Amenominakanushi (天御中主 "[url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tian]All-Father[/url] of the Originating Hub", or 天之御中主神 "Heavenly Ancestral God of the Originating Heart of the Universe") is, according to the [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kojiki]Kojiki[/url], the first [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kami]kami[/url], and the [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolute_(philosophy)]source of the universe[/url] according to Shintoism.[2] In [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_mythology]mythology[/url] he is described as a "god who came into being alone" ([url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitorigami]hitorigami[/url]), the first of the zōka sanshin ("three kami of creation"), and one of the five [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kotoamatsukami]kotoamatsukami[/url] ("distinguished heavenly gods").[2] Amenominakanushi had been considered a concept developed under the influence of [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_philosophy]Chinese thought[/url],[2] but now most scholars believe otherwise.[3] With the flourishing of [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokugaku]kokugaku[/url] the concept was studied by scholars.[2] The theologian [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirata_Atsutane]Hirata Atsutane[/url] identified Amenominakanushi as the spirit of the [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Star]North Star[/url], master of the seven stars of the [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Dipper]Big Dipper[/url].[2] The god was emphasised by the Daikyōin in the [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_period]Meiji period[/url], and worshiped by some Shinto sects.[2] The god manifests in a duality, a male and a female function, respectively Takamimusubi and Kamimusubi.[4] In other mythical accounts the originating kami is called Umashiashikabihikoji ("God of the Ashi [Reed]") or Kuninotokotachi (the "God Founder of the Nation"), the latter used in the [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nihon_Shoki]Nihon Shoki[/url].[5] With the [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinbutsu_bunri]shinbutsu bunri[/url] the deity of Buddhist origin [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myoken]Myoken[/url], the "North Star", which was worshiped at many shrines, was changed to Amenominakanushi.[2] [spoiler]References Kitagawa, 1987. p. 29, note 92 a b c d e f g Amenominakanushi. Encyclopedia of Shinto. 匝瑤 葵「宇宙を構成する古事記の別天神―出雲大社の天空神」 『アジア遊学』No.121, pp.94-101, 勉誠出版, 2009年 Kitagawa, 1987. p. 29 Kitagawa, 1987. pp. 28-29[/spoiler]