NINIGI

in full Ninigi No Mikoto, Japanese deity, grandson of the sun goddess Amaterasu. Ninigi's supposed descent to earth established the divine origin of the Yamato clan, the Imperial house of Japan. He is said to have been the great-grandfather of the first emperor, Jimmu. Amaterasu delegated Ninigi to assume ownership and rule of the central land of the reed plains (Japan) and gave him three signs of his charge: a jewel (symbolizing benevolence), a mirror (purity), and Kusanagi, the grass-mowing sword (courage). The jewel, the mirror, and the sword are still the Japanese Imperial symbols. On his descent to earth Ninigi landed on Kyushu, the southernmost of the main islands. Okuninushi no Mikoto, who was already sovereign there, was reluctant to give up his own right to rule but submitted when he was permitted to retain control of secret (religious) affairs, with Ninigi supervising public (political) affairs. Today, Okuninushi remains an important folk deity, while Ninigi is no longer venerated.