Online dictionary of history and traditions in Japan: mythology

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Oyashima

大八州
alternative words: Ooyashima, Oh yashima, 8 major islands, 8 main islands
keywords: mythology
related topics: Nihonshoki , Izumo dynasty , Izanagi Izanami
explanation: 8 major islands to which the gods Izanagi Izanam gave first birth, i.e. Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, Owaji, Oki, Tsushima, Iki, Sado. All the major islands in "Japan sea" being present while none of islands in "Pacific ocean", it corroborates that Izanami Izanagi legend should have been created by Izumo dynasty. Nihonshoki cites different versions on the appearance order (some sources added even Korean lands), but it is always Awaji island which appears first.

Susano

須佐之男命須佐之男
alternative words: Susano no mikoto, Susanou, Susanou no mikoto, God Susano, Prince Susano
keywords: god , mythology
related topics: Izanagi Izanami , Amaterasu , Yamato dynasty , Izumo dynasty , Yamata no orochi , Kojiki
explanation: Born from god Izanagi, he is considered responsible of the ocean. His sister, Amaterasu, being furious with his violence, had driven him away from the Heaven (Takamagahara) and he went to Izumo (actual Shimane prefecture). There he killed a big snake with 8 heads (Yamata no orochi) when Princess Kushi inada was going to be scarified. He founded then Izumo dynasty. Amaterasu is said his sister but it may mean rather a political alliance between Yamato and Izumo dynasties.

Takamagahara

高天原高天原
alternative words: Takamaga hara, Takama ga hara, Takamanohara, Takamano hara, Takama no hara
keywords: mythology
related topics: Amaterasu , Susano , Yayoi period , Kojiki
explanation: Legendary country where Goddess Amaterasu would be reigning with his brother, Susano. It owns a typical landscape of Yayoi period with rice fields and weaving women. It may situate in northern Kyushu because the river where all the gods gather to discuss on its dry bed is called "Amano-yasu-kawa" while there exists a river called "Yasu" in that region.

Tsukuyomi

月読命月夜見尊
alternative words: Tsukuyomi no mikoto
keywords: god , mythology
related topics: Izanagi Izanami , Amaterasu , Susano , Kojiki , Nihonshoki
related web sites: http://www.d1.dion.ne.jp/~siwamura/05.htm
explanation: One of 3 Japanese gods created at the same time as Amaterasu and Susano by Izanagi after the death of Izanami. Tsukuyomi is a moon god but contrary to Korean mythology, his role remains minor compared to Sun goddess, Amaterasu. His power base being on Shikoku island, he may have stemmed from south-east Asian folklore, i.e. Malay-Polynesian. Tsukuyomi means "reading the moon" in Japanese.

Urashimataro

浦島太郎
alternative words: Urashima-taro, Urashima taro, Urashimataro tale, Urashimatarou, Urashima tarou
keywords: mythology , tale
related topics: Muromachi period , Fudoki
related web sites: http://www.geocities.co.jp/Bookend/1303/otogi/ , http://www.urasima.co.jp
explanation: History included in a tale book, "Otogi Zoushi" of Muromachi period. It tells the history of a man who saved a turtle bothered by children. Suddenly she transformed herself to a court lady and brought him to the sea palace. After months of stay, he wanted to return back to home. So she gave him a decorated box as gift but banned to open it. When he returned back to home, nobody recognized him. When he opened the box, he was caught by the time of 300 years and had died.

Yamata no orochi

八岐大蛇
alternative words: 8 headed giant snake
keywords: mythology
related topics: Susano , Izumo dynasty
explanation: After a banishment from Takamagahara, Susano came to Izumo where he found an old couple weeping because an 8 headed giant snake is coming to eat his last daughter, prince Kushiinada. By preparing 8 jars full of alcohol, he drunk the snake and killed it. A saber (Amakumo no tsurugi) found inside the snake's queue would become an imperial treasure. Susano married Kushiinada and founded Izumo dynasty. This anecdote symbolizes a battle of agricultural people against invaders coming from the north.

Yamato dynasty

大和王朝大和朝廷
alternative words: Yamato court, Yamato ocho, Yamato ouchou, Tenno dynasty, Imperial court, Yamato
keywords: family , mythology , state
related topics: Yayoi period , Kofun period , Amaterasu , Nihonshoki , Emperor Jimmu , Emperor Sujin , Empress Jingu , Shintoism , Tenno
related web sites: http://www.logix-press.com/scriba/index/tn-index.html
explanation: Dynasty who has perpetuated in Japan since 27 centuries and its fief had been in Kinki region. According to Nihonshoki, Sun Goddess Amaterasu should have asked Prince Ninigi to go down at Mt. Takachiho of Kyushu. His grand grandson, Jimmu conquered Kinki region to become the first Emperor of Japan. Gradually his descendants conquered more lands and in Jingu era, their influence had reached even Korean peninsula. The actual Emperor is his 125th descendent.

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17 articles extracted from postgresql database.