Because some myths say that Amaterasu Omikami sought opinions from her elder Amatsu Kami (the god of heaven) about her specific acts-whether they were good or not-and even followed his instructions, some consider that Amaterasu Omikami was a deified Emperor who ruled the country by conducting religious services.
神話中では自分より先に生まれた天津神（タカミムスビ）に行動の是非を伺ったり、その指示に従っている場面も見られることから、天照大神は神に祭祀（まつりごと）を行って国を治める天皇自体の神格化だとみなす考え方もある。