Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto (月読尊) or Tsukuyomi (月読), is the moon god in Shinto and Japanese mythology. The name "Tsukuyomi" is a compound of the Old Japanese words tsuku (月, "moon, month", becoming modern Japanese tsuki) and yomi (読み, "reading, counting"). The Nihon Shoki mentions this name spelled as Tsukuyumi (月弓, "moon bow"), but this yumi is likely a variation in pronunciation of yomi. An alternative interpretation is that his name is a combination of tsukiyo (月夜, "moonlit night") and mi (見, "looking, watching").
Unlike the myths of ancient Greece or Rome, the Japanese moon deity is male. This is clear in the earliest mentions in sources such as the Kojiki and the Man'yōshū, where Tsukuyomi's name is sometimes rendered as Tsukuyomi Otoko (月讀壮士, "moon reading man") or as Tsukihito Otoko (月人壮士, "moon person man").
Family[]
Tsukuyomi was born when the god Izanagi washed his right eye. He is the brother of Amaterasu and Susano-o who were born at the same time. He was once married to Amaterasu.
In Mythology[]
Separation of Night and Day[]
For a time, Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu were married, and the moon and sun shared the same sky. However, when the food goddess Uke Mochi created food from her body, Tsukuyomi killed her in a fit of disgust. Becasue of this, Amaterasu separated from Tsukuyomi and so day and night became separate.
In Popular Culture[]
Many modern depictions of Tsukuyomi are of a female version of the moon god.
Literature[]
- He is an important diety in the light novel and manga for Tsuki ga Michibiku Isekai Douchuu (Moonlit Journey Across Another World).
Television[]
- In Naruto, Tsukuyomi is the name of a technique in which when someone looks in the users eyes, they will be placed under an illusion and experience days of torture within seconds.
- In Tsuki ga Michibiku Isekai Douchuu, Tsukuyomi is an important diety.
- In Tsubasa Chronicle, Tsukuyomi is the name of Princess Tomoyo of Nihon Country.
Games[]
- He appears as a demon in the Shin Megami no Tensei series
- There is a card in Shadowverse for Tsukuyomi
- Tsukuyomi has a robotic appearance in the God Eater video game.
- In FFXIV, Tsukuyomi appears as a woman.
| Japanese mythology | |
|---|---|
| Mythic Texts | Kojiki • Nihon Shoki |
| Japanese Creation Myth | Kotoamatsukami • Kamiyonanayo • Kuniumi • Kamiumi • Izanagi-no-Mikoto • Izanami-no-Mikoto • Kagutsuchi • Watatsumi |
| Takamagahara Mythology | Amaterasu • Susano-o • Tsukuyomi • Ame-no-Uzume |
| Izumo Mythology | Yamato no Orochi • Hare of Inaba • Ōkuninushi |
| Hyuga Mythology | Tenson korin • Ninigi • Konohanasakuya-hime • Hoderi • Hoori • Toyotama-hime • Ugayafukiaezu |
| Human Age | Emperor Jimmu • Kesshi Hachidai |
| Mystical Locations | Ryugu-jo • Takamagahara • Amano-Iwato • Yomi • Ashihara no Nakatsukuni |
| Major Buddhist Figures | Amida Nyorai • Daruma • Five Wisdoms Buddhas • Akuma/Mara |
| Seven Lucky Deities | Benzaiten • Bishamonten • Daikokuten • Ebisu • Fukurokuju • Hotei • Jurojin • Kichijoten |