4.JAPANESE MYTH AND RITUALSEMPEROR AND RICE CULTIVATION
Izanaki no mikoto Izanami no mikoto High Heavenly Plain
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Amaterasu oho mi kami(Sun goddess) Susanoo no mikoto Tsukuyomi no mikoto(Moon goddess)
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Ame no oshihomimi no mikoto
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Ninigi no mikoto(Sumemima no mikoto, Sovereign Grandchild)
| descended to the Central Land of Reed Plain
Hikohohodemi no mikoto
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Ukayafukiahezu no mikoto
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Emperor(Sumemima no mikoto) Jimmu
Let us give an outline of a version of the Japanese Myth. In the Age of the Kami, the mythological age, Izanaki no mikoto and Izanami no mikoto descended from the High Heavenly Plain, and gave birth to the island of Japan, and all things, including many kami. Three of the kami were the most august : one is the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu omikami, the kami of the High Heavenly Plain; another is her brother, Susanoo no mikoto who was in charge of the earth; and finaly, the Moon Goddess, Tsukuyomi no mikoto, who was the kami of the realm of darkness.
The brother, Susanoo no mikoto, however, behaved so badly and committed so many outrages that Amaterasu omikami became angry and hide herself in a celestial cave, which caused the heaven and earth to become darkened. Astonished at this, the heavenly kami put on an entertainment, including dancing, which brought her out of the cave; and thus light returned to the world. For his bad behavior the brother was banished to the lower world, where by his good behavior he returned to the favor of the other kami, and a descendant of his, the kami of Izumo, became an very benevolent kami, who ruled over the Great Eight Island, Japan and blessed the people.