In Shinto, Kotoamatsukami (別天神, literally “distinguishing heavenly kami“) is the collective name for the first gods which came into existence at the time of the creation of the universe. They were born in Takamagahara, the world of Heaven at the time of the creation. Unlike the later gods, these deities were born without any procreation.
Deities
The first three deities (Zoka-Sanshin) are:
Amenominakanushi (天之御中主神)
Ame-no-Minakanushi (アメノミナカヌシ, lit. “Lord of the August Center of Heaven”) is a deity (kami) in Japanese mythology, portrayed in the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki as the very first or one of the first deities that created heaven and earth came into existence.
Takamimusubi (高御産巣日神)
Takamimusubi (高御産巣日神, lit. “High Creator”) is a god of agriculture in Japanese mythology, who was the second of the first beings to come into existence.
Kamimusubi (神産巣日神)
Kamimusubi (神産巣日) is a kami in Japanese mythology and the third of the first three kami to come into existence (Kotoamatsukami). While kamimusubi is a amatsukami, Kamimusuhi has strong connection to kunitsukami in Izumo tradition.
The other 2 deities are:
Umashi’ashikabihikoji (宇摩志阿斯訶備比古遅神)
In Kojiki, it is described as the god created by matter growing like budding reed, after the appearance of Zoka-sanshin (three gods of creation), when the world on earth was like oil floating on water, drifting around in chaos like jellyfish. In other words, it is the fourth god. It is not described in the main body of the Nihonshoki.
Amenotokotachi (天之常立神)
Amenotokotachi no Kami is a god (Shinto) appearing in the Japanese mythology. Amenotokotachi no Kami was the last one to come into being as the five Kotoamatsu Kami (separate heavenly deities). He was regarded as Hitorigami (god without gender), and hid himself away just after coming into being.
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