5 Famous Japanese Legends
Japanese Myths
Legends have served as a means of rationalizing the world and providing clarity for the habits and customs of a given culture. Whether it is about the origin of the universe, politics, or holidays and festivals, the following myths have shaped Japanese cosmogony and are an integral part of local folklore.
1. Izanagi and Izanami, the story of Japan
From the first book written in Japanese, the Kojiki (called "Records of Ancient Matters"), the story of Izanagi and Izanami are the main figures in the legend of the birth of Japan. Kojiki is still the foundation and source of worship in the Shinto religion in Japan.
During the rescue, as Izanami was taking too long to get out of the palace of darkness, Izanagi made a torch with one of his wife's comb teeth and entered the palace. And it was there, in the light of the torch, that he saw Izanami's decomposing body.
Humiliated, the latter then sent the spirits of the world of the dead to pursue her. Izanagi narrowly escaped them, and forever sealed the way that linked the world of the dead to that of the living.
2. Amaterasu cave, a sacred place in Japan
Goddess of the sun, Amaterasu has always been in competition with her brother Susanoo, the god of storms.
Not content with reigning over the seas, Susanoo one day set out to claim part of the domain of the heavens bequeathed to Amaterasu, but her effort was in vain.
Annoyed and despondent, Amaterasu took refugee in a cave, provoking an infinite night. Deprived of the sun, the Earth then fell prey to evil spirits. A disastrous outcome, which many deities tried to resolve but without success: Amaterasu refused to leave his cave.
Ema at an Amaterasu shrine
Flick/ jmurawski
One day, a banquet was organized near the cave to encourage the goddess to come out. Intrigued By the laughter caused by the dance of the goddess of mirth Uzume, Amaterasu slightly pushed a stone that blocked the cave for a peek. This is where the god of force Ame-no-Tajikarao took the opportunity to remove it from its hiding place and blocked the path to the cave with the assistance of the rest of the deities to bar re-entry.
Out of his cave, Amaterasu then banishes Susanoo from the kingdom of heaven. Today, the Amaterasu cave is still visible in Kyushu, in the heights of the island.
4. Tanabata, the heavenly story of love
Tanabata is a very popular summer matsuri in Japan. Traditionally organized on the 7th day of the 7th month of the lunisolar calendar, the '' feast of the stars '' is an unmissable event for many Japanese longing for love from a romantic relationship.
The tradition? Hang your wishes on a bamboo shoot which will then be burnt or thrown into the water for the wishes to come true.
Originally a Chinese Festival that was introduced to Japan during the Heian period (794-1185), In early times, Tanabata was similar to Valentine's Day where young girls prepared traditional pastries which they offered to the deities in the hope of finding love.
Orihime (Vega star) is a princess, daughter of the god of the Tentei sky, who spends her time sewing clothes for her father on the edges of the Milky Way. As she did not have a suitor, her father decided to take action and arranged a meeting with Prince Hikoboshi (Altair star).
The two fell in love and got married shortly after. But taken with passion, they begin to abandon their obligations in favor of their marriage. A situation that greatly displeases the God of heaven who then decided to separate the two spouses by the Milky Way, only allowing them to see each other on the 7th day of the 7th month of the year.
The legend actually echoes an astronomical phenomenon, the "the Summer Triangle", which appears in the sky when the distance between the stars Vega, Altair, and Déned becomes closer. The three stars thus form an isosceles triangle, and it is this phenomenon that would have inspired the feast of Tanabata.
