Amaterasu

The Shinto sun goddess Amaterasu, from whom the Japanese imperial line claims descent, is venerated at Akakura Mountain Shrine.

The Kojiki recounts an episode in which Amaterasu, offended by the defiliments of Susano, retires into a cave, depriving heaven of her light. She is lured out by other gods, who errect a mirror at the cave's mouth, convincing her that she is confronted by a beautiful rival.

According to some accounts, the site of Akakura Mountain Shrine was determined through a revelatory vision of Amaterasu descending as a ray of golden light from the sky.

Amaterasu's presence is evoked each year at the Mountain Opening ceremony, as the congregation raises a sacred rice straw rope upon which is affixed the Japanese national flag, the Hinomaru, centered on the sign of the rising sun.