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.