Sarutabiko-no-Kami

Sarutabiko-no-Kami (猿田毘古神) is an earthly deity recorded in the Kojiki (712 CE) and Nihon Shoki (720 CE). The Kojiki writes the name as Sarutabiko-no-Kami, Sarutabiko-no-Okami, or Sarutabiko-no-O-no-Kami; the Nihon Shoki writes Sarutahiko-no-Mikoto. He is known as the "White-Bearded Bright Deity" in alternate tradition. He led the procession of Ninigi from the High Plain of Heaven to the central reed-plain country as a guide. In later traditions, he was widely identified with the wayside deity. According to the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki on the heavenly descent, he appeared at the eight-fold crossroads of heaven, illuminating the way from the High Plain to the central reed-plain country with a strange-formed body. Ame-no-Uzume questioned him, revealing him as an earthly deity. The consort is Ame-no-Uzume; the descendants include Ota-no-Mikoto. Principal shrine: Sarutahiko Shrine at Ujiurada, Ise.