Reading Notes: Japanese Mythology, Part A

If you have an interest in Greek myths, you should check out these Japanese myths, too. They feel familiar, but have new cultural elements and characters. It's like being able to re-read one of your favorite books and discovering the story all over again.

Since I decided to go with the theme of reversal with my portfolio, I will be choosing one of the stories in the collection to re-write. However, I'll begin with a recap of the gods--who they are, how they came to be, and the background for the story up to its events. So, possible stories:

Izanagi and Izanami. Izanagi flees from Izanami in the underworld. Instead of escaping, Izanagi is caught by the spirits his wife sends after him. Instead of Izanami vowing to take 1000 lives every day, and Izanagi vowing to give birth to 1500 more, Izanagi is forced to pay as many souls to his wife as a ransom. If Amaterasu, Susanoo, and Tsukuyomi were involved, they might be the ones to free Izanagi from Izanami's control. Or, they could be hostages who Izanagi is trying to free.

The Serpent of Koshi. Susanoo is defeated, and his bride-to-be, Kushinada-hime, tames the serpent instead. So, lacking a husband, but having gained a dragon, Kushinada takes Susanoo's place as the deity of summer storms. The serpent of Koshi could be the one who transports her around on its back, its roars could be thunder, and its eight long necks could evoke an appearance of white thunder.

The Heaven-Descended. In the original, Amaterasu appoints her grandson Ninigi as ruler of Japan. In a reversal, Amaterasu could appoint another of her grandchildren--Uzume, the one who helped to bring Amaterasu back to the sky in the story of the mirror. Uzume is a goddess of joy and happiness, and a patron of good health, which she shares with people who drink from her blessed stream. Uzume is sometimes called the Daughter of Heaven, which I think would make her a fitting ruler.

Sources:


Romance of Old Japan, Part I: Mythology and Legend, by E. W. Champney and F. Champney
Encyclopedia Mythica: Uzume, by Micha Lindemans

Image:
Uzume with Rooster and Mirror
Frilled Shark by OpenCage