The Shinto Pantheon
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Although kami are numerous and varied, a few of these deities are especially important figures in Shinto mythology. The principal deities of the Shinto pantheon are
• Izanagi and Izanami, the first gods, who created the world and many other gods;
• Amaterasu, the sun goddess and heaven’s ruler, whose grandson became the first emperor of Japan, according to tradition;
• Tsuki-Yomi, Amaterasu’s brother, the god of the Moon;
• Susano-Wo, the storm god and brother of Amaterasu. His feud with his sister caused him to be banished from heaven;
• Ninigi-no-Mikoto, the grandson of Amaterasu who was sent to rule the earth.
