Time? Moon?
It was for the Lunar calendar in the past. The moon was the calendar alternative. Identifying the change of season and agricultural schedule is made by looking up at the moon
I see. That means looking at the moon at night was crucial.
However, Tsukiyomi-Kami is a strange god1
Misuzu said.
Danna-sama, you do know about Amaterasu-no-Mikoto, right? Well, I know at least that much. It’s the greatest God in Japan. The Goddess of Sun Tsukuyomi is Amaterasu’s younger brother
The Sun God and Moon God are siblings. I know that much.
Then as for the other brother, Susanoo-no-Mikoto
Hmm?
Susanoo, that’s the one who took down Yamato-no-Orochi, isn’t it?
I asked.
Yes indeed. He’s not a human but a God
Misuzu replied.
Wait, if Amaterasu’s the Sun God, Tsukuyomi is the Moon God, then what God is Susanoo?
If there’s already a sun and moon, what’s the other? 2
If he’s a God, then what kind of God?
I mean, what I only know about Susanoo is that he defeated Yamata-no-Orochi.
That’s the problem
Misuzu said.
Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, Susanoo, these were the three pillars of God born from Izanagi-no-Mikoto at the same time. Did you know? Izanagi and Izanami, isn’t it?
I do remember their names at least.
Yes. In Japan mythology, Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto gave birth to Land itself. It’s the myth of birth of the country
Yeah.
I remember reading that in a library book as a child.
Izanagi is a male god and Izanami is the female. Then, the female God said something is lacking in me, so the male god said I will fill what’s lacking in you, thus he filled her and the country was born In short, they had sex and made a child!
Nei shortens.
Oh, the lacking is the female genital, and the filling’ is the male genital. I see.
Afterwards, Izanami burned to death after the birth of the fire god Kagutsuchi. Thus, Izanagi went to Yomi(the dead world) to meet the dead Izanami
Misuzu said.
I know that. In the end, the husband came back from hell alone, didn’t he? It’s not Hell. It’s the land of the dead
Michi?
It must be the same in Master’s image, but Hell and the land of the dead are different things There are different views of life and death depending on the religion. In Buddhism and Christianity, Hell is a place where you’re punished for your since when you were alive Izanami-san just gave birth to the God of Fire and died because of it, it’s not like she did something wrong and taken to hell, did she? I mean, Japan myths have no concept of heaven and hell. Anyway, everyone who dies goes to Yomi, whether they’re a good or bad person. That’s the idea Michi, Misuzu, and Nei relay with each other on teaching me.
Everyone knows a lot.
Well, putting that aside, Izanagi who came back from the land of the dead did a purification ceremony to go back to the surface. He washed his body with water. A lot of Gods were born at that time The first child, Amaterasu, was born from Izanagi washing his left eye. Tsukuyomi was born when he washed his right eye. And Susanoo is supposedly born from washing his nose
Michi follows up with Nei.
Oh, I see.
I didn’t remember the details that much.
And so, Yo-chan. Don’t you think that it’s strange?
Huh? What is?
At first, the country was born from the male and female god having sex. After that, Izanagi and Izanami created many other gods
yeah.
However, since Izanami separated and went to the land of the dead, Izanagi alone made gods one after another
Oh, wait.
Yeah, the rules deviated.
In fact, from the time Izanami was burned down by the fire god, Gods having sex and giving birth to other Gods have stopped
Misuzu said.
That’s right, talk about Izanami getting ill that she gave birth to the god of vomit, piss, and shit! What’s the name of the urine god again?
Nei asks.
Mitsuhanome-no-Kami and Wakumusubi-no-kami
As expected of Misuzu, she knows a lot when it comes to peeing.
Well, so far, it’s the female god giving birth, but after Izanami’s death, new gods are born even from the tears of the sad Izanagi. In short, it’s when male gods start giving birth to gods
A male god produces gods alone.
Yeah, that’s some major rule change.
In the myths, it seems that the male and female god giving birth to a new one is a late occurrence. The Japanese mythology has returned to their old types since Izanagi’s death And so! Well, after purifying the dirt from the land of the dead, Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and Susanoo were born!
Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi are from the eyes.
Susanoo is from the nose.
And so, Yo-chan, have you heard of Tsukuyomi’s name before? Did you know about them? No, I don’t know a lot Yeah. Of course. It’s not that common after all. After all, he never appeared in other myths after his birth
No appearances?
The only written myth on Tsukuyomi is that he killed Uke Mochi no Kami, the Hainuwele God in Japan. That’s why Amaterasu moved her away Really, that’s the only description about him
Somehow, I don’t get it but, they’re saying that there’s not much written about Tsukuyomi?
Yo-chan, don’t you think that’s strange? The moon’s so crucial to Japan, you see? But the God of the moon has hardly anything written about him
Yeah, that’s strange.
Everyone knows about the sun god, Amaterasu but they don’t talk about the moon God
Then, there’s Susanoo. Their father, Izanagi made Amaterasu, the Sun God, govern the Takamagahara(heaven) And Tsukuyomi, the Moon God, rules the Yoru no Osu Kuni(the country that eats at night) At that time, there are books that tell that Susanoo was ordered to rule over the ocean, but it’s not much known. However, Susanoo is supposed to have refused the order of his father and went to Yomi, where his mother is Then, before going to Yomi, he would like to see his sister, so he came to the Takamagahara, but the elder sister doubted that Susanoo might’ve come to attack To clear that doubt, Amaterasu and Susanoo made a written vow. As a result, a god was born. The first is Munakata-sanjojin, and five gods were born afterward. They were all good gods, so Susanoo’s innocence is proved, however That’s sex between two Gods, isn’t it?
Misuzu?
That’s right. The female god Amaterasu, and the male god, Susanoo had sex and gave birth to Gods. In short, it’s back with the rules of Izanagi and Izanami
i see.
No, wait.
Amaterasu and Susanoo are siblings, isn’t it? Was that okay back then?
I asked just in case.
I think they’re not siblings
Nei said.
Let’s see, what I mean is this; myths are hybrids. It isn’t a single story told over time, but a bundle of different stories combined, patched, or sometimes cut out, to make some jumble Each of the clans had their own myths. It’s often rewritten to the myth of the conquering clans. However, it doesn’t mean that the winning clan myths always remain If it was an exciting story, then the losing clan’s myth is also incorporated into the winning clan’s myth. Basically how the Roman empire taking over the Green myths Sometimes, it’s just a part. For example, the stories of King Arthur, then Tristan and Isolde were separate, but before anyone noticed, Tristan has become one of the knights in King Arthur’s round table Nei and Misuzu continue their talk.
Does anyone understand what these two are talking about?
Yeah, Ruriko, Michi, Mana, and the Takakura sisters know what’s going on.
Those who are dumbfounded are Megu, Agnes, and me.
Oh, I get it now! That means that Susanoo was just inserted later in the Japanese myth, is he?
Edie?
You understood that?
I think so
Misuzu said.
There is a shrine for a God which is believed to be the ancient name of Amaterasu, which is Amateru shrine in Tsushima. Tsukuyomi’s shrine is in the Sanuki. However, there’s no shrine revering Susanoo. These two shrines are ancient. In short, there have initially been faith in the Sun God, Amaterasu, and Moon God, Tsukuyomi I see.