or , is a god in Japanese mythology. (no-Mikoto here is an honorific title applied to the names of Japanese gods; Ninigi is the specific god's name.) Grandson of the sun goddess Amaterasu, Ninigi is regarded according to Japanese mythology as the great-grandfather of Japan’s first emperor, Emperor Jimmu. The three sacred treasures brought with Ninigi from Heaven and divine ancestry established the Japanese Imperial Family.
The Encyclopedia of Shinto states that the three generations of kami starting with Ninigi are sometimes referred to as the Three Generations of Hyūga: they are said to represent a transitional period between the heavenly kami and the first emperor.
Name and etymology
Ninigi-no-Mikoto (瓊瓊杵尊) means "The Great God Ninigi". Another name of his is Ame-nigishi-kuni-nigishi-amatsuhiko-hiko-ho-no-ninigi-no-Mikoto (天邇岐志国邇岐志天津日高日子番能邇邇芸命) or "The Great God Ninigi, of the Imperial State, The Child of the Sun of Many Talents". Ninigi is speculated to be translated as "beloved jeweled mallet".
Sent to rule
Depending on the version Amaterasu sends Ninigi to rule either after his father refuses the offer, after several failures, or to replace Ōkuninushi after his troubled rule.
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In many stories, Ninigi receives three gifts. The sword Kusanagi no Tsurugi, the mirror Yata no Kagami, and the jewel Yasakani no Magatama.
Descent to earth
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Ninigi's descent to earth appears in both the Nihon Shoki and the Kojiki. In an earlier version of the Nihon Shoki Ninigi descends to earth unaccompanied.
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Ninigi tries to go to earth but he is blocked by Sarutahiko. Uzume then persuades Sarutahiko to let Ninigi pass.
In most versions Ninigi descents to earth landing on to Mt. Takachiho hi located on the island of Kyushu in Kagoshima Prefecture where Ninigi built his palace.
Loss of immortality
One story involves Ninigi looking for a wife; he meets the mountain god Oyamatsumi, Oyamatsumi presents Ninigi his two daughters Sakuyahime and Iwanagahime. However, Ninigi accepts Sakuyahime but rejects Iwanagahime due to her ugliness and is cursed for rejecting her. Going forward, he and his descendants would live shorter lives from now on.
Birth of Ninigi’s children
Soon after Ninigi and Sakuyahime got married, Sakuyahime got pregnant in just one night.
Ninigi accused his wife Sakuyahime of adultery. In many versions his wife Sakuyahime decided to go in to a hut and set the hut on fire to prove that she was a faithful wife. Sakuyahime and her sons survived, she gave birth to three sons named Hoderi, Hosusero, and Hoori.
One variation says that Sakuyahime gave birth to Hoderi in the hut and had the other two sons later.
Death
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Later on, Ninigi died and was buried at E no Goriyo. Ninigi is said to be the nephew to Futodama and Ame no Koyane.
Ninigi is in the Three generations of Hyuga, a time period between Tenson kōrin and Jimmu's Eastern Expedition.
Worship of Ninigi
Shrines
Ninigi has very few temples where he is enshrined.
Shrines like Amatsu Shrine and Kirishima-jingu Shrine are dedicated to Ninigi. At Ise shrine, Ninigi is said to be worshipped along with Kuni no Tokotachi.