Amaterasu-ōmikami is the sun goddess in Japanese mythology and one of the principal deities in the Shinto religion. She is considered the ruler of the heavens and is associated with light, fertility, and agriculture. According to legend, she was born from the left eye of the primordial deity Izanagi and is revered as the ancestor of the Japanese imperial family. Amaterasu is best known for her story of retreating into a cave, which caused the world to plunge into darkness. The other gods devised a plan to lure her out, restoring light to the world. Her significance is celebrated in various festivals, including the Aoi Matsuri and Gion Matsuri.