in the innermost sanctum of Ise Grand Shrine (Ise Jingu), the most sacred site in Shinto, where it has been venerated for over a thousand years. The shrine is rebuilt every twenty years in a ritual called Shikinen Sengu, ensuring both the preservation of ancient building techniques and the renewal of the sacred space, though the mirror itself remains constant through these reconstructions.

The concept of "eight spans" (yata) in the mirror's name has been subject to various interpretations. In ancient Japanese measurement, a "span" (ata or ta) referred to the distance from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the middle finger when the hand is fully extended—roughly six to nine inches. Eight spans would indicate a fairly large mirror, perhaps 48 to 72 inches across, though such a size seems improbable for an ancient bronze mirror.

More likely, "eight" is a sacred number in Japanese cosmology, representing completeness, abundance, or the cardinal and ordinal directions. The "eight-span mirror" may thus mean "the complete mirror" or "the perfect mirror" rather than a literal measurement. This interpretation aligns with other sacred "eight" references in Japanese mythology: the eight million kami, the eight-headed serpent Yamata no Orochi, and the eight island births of the Japanese archipelago.

Bronze mirrors in ancient Japan were luxury items with ritual significance even before the mythological mirror's creation. Archaeological evidence shows that bronze mirrors were imported from China and Korea, then domestically produced using similar techniques. They served as prestige objects, burial goods for the elite, and ritual implements in early Shinto practice. The Yata no Kagami represents the ultimate expression of this tradition—the perfect mirror, crafted not merely by human skill but through divine intervention and imbued with the presence of the supreme deity.

The absolute concealment of the mirror for over a millennium has prevented any verification of its physical characteristics. This mystery is intentional and theologically necessary. In Shinto thought, the deepest sacred objects must remain hidden (hijiri) to preserve their spiritual power. Exposure to common view would profane them. The mirror's power derives partly from its invisibility—it exists in a state of pure potentiality, known only through faith, tradition, and the continuing rituals that honor it.

The creation of Yata no Kagami is intimately connected to one of the most important myths in Japanese tradition: the hiding of Amaterasu Omikami in the Heavenly Rock Cave (Ama-no-Iwato) and the elaborate stratagem devised by the eight million kami to lure her back into the world. This event represents a cosmic crisis—the sun goddess's withdrawal plunged the world into perpetual darkness, allowing evil spirits and calamities to run rampant.

The Crisis: Amaterasu Hides in the Cave

The crisis began with the outrages committed by Amaterasu's brother, Susanoo-no-Mikoto. Though he had proven his good intentions through a ritual contest, Susanoo's wild nature led him to commit terrible acts against his sister's domain. He destroyed her rice paddies, defiled her sacred halls with excrement, and ultimately threw a flayed horse through the roof of her weaving hall, causing the death of one of her attendants (or, in some versions, causing Amaterasu herself to be wounded by her loom's shuttle).

Horrified, grieving, and enraged by these violations of sacred space and life, Amaterasu withdrew into the Heavenly Rock Cave, sealing the entrance with a massive boulder. With the sun goddess hidden, her light vanished from the world. Heaven and earth fell into perpetual night. Without the sun's blessing, rice fields withered, evil spirits emerged to wreak havoc, and calamities multiplied. The cosmic order itself was threatened—if Amaterasu did not return, all existence would fall into chaos and darkness.

The Divine Council and the Stratagem

The eight million kami (yaoyorozu no kami—a number indicating innumerability rather than a literal count) gathered in the dry riverbed of the Tranquil River of Heaven (Ame-no-Yasukawa) to deliberate on this crisis. They recognized that force would not work—they could not compel the sun goddess, and even if they could break into the cave, doing so would only deepen her hurt and anger. Instead, they needed to lure her out willingly by awakening her curiosity.

Two deities were particularly instrumental in devising the stratagem: Omoikane-no-Mikoto (the god of wisdom and intelligence) and Tajikarao-no-Mikoto (the god of strength). Omoikane conceived the plan while Tajikarao would provide the physical might needed at the crucial moment. Their strategy required creating an elaborate deception—the gods would stage a celebration so joyous that Amaterasu would wonder what could possibly warrant such festivities in her absence.

The Forging of the Sacred Mirror

Central to this plan was the creation of a mirror that could reflect Amaterasu's own divine radiance back to her. The deity Ishikoridome-no-Mikoto (whose name means "Stone-Coagulating Elder") was charged with crafting this mirror. As a divine smith specializing in metalworking and mirror-making, Ishikoridome possessed the knowledge to create an artifact of supreme quality.

According to the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, Ishikoridome worked with Amatsumara, the heavenly blacksmith, gathering the finest metals available to the kami. The exact process of the mirror's creation varies between accounts, but certain elements remain consistent:

Some traditions specify that Ishikoridome made multiple mirrors, with only the final one achieving the perfection necessary for their purpose. The earlier, imperfect attempts were discarded or given away; some legends suggest these lesser mirrors fell to earth and became the prototypes for mortal mirror-making. The perfected mirror, Yata no Kagami, possessed a reflective quality so pure that it could capture and return even divine radiance without diminishment.

The Sacred Sakaki Tree and the Arrangement

Once the mirror was complete, the gods prepared their stratagem. They uprooted a sacred sakaki tree (Cleyera japonica—an evergreen tree significant in Shinto ritual) from the Heavenly Mount Kagu. On this tree they arranged three sets of sacred objects:

• On the upper branches: Yasakani no Magatama, the sacred curved jewels
• On the middle branches: Yata no Kagami, the newly forged mirror
• On the lower branches: white cloth offerings and hemp streamers

The tree was positioned directly in front of the Rock Cave's entrance. The mirror hung from the branches at precisely the right height and angle to catch Amaterasu's face when she eventually peered out. The gods then assembled their other components: Uzume-no-Mikoto prepared her dance, chanticleer birds were gathered to crow, and torches were lit to provide illumination in the darkness.

The Luring of Amaterasu

With all prepared, the eight million kami gathered before the cave entrance and began their celebration. Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto (the goddess of dawn, mirth, and meditation) performed an ecstatic dance, becoming divinely possessed and gradually removing her clothing. Her erotic performance caused the eight million kami to roar with laughter, their joy shaking the heavens.

Inside the cave, Amaterasu heard the commotion and grew curious. She had expected the world to mourn her absence, yet instead she heard celebration and laughter. Unable to contain her curiosity, she called out, asking why the gods were rejoicing when her withdrawal should have left everything in darkness and despair.

Uzume replied (as planned) that they had found a deity even more glorious than Amaterasu to replace her, and thus they celebrated. At this, Amaterasu's curiosity overcame her grief and anger. She opened the cave door slightly wider to see this new, supposedly superior deity.

At that moment, the gods held up the sacred mirror before her. For the first time, Amaterasu saw her own divine radiance reflected back—the brilliant light of the sun goddess herself, captured and returned by the perfect mirror. Transfixed by this sight (and not realizing it was her own reflection), she leaned forward to see better.

This was the moment the gods had planned for. As Amaterasu emerged further from the cave, Tajikarao-no-Mikoto, the strong god who had been hiding beside the entrance, seized her hand and pulled her completely out of the cave. Immediately, Futodama-no-Mikoto stretched a sacred rope (shimenawa) across the cave entrance, declaring that Amaterasu could not retreat beyond this boundary again.

Thus, through cleverness, celebration, and the sacred mirror's power to capture divine light, the sun goddess was returned to the world. Light flooded heaven and earth once more. Evil spirits fled back into darkness. The rice fields revived. Cosmic order was restored. And the mirror that had been central to this stratagem became recognized as one of the supreme sacred treasures, forever associated with Amaterasu herself.

The Mirror as Amaterasu's Spirit-Body

From this origin, Yata no Kagami transcended being merely an object. Because it had reflected Amaterasu's own divine radiance and played the key role in her return, the mirror became identified with the goddess herself. When she later bestowed it upon her grandson Ninigi with the instruction to revere it as her own spirit, this was not metaphor but theological reality—the mirror was and is Amaterasu's presence in the world, the means by which she dwells among her descendants and continues to bless the land of Japan.

As the shintai (spirit-body) of Amaterasu Omikami and the most sacred of the Three Imperial Treasures, Yata no Kagami possesses powers that are primarily spiritual and symbolic rather than martial. Its abilities center on divine presence, truth, legitimacy, and the maintenance of cosmic order.

Limitations and Sacred Boundaries

Unlike weapons that can be wielded or magical objects that grant powers to their possessors, Yata no Kagami's power operates through veneration rather than use. The mirror is not handled, not gazed upon, not employed for any practical purpose. Its power manifests through proper enshrinement, correct ritual, and continuous reverence.

The mirror must remain at Ise Shrine under the care of the shrine's hereditary priesthood. Moving it improperly or attempting to use it as a tool would be sacrilege of the highest order. Even the emperor may not look upon it or touch it directly. This restriction is not merely traditional but theologically necessary—the mirror's power depends on maintaining proper boundaries between divine and human.

Additionally, the mirror's benefits extend primarily to those who maintain proper relationship with it through ritual and reverence. It protects the nation, but this protection operates through the continuity of traditional practices. If the rituals were abandoned or the mirror desecrated, its protective power would presumably cease, bringing calamity.

Amaterasu Omikami - The Sun Goddess

Amaterasu Omikami ("Great August Deity Illuminating Heaven") is the supreme deity in Shinto tradition, goddess of the sun and ruler of the High Plain of Heaven (Takama-ga-hara). As the most important kami in the Japanese pantheon and the ancestral deity of the imperial family, her significance to Japanese religion, culture, and national identity cannot be overstated.

Born from the left eye of Izanagi during his purification ritual after returning from the underworld, Amaterasu embodies light, order, cultivation, and civilization. She rules heaven and radiates light over earth, ensuring the cycles of day and night, the seasons, and the agricultural abundance upon which civilization depends.

Her relationship with Yata no Kagami is unique among deity-object relationships in world mythology. The mirror is not merely her symbol or her gift—it IS her in a very literal theological sense. Her declaration that her descendants should revere the mirror as they would revere her personally established an identity between goddess and object that remains central to Shinto theology.

Amaterasu's worship centers at Ise Grand Shrine, which houses the mirror in its innermost sanctuary. The shrine is rebuilt every twenty years in the Shikinen Sengu ceremony, ensuring both the preservation of ancient architectural knowledge and the renewal of the sacred space. This periodic renewal while maintaining continuity mirrors broader themes in Shinto—the coexistence of permanence and change, the preservation of tradition through careful recreation.

Ishikoridome-no-Mikoto - The Divine Mirror-Maker

Ishikoridome-no-Mikoto, whose name means "Stone-Coagulating Old Man," is the deity who forged Yata no Kagami. As the patron god of mirror-makers and metalworkers, Ishikoridome possesses divine knowledge of metallurgy, casting, and crafting. He represents the transformation of raw materials into objects of spiritual power through sacred skill.

According to tradition, Ishikoridome is the ancestor of the Kagami-tsukuri clan, hereditary mirror-makers who served at Ise Shrine and other important sacred sites. This divine ancestry legitimized their specialized craft and ensured that mirror-making was understood as a sacred art, not merely a trade.

Major Myths Involving the Mirror

Divine Presence and Immanence

Yata no Kagami represents one of the most direct expressions of divine immanence in any religious tradition. Unlike symbols that merely represent deities or relics that once belonged to them, the mirror IS Amaterasu in Shinto theology. This identification between object and deity offers a unique solution to the theological problem of divine presence—how can an infinite, transcendent being be present in the finite, material world?

The mirror answers this through the concept of shintai (god-body): the deity manifests through specific objects or natural features. These are not mere representations but actual locations of divine presence. When worshipers approach Ise Shrine, they are not visiting a place that reminds them of Amaterasu—they are entering the actual presence of the sun goddess herself, who dwells there through the mirror.

Truth, Self-Knowledge, and Clear Seeing

Mirrors in Japanese culture symbolize truth and honesty because they reflect reality without distortion. The Japanese word for mirror, kagami, can be written with characters that break down to mean "the gods see" or "clear/pure spirit." Looking into a mirror means confronting reality as it is, seeing oneself truthfully without illusion.

Yata no Kagami, as the perfect mirror, represents ultimate truth—the divine perspective that sees all things clearly. For the emperor, possessing the mirror symbolizes the duty to see situations accurately, to judge wisely based on reality rather than delusion, and to act with integrity. The mirror reminds the ruler that all deeds are seen truly, that nothing can be hidden from divine observation, and that self-deception leads to calamity.

This connects to the Confucian concept of "rectification of names"—the idea that good governance requires seeing things as they truly are and calling them by their correct names. A ruler who cannot see clearly will make poor decisions. The mirror, representing wisdom among the Three Treasures, ensures that imperial authority is exercised with clear understanding.

Reflection and Self-Cultivation

The famous story of Amaterasu seeing her own reflection in the mirror carries profound symbolic meaning. She was drawn from isolation by confronting her own divine radiance—by recognizing herself. This suggests that self-knowledge is essential to fulfilling one's nature and destiny.

For the imperial line descended from Amaterasu, the mirror serves as a reminder of their divine origin. Looking into it (metaphorically, since no one actually sees it) means remembering who they are, what they represent, and their sacred duty. The mirror calls the emperor to live up to their highest nature, to reflect the divine qualities of their ancestress.

More broadly, the mirror symbolizes the Japanese ideal of self-cultivation and improvement. Just as one looks in a mirror to ensure proper appearance before entering sacred space, one must examine oneself morally and spiritually to ensure fitness for one's role in society. The mirror represents the reflective consciousness that enables growth.

Purity and Pollution

In Shinto thought, purity (kiyome) and pollution (kegare) are fundamental categories. Mirrors are associated with purity—they are clear, bright, reflective, untainted. At many Shinto shrines, worshipers look into mirrors before entering to symbolically check their ritual purity.

Yata no Kagami represents absolute purity—the standard against which all else is measured. Its presence at Ise Shrine makes that location the purest site in Japan, requiring the most stringent purification protocols for those who serve there. The mirror cannot be polluted or corrupted; it remains eternally pure regardless of the imperfect world around it.

This unchanging purity offers spiritual reassurance—no matter how chaotic or corrupt the world becomes, the mirror endures as a fixed point of perfection. It represents the possibility of return to purity, the standard toward which purification rituals aspire.

National Identity and Cultural Continuity

Yata no Kagami, along with the other imperial regalia, provides Japan with a unique form of national identity grounded in unbroken continuity from mythological origins. The mirror physically embodies this continuity—allegedly the same object held by Amaterasu in the Age of Gods, given to Ninigi at his descent, passed to Emperor Jimmu, and maintained through 126 imperial reigns to the present.

This continuity distinguishes Japanese national identity from forms based on territory, ethnicity, or political ideology. The nation is defined by its relationship to the sacred—specifically, by the unbroken chain connecting present-day Japan to its mythological origins through the imperial line and the regalia. The mirror is the physical proof and guarantee of this connection.

During periods of crisis—the Mongol invasions, the Sengoku period civil wars, the Meiji Restoration, World War II and its aftermath—the continuity represented by the mirror provided stability. Even when political structures changed radically, the mirror remained, ensuring that something essential about Japanese identity persisted.

The Hidden Sacred

Perhaps most significantly, Yata no Kagami represents the Shinto principle that the deepest sacred things must remain hidden. The mirror has not been seen for over a millennium, and this concealment is theologically necessary, not merely practical. In Shinto thought, excessive exposure profanes the sacred. Mystery must be preserved.

This differs markedly from Western religious traditions where display of holy objects (saints' relics, consecrated hosts, sacred texts) is often important. In Shinto, the innermost holy of holies remains forever veiled. The mirror exists in a state of sacred potential—known through faith and tradition rather than empirical observation.

This concealment teaches that not everything can or should be known. Some truths must be accepted on faith. Some mysteries should remain mysterious. The mirror's power derives partly from its invisibility— it cannot be analyzed, measured, or verified, only believed in and revered. This represents a worldview where spiritual realities transcend material proof.

Anime and Manga

Yata no Kagami appears frequently in Japanese popular culture, often as an artifact of immense power or spiritual significance:

• Naruto: Itachi Uchiha wields a spiritual weapon called "Yata no Kagami," depicted as an ethereal shield that can change its properties to defend against any attack, referencing the mirror's associations with truth and protection.
• Fate/Grand Order and the Fate series: Features the imperial regalia prominently, with Yata no Kagami appearing as a Noble Phantasm (legendary artifact) with powers related to truth-seeing and divine authority.
• Okami: This game, which extensively explores Japanese mythology, features mirror imagery prominently, with the protagonist Amaterasu using mirrors as key items and the Three Sacred Treasures appearing in the storyline.
• Noragami: References the imperial regalia and the mirror's connection to Amaterasu as central elements of divine authority in the spirit world.
• Touhou Project: Features characters and storylines based on Japanese mythology, with references to Yata no Kagami and its connection to truth and reflection.

Video Games

• Final Fantasy series: Various entries feature Yata no Kagami as a legendary shield or accessory, often providing protection against status ailments or magical attacks, referencing its defensive spiritual properties.
• Okami: Central to the game's mechanics and story, as the protagonist is Amaterasu herself, and mirror imagery pervades the game's Buddhist/Shinto aesthetic.
• Nioh and Nioh 2: Features the imperial regalia as extremely powerful artifacts, with Yata no Kagami appearing as a guardian spirit or talisman with protective properties.
• Persona series: References Yata no Kagami in connection with characters or personas related to truth, wisdom, and Japanese mythology.
• Warriors Orochi series: Incorporates Japanese mythological elements including references to the sacred treasures.
• Puzzle & Dragons: Features Yata no Kagami as a sacred item with light-based or defensive properties.

Religious and Cultural Practice

Beyond fictional depictions, Yata no Kagami remains central to living religious practice:

• Ise Grand Shrine: Over ten million visitors annually make pilgrimage to Ise, many motivated specifically by the shrine's status as the location of Yata no Kagami. While they cannot see the mirror, its presence sanctifies the entire complex.
• Imperial ceremonies: Every emperor's enthronement includes rituals involving the Three Sacred Treasures. Though replicas are used for the public ceremony (the original never leaves Ise), the symbolism remains central to legitimizing imperial succession.
• Shinto shrines: Nearly every Shinto shrine includes a mirror as its shintai or as a ritual object, directly reflecting the prototype of Yata no Kagami. These mirrors serve as focal points for divine presence, following the model established by the sacred mirror.
• Personal practice: Many Japanese keep small mirrors as spiritual objects in home shrines (kamidana), understanding them as representations of purity, truth, and divine presence.

Literature and Scholarship

• Historical novels: Works set in various Japanese historical periods often reference the imperial regalia and debates over succession legitimacy, with the mirror as the ultimate arbiter of rightful rule.
• Academic studies: Extensive scholarly literature examines the imperial regalia's role in Japanese political theology, national identity, and the relationship between Shinto religion and state power.
• Cultural criticism: Modern Japanese writers and thinkers often use the mirror as a metaphor for examining Japanese identity, particularly questions about the relationship between tradition and modernity.

Symbolic Usage in Modern Contexts

• Truth and honesty: The phrase "holding up a mirror" to society or oneself derives from the mirror's association with truth-telling and clear seeing.
• Self-reflection: Japanese educational and corporate culture emphasizes self-examination (hansei), often using mirror imagery to represent this introspective practice.
• Purity and quality: High-quality products or practices may be described using mirror imagery to suggest perfection, purity, or authenticity.
• National identity: During debates about Japanese identity, tradition, and national direction, the imperial regalia and especially Yata no Kagami often appear as symbols of essential "Japaneseness" that transcends political divisions.

Comparative Mythology and Interfaith Dialogue

In discussions of comparative mythology and world religions, Yata no Kagami often appears as:

• An example of how material objects can embody divine presence across different religious traditions
• A contrast with iconoclastic traditions that reject physical representations of the divine
• A parallel to other sacred objects that legitimate political authority (Holy Lance, Stone of Scone, etc.)
• An illustration of how mystery and concealment can enhance rather than diminish sacred power

The Other Sacred Treasures of Japan

• Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi (Grass-Cutting Sword): Found in the tail of Yamata no Orochi, enshrined at Atsuta Shrine, represents valor
• Yasakani no Magatama (Curved Jewel): Created by the deity Tamanooya-no-Mikoto, kept in the Imperial Palace, represents benevolence

Other Sacred Mirrors in Japanese Tradition

• Mirrors in Shinto shrines: Nearly every shrine contains a mirror as shintai or ritual object, modeled after Yata no Kagami
• Bronze mirrors from Kofun period: Archaeological mirrors that may represent historical prototypes or ritual parallels to the mythological mirror
• Kagami-mochi: Round rice cakes offered at New Year that take their name from and symbolize the sacred mirror

Sacred Mirrors and Reflective Objects in Other Cultures

• The Mirror of Erised (Harry Potter): Shows the deepest desires of the viewer, using mirror symbolism for self-knowledge
• The Mirror of Galadriel (Tolkien): Shows past, present, and possible futures, representing truth-seeing
• Merlin's Crystal Cave mirrors (Arthurian): Mystical mirrors showing distant events and hidden truths
• The Magic Mirror (Snow White): Truth-telling mirror that cannot lie, though used for evil purposes
• Mirrors in Chinese mythology: Various magic mirrors that reveal spirits, demons, or hidden truths
• Aztec smoking mirrors: Obsidian mirrors used for divination and associated with Tezcatlipoca

Other Imperial Regalia from World Cultures

• British Crown Jewels: Including St. Edward's Crown, representing monarchical authority
• French coronation regalia: Including the Crown of Charlemagne and royal sword
• Holy Roman Empire regalia: Including the Imperial Crown and Holy Lance
• Iranian royal regalia: Including the Kiani Crown of ancient Persia
• Thai royal regalia: Including the Great Crown of Victory and sacred sword

Objects Embodying Divine Presence

• Ark of the Covenant (Judaism): Container for divine presence among the Israelites
• Ka'aba's Black Stone (Islam): Sacred stone within Islam's holiest site
• Buddha's relics: Physical remains of the Buddha enshrined in stupas
• Christian Eucharist: Bread and wine believed to become Christ's body and blood
• Hindu murtis: Consecrated images that embody divine presence