Japanese Fairy World Part 16

In his struggles several G.o.ds were created, one of them coming out of his staff. When he got up to daylight, he secured a large rock to close up the hole in the earth. Turning this rock into a G.o.d, he commanded him to watch the place. He then rushed into the sea and continued washing for a long time to purify himself. In blowing out from his lungs the polluted air inhaled in the Under-world, the two evil G.o.ds sprang forth from his breath. As these would commit great harm and wickedness, Izanagi created two other G.o.ds to correct their evil. But when he had washed his eyes and could see clearly again, there sprang out two precious and lovely beings; one from his left eye, being a rare and glistening maiden, whom he afterwards named Ama Terasu, or "The Heaven Illuminating Spirit." From his right eye appeared Susa no O, the "Ruler of the Moon." Being now pure again, and having these lovely children, Izanagi rejoiced and said, "I have begotten child upon child, and at the end of my begetting, I have begotten me two jewel-children." Now the brightness of the person of the maiden Ama Terasu was beautiful, and shone through Heaven and Earth.

Izanagi, well pleased, said: "Though my children are many, none of them is like this wonder-child. She must not be kept in this region." So taking off the necklace of precious stones from his neck and rattling it, he gave it to her, saying, "Rule thou over the High Plain of Heaven."

At that time the distance between Heaven and Earth was not very great, and he sent her up to the blue sky by the Heaven-uniting Pillar, on which the Heavens rested like a prop. She easily mounted it, and lived in the sun, illuminating the whole Heavens and the Earth. The Sun now gradually separated from the Earth, and both moved farther and farther apart until they rested where they now are.

Izanagi next spoke to Susa no O the Ruler of the Moon, and said, "Rule thou over the new-born Earth and the blue Waste of the Sea, with its Mult.i.tudinous Salt Waters."

[So then the Heavens and the Earth and Moon were created and inhabited.

And as j.a.pan lay directly opposite the sun when it separated from the Earth, it is plain that j.a.pan lies on the summit of the globe. It is easily seen that all other countries were formed by the spontaneous consolidation of the ocean foam, and the collection of mud in the various seas. The stars were made to guide warriors from foreign countries to the court of the Mikado, who is the true Son of Heaven].

HOW THE SUN G.o.dDESS WAS ENTICED OUT OF HER CAVE.

When the far-shining G.o.ddess, on account of the evil pranks of her brother, Susa no O, the Ruler of the Moon, hid herself in a cave, there was no more light, and heaven and earth were plunged into darkness.

A council of all the G.o.ds was held in the dry bed of one of the rivers [which we call the Milky Way] in the fields of Heaven. The question of how to appease the anger of the G.o.ddess was discussed. A long-headed and very wise G.o.d was ordered to think out a plan to entice her forth from the cave.

After due deliberation, it was resolved that a looking-gla.s.s should be made to tempt her to gaze at herself, and that tricks should be played to arouse her curiosity to come out and see what was going on.

So setting to work with a will, the G.o.ds forged and polished a mirror, wove cloth for beautiful garments, built a pavilion, carved a necklace of jewels, made wands, and tried an augury.

All being ready, the fat and rosy-cheeked G.o.ddess of mirth with face full of dimples, and eyes full of fun, named Uzume, was selected to lead the dance. She had a flute made from a bamboo cane by piercing holes between the joints, while every G.o.d in the great orchestra had a pair of flat hard wood clappers, which he struck together.

She bound up her long flowing sleeves with a creeper vine, and made for herself a baton of twigs of bamboo gra.s.s, by which she could direct the motions of the musicians. This she held in one hand while in the other was a spear wound round with gra.s.s, on which small bells tinkled. Great bonfires were lighted in front of the cave, so that the audience of G.o.ds could see the dance. A large circular box which resounded like a drum when trod on, was set up for Uzume to dance upon. The row of c.o.c.ks now began to crow in concert.

All being ready, the Strong-handed G.o.d who was to pull the sun-G.o.ddess out of the cave, as soon as overcome by her curiosity she should peep forth, hid himself beside the stone door of the cave. Uzume mounted the box and began to dance. As the drum-box resounded, the spirit of folly seized her, and she began to chant a song.

Becoming still more foolish, Uzume waved her wand wildly, loosened her dress, and danced till she had not a st.i.tch of clothing left on her. The G.o.ds were so amused at her foolishness that they all laughed, until the heavens shook as with claps of thunder.

The Sun-G.o.ddess within the cave heard all these strange noises; the crowing of the c.o.c.ks, the hammering on the anvil, the chopping of wood, the music of the koto, the clappering of the hard wood, the tinkling of the bells, the shouting of Uzume and the boisterous laughter of the G.o.ds.

Wondering what it all meant, she peeped out.

As she did so the Doubly Beautiful G.o.ddess held up the mirror.

The Far-Shining one seeing her own face in it was greatly astonished.

Curiosity got the better of fear. She looked far out. Instantly the strong-handed G.o.d pulled the rocky door open, and seizing her hand, dragged her forth. Then all the heavens and earth were lightened, the trees and gra.s.s became green again, and the G.o.ddess of colors resumed her work of tinting the flowers. The gloom fled from all eyes, and human beings again became "white-faced."

Thus the calamity which had befallen heaven and earth, by the sun-G.o.ddess hiding in the cave became a means of much benefit to mortals. For by their necessity the G.o.ds were compelled to invent the arts of metal-working, weaving, carpentry, jeweling and many other useful appliances for the human race. They also on this occasion first made use of music, dancing, the Dai Kagura (The comedy which makes the G.o.ds laugh) and many of the games which the children play at the present time.