Amaterasu as a "dragon-fox" (shinko or tatsugitsune) during her descent to the famed cave because it is a type of animal/kami that emits light from its entire body. Relation to women's positions in early Japanese society Because Amaterasu has the highest position among the Shinto deities, there has been debate on her influence and relation to women's positions in early Japanese society. Some scholars have argued that the goddess' presence and high stature within the kami system could suggest that early rulers in Japan were female. Others have argued the goddess' presence implies strong influences female priests had in Japanese politics and religion. See also First sunrise Himiko List of solar deities Zalmoxis Ōkami Amaterasu Tokapcup-kamuy Shinto in popular culture Solar Myths Notes References External links Ise Grand Shrine Japanese goddesses Kumano faith Shinto kami Solar goddesses Sky and weather goddesses Wind goddesses Personifications