Japanese Myths and Legends
- Feb 1, 2018
- 1 min read
As mentioned previously I took great inspiration from F. Hadland Davis’ anthropology on Japanese folklore. The story that resignated with me most was that of the original gods Izanagi and Izanami and their children.
Ama-terasu the Sun Goddess (Heaven-Illumine-of-Great-Diety), Tsuki-yumi the Mood God and Susa-no-o (Impetuous Male) and the Fire God Kagu-tsuchi.
Throughout the years many tales have been told about these gods and godesses. The famous tale of Ama-terasu and Tsuki-yumi and their great falling out leading to the sun and moon never meeting is but one of them. As many of these influenced the culture they begame an important part of the Shinto ideology. Reading 'Understanding Shinto' by C. Scott Litteton, it stated the origins of Shinto lie deep in the ancient past. Some of the oldest Japanese texts Kojiki and the Nihonshoki tell the story of Izanagi and Izanami and their hosts of Kami (dietys) one of which becoming the first Emperor Jimmu Tenno.
I wanted to show the seperation of Shinto believes from Buddism as that was introduced a few years after my set would be set, it is for that reason I thought it would be fitting to start with the earliest writings.
Comments