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An illustrated guide to the traditional culture of Japan: legends, arts, customs, etc.
Who are the Japanese? Where did they come from? What are the origins of this unique people?
During the eighth century a scribe named Yasumaro compiled--at the behest of the Empress--the oldest traditions that had survived. He produced two books: the Kojiki("Records of Ancient Matters") and the Nihongi("Chronicles of Japan"). These provide information about the earliest days of the nation, and about its cosmological origins.
In the beginning, we are told, the world was a watery mass - a sea that surged in darkness. Over it hung the Bridge of Heaven.
One day Izanagi and Izanami--brother-and-sister deities strolled onto the Bridge. They peered into the abyss below. And Izanagi, wondering what was down there, thrust his spear into the water. As he withdrew it, brine dripped and congealed into a small island.
Izanagi and Izanami descended to the island. And they decided to live there and produce a country.
They began by building a hut, with the spear as center post. The next step was to get married. For a ceremony, Izanagi suggested they walk in opposite directions around the spear and meet on the other side. Izanami agreed. But when they met, she said: "What a lovely young man youare!"
Izanagi grew wrath. The male, he insisted, must always be the first to speak. For Izanami to have done so was improper and unlucky. So they walked around the spear for a second time. "What a lovely maiden you are," said Izanagi as they met.
Now they were wed. And they coupled. And Izanami gave birth to the islands of Japan...to the mountains and plains, rivers and forests ... to the gods and goddesses of those places.
Excerpt:
Who are the Japanese? Where did they come from? What are the origins of this unique people?
During the eighth century a scribe named Yasumaro compiled—at the behest of the Empress—the oldest traditions that had survived. He produced two books: the Kojiki (“Records of Ancient Matters”) and the Nihongi (“Chronicles of Japan”). These provide information about the earliest days of the nation, and about its cosmological origins.
In the beginning, we are told, the world was a watery mass—a sea that surged in darkness. Over it hung the Bridge of Heaven.
One day Izanagi and Izanami—brother-and-sister deities strolled onto the Bridge. They peered into the abyss below. And Izanagi, wondering what was down there, thrust his spear into the water. As he withdrew it, brine dripped and congealed into a small island.
Izanagi and Izanami descended to the island. And they decided to live there and produce a country.
They began by building a hut, with the spear as center post. The next step was to get married. For a ceremony, Izanagi suggested they walk in opposite directions around the spear and meet on the other side. Izanami agreed. But when they met, she said: “What a lovely young man you are!”
Izanagi grew wrath. The male, he insisted, must always be the first to speak. For Izanami to have done so was improper and unlucky. So they walked around the spear for a second time. “What a lovely maiden you are,” said Izana- gi as they met.
Now they were wed. And they coupled. And Izanami gave birth to the islands of Japan…to the mountains and plains, rivers and forests…to the gods and goddesses of those places.
And they created a sun goddess—Amaterasu—and placed her in the sky. For the islands needed a ruler. And they created a moon god, to keep her company. But Ama- terasu and the moon god quarreled. So they decided to separate the pair—one presiding over day, the other over night.
And they created a wind god, to dispel the mist that shrouded the islands. And the islands emerged in splendor. And Amaterasu shone upon them, and reigned as their chief deity.
But a quarrel arose between Amaterasu and the storm god. And in a pique, she withdrew into a cave plunging the islands into darkness. In consternation the gods and goddesses assembled. They discussed how to entice Amaterasu out of the cave. Finally, they came up with a plan.
A mirror was placed in the Sacred Tree. And a party was held—a raucous affair of wine and song. Mounting an overturned tub, the goddess of mirth performed an indecent dance; and the others laughed uproariously at the sight. Amaterasu peeked out of the cave to see what was going on. “Why are you rejoicing?” she asked.
Someone pointed to the mirror, explaining that a goddess more radiant than she had been found. Amaterasu stepped out of the cave for a closer look. And as she gazed upon her own radiance, they grabbed her and shut up the cave.
So Amaterasu resumed her place in the sky, illuminating again the islands of Japan.
But the darkness had left disorder in its wake—had allowed wicked spirits to run rampant. So Amaterasu sent her grandson, Ninigi, to rule over the islands directly. As symbols of authority, she gave him three things: her necklace, a sword, and the mirror that had enticed her out of the cave.
“Descend,” she commanded him, “and rule. And may thy dynasty prosper and endure.”