Sarutahiko-no-Mikoto

Sarutahiko-no-Mikoto is a Shinto deity regarded as the foremost among the earthly kami, the kunitsukami. He embodies the principles of purification, strength, and guidance, and is also venerated as the patron deity of martial arts, including aikido. In the Ise region he was revered even as a solar deity who illuminated both heaven and earth, predating the worship of Amaterasu among local devotees.

He is enshrined at several important sites, most notably Tsubaki Grand Shrine in Mie Prefecture, Sarutahiko Jinja in Ise, and Ōasahiko Shrine in Tokushima Prefecture. His title Daimyōjin — meaning the great and radiant deity — reflects the high esteem in which he is held. The founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, regarded him as the divine embodiment of cosmic life force and the spirit of Aiki itself.

In the mythology recorded in the Nihon Shoki, Sarutahiko stood at the crossroads between heaven and earth when Ninigi-no-Mikoto descended from the heavenly plain. He is depicted as a towering figure with a long nose, ruddy face, great beard, and a jeweled spear. He was eventually persuaded to allow Ninigi to pass by the dance goddess Ame-no-Uzume, whom he later married; together they gave rise to the Sarume clan and the traditions of kagura and Noh performance.