Week 7 Reading Diary: Japanese Mythology (con.)

This weeks reading Diary comes from the stories of “The Romance of Old Japan.”

1. The Labors of Yamato –The Grotto of Love

-I would want to be Benten the sea goddess.  First off she is a mermaid, and that's awesome. Second she told that guy that she could not love him if he wasn't able to die for her.

2.The Labors of Yamato-The Golden apple

-Yamato goes to find and bring back a Golden Apple for Benten, this apple is on the island of eternal life

3.Tha Labors of Yamato- The Demon Boar

-Yamato goes to defeat the Demon Boar. But this boar is powerful, he is fast, and no sword can kill him. 

4.The Labors of Yamato-The Grass-Cleaving Sword

-They were able to escape because of the Scared Grass-Cleaving Sword, with the help from Princess Tachibana.

5.The Labors of Yamato –The Sacred Sword

- Even though Tachibana is an awesome wife to Yamato, he still thinks about the mermaid Benten on the island.  He uses the sword to get the dragon away.

(The Scared Sword)

6. The Scared Sword (cont.)

-Yamato defeats the demon with the Sacred Sword. The sword landed between the dragons teeth’s. 

7.The Labors of Yamato – The Dragon

Norito- An ancient exorcism to protect the faithful from serpents, sprites, and goblins.

8.The Dragon (cont.)

-Just when you think that Yamato and Princess Tacibana will live happily ever after tragedy strikes, and it’s because Yamato decides to go to war with Aino. 

9.The Faery Robe

I like he was moved by pity, love, and sudden shame, that finally moved that fisher to give back the robe of flame.

10. The Jewel of Heart’s Desire: The Land of Morning Calm

-Whoa I didn't realize that Benten was the dragon’s daughter, this make her even cooler.

11. The Quest of the Jewel

-Interesting that the waters started to act up with commotion, but not suprising that sea-dragon came out from hiding.

12. Urashima

 -Urashima was not youthful at the end, he was old, withered, and had white hair.

Week 7 Reading Diary: Japanese Mythology

This weeks reading diary comes from the stories of “The Romance of Old Japan”

(Illustrations from the book)

1. Izanagi and Izanami

-So we have the God of the heavens- Izanagi, and the beautiful Goddess of Love Izanami.  They get married, found it strange that they just clasped hands and bam they’re married. 

2.Izanagi and Izanami

-Amaterasu is introduced and she is a goddess of great importance. She is the sister of Susanowo who is the God of the Sea and Storms.  Also the sister of Tsukuyomi, the god of the moon.

3. The Miraculous Mirror

-This story talks about the rivalry between Amaterasu and her brother Susa-no-wo.  Amaterasu is cool because she has rays of light radiatinf from her body as she gets angry and leaves her cave. 

4. The Eight-Forked Serpent of Koshi

-Susa-no-wo and aged man, lost eight daughters to the eight-forked serpent of Koshi This monster had eight heads, and eight forked tails. Eight seems to be theme of this monster. 

5. The Heaven-Descended

-I liked how Amewaka shot the pheasant through the heart, and how the Sun Goddess, praised him for doing so.

6. The heaven-Descended (cont.)

-Ninigi, the grandson of Amaterasu is also the great-grandfather of Emperor Jommu.  He provides the link between the realm of heaven and the emperors of Japan.

7.  The Fortunate Fish-Hook

-We are introduced to Ho-Deri –Fire-Flame (hunter), and Ho-wori-Fire-Fade (fisherman), who are the sons of Ninigi,

8. The Fortunate Fish-Hook (cont.)

-I like how the name Toyotaa means “Shining Jewel” or Peerless Jewel”

9. The Labors of Yamato- The Rescue of the Princess

-Yamato is known more as a human hero, perfect to save the princess.

10. The Rescue of the Princess (cont.)

-Yamato is pretty cool not only is he a brave warrior; he also is a skilled trickster.   

Week 6, Storytelling: How Stars Became So Bright

How Stars Became So Bright

(Source: Google)

            Being a star is one of the greatest jobs you could receive from God.  I mean really think about it, you have the chance every night to watch over the whole world, and make light out of the darkness in the sky.  But stars have not always been bright; they once were very dim with almost no light. 

Long ago when the stars were dim there lived one bright star named Joy, Joy lived in a community of stars that barely made enough light, that they could hardly see each other.  Joy was tired of all the darkness and wanted it lighter.  Joy thought to herself that if she could get her community to be extremely bright that the brightness would spread through out the whole world.  Joy started talking to all the other stars trying to convince them to be brighter, and that being brighter would make them happier.  All of the other stars disagreed with her; they asked her how could we be happier if all we do is come out at night and watch all of the sad crimes that happen during and throughout the night.  Joy finally understood why the other stars were choosing to be so dark, because all they were paying attention to was the sadness of the dark.  Crime after crime, and death after death would happen every night as the stars would watch and after each sad situation a star would lose more light, even Joy started to pay attention to the sadness and started to lose her light. 

Eventually, Joy couldn't handle watching the sadness over the night and started to explain to the other stars that not only sad things happen in the dark.  She told them that there were plenty of happy things to watch, and she was going to prove it to them.  None of the other stars believed her, but they were willing to see what she had to show.

Joy had a whole plan of events to show the other stars and patiently waited until it started to get dark to round up her community.  Finally the first sign of darkness was showing and she first showed them a wedding.  She explained that this wedding had been in the makes for 10 months, and that the couple was madly in love.  After the wedding Joy showed the other stars a dance party that was going on, she told them to look how happy all of those people were to be dancing in the night.  Next she showed the stars a baby being born, and explained that new life creates new beginnings, which are always happy.  After each happy situation Joy shared with them she could see that the other stars lights were getting brighter and brighter.  By the end of the night each star had seen enough happiness that they were as bight as Joy, and thanked her for showing them the light. 

Authors Note:  “How Stars became so Bright” Is based off the stories from West African Folktales.  Most of these stories have expiations on why certain things happen; for example, “How the Tortoise Got its Shell”, and this is where I got the idea to make a story up on how the stars became so bright. 

Bibliography: This story was based of off West AfricanFolktales, collected from African Students at a teacher-training center in Accra, written in the early years of the 20^th Century. 

Week 6, Reading Diary: West African Folktales

Week 6 reading diary from, West African Folktales: ReadingB.

The Moon and the Stars

-It’s nice to see that even if Anansi is mostly evil, his son has a good heart.  This plan to save all the people from the dragon was genius, and I liked how they ended up in the heavens. 

How the Tortoise Got Its Shell

-I find it funny that Klo got drunk before he came back to the town.  I also find it interesting twist that Klo was “speedy traveler” when we all know turtles can be very slow. 

The Hunter and the Tortoise
-The tortoise was right to not feel bad that the hunter was beheaded.  She told him I will only sing for you, and he did not listen to that, karma was after him. 

The Leopard and the Ram

-This story really wasn’t that interesting to me. The only cool part of the story is that the Ram and Leopard were able to get along and live with each other, it was nice to see that they were willing to live on the same land instead of fighting for it.

King Chameleon and the Animals

-I like how all the animals are friends, and since they couldn't decide on a king they had to have a great race.  Since the Chameleon basically cheated; no one wanted to be ruled by him, therefor he was left alone.

(Photo Source) 

Elephant and Wren

-Something we should all learn and know about birds is that they always have an advantage because they can walk, but also fly.

The Ungrateful Man

-The poor hunter was only trying to help anyone and everyone, and for a while he was receiving good karma for all his help.  After he was blamed and sent to prison he was still willing to be helpful to the king, shows good characteristics of a man.

Why Tigers Never Attack Man Unless They are Provoked

-I love how the man and tiger were friends, and even after the tiger got shot he was still civil with man, but insured him that he would attack if provoked.

How Mushrooms First Grew

-Interesting story on how all the debts were passed down. Does this show us that debts never go away?

Farmer Mybrow and the Fairies

-The poor wife forgot to keep her promise and had ruined all of the hard work of Yams. Forgetfulness is such a human quality that I feel bad for the wife, as I’m sure she didn't mean to.   

Week 6, Reading Diary: West African Folktales

Week 6 reading diary is from West African Folktales, Reading A.

(Photo Source)

How We Got the Name “Spider Tales”
-It’s surprising to me that this spider was able to trick bees, snake, and a tiger.  I wonder how big this spider is?

How Wisdom Became the Property of the Human Race
-Father Anansi should have known that trying to hide all of his wisdom would back fire on him.  I mean how did he expect to be wise when he put all of his wisdom in the pot. 

Anansi and Nothing

-What a relatable ending, often we find ourselves upset for no reason.  If we can just remember to step back and appreciate what we have then we wouldn’t feel the need to kill someone just for our own fame.

Thunder and Anansi

-The first mistake was his act of selfishness, but then again he feared being starved since it had already happen to him once, that he acted selfishly so that he could always have food. 

Why the Lizard Moves His Head Up and Down

-There was no trust at all in this story, Lizard betrayed Anansi, and then Snansi seek revenge and got what he wanted in the first place.  The lizard should have known to not cross Anansi, because he will always strive to get what he wants. 

Tit For Tat

-Anansi is so cruel that he even tricks his son, to bad for him his son was able to win over him and gain all the food still leaving Anasi poor. 

Why White Ants Always Harm Man’s Property
-No one should ever trust the spider, and people are starting to realize this.  Because Spider tried to lie about the antelope, it angered the white ants and they vowed to never help anyone again.

The Squirrel and the Spider
-I feel sad for the squirrel that worked hard on those crops to stay rich and healthy.  The cunning spider of course came in and ruined everything, but still didn't’ end up with crops.

Why We See Ants Carrying Bundles As Big As Themselves
-The spider was being selfish again and thought that he would be rewarded, but instead he was punished, but because Spider is so tricky he was able to get pf his punishment and put it on someone else.

Why Spiders Are Always Found in Corners of Ceilings
-Anansi being ashamed to be caught in his act of greediness, hid in the dark corner of the ceiling so that no one could see him.  

The Grinding-Stone That Ground Flour By Itself

-This story shows spiders true persona of hoe evil he really is.