noun-modifying (irregular)
Archaic prenominal modifier used in classical Japanese, often in poetic or mythological contexts. Appears in fixed expressions like 天つ神 (heavenly gods) or 天つ風 (heavenly wind).
"Amatsu kami" refers to the heavenly gods appearing in Japanese mythology.
The expression "amatsu kaze" (heavenly wind) can be found in old waka poetry.
天津 read てんしん refers to the Chinese city of Tianjin, while the same kanji read あまつ (天つ) is an archaic word meaning 'heavenly'.
heavenly gods; gods of the heavens
celestial maiden; heavenly maiden
emperor
imperial ancestor; divine ancestor of the imperial line
Standard modern spelling for this archaic prenominal form.
Ateji spelling; mainly found in historical or literary contexts.
Derived from Old Japanese 天 (ama, 'heaven') + archaic possessive particle つ (tsu). The exact historical development is uncertain, but it is a fossilized form preserved in classical texts.