Week 10 Reading A: The Jealous Uncle

• Unnatural Uncle who would kill nephews when they become a few years old, two already dead
• No explanation for why he does so? Later on seems to see his nephew as a threat to his life, but no reason given for this idea
• Aunt went to mother and told her to hide the gender of another boy if he's born
• Worked for a time, but Uncle discovered that the son was a boy
• Boy takes old playthings of his brothers
• Piece of a knife, eagle-down, and a sour cranberry
• Uncle takes the boy to go fetch wood, and traps him in a log
• Boy rubs sour cranberry on inside of log and the log 'opened its mouth', freeing him
• Uncle is surprised and annoyed at the boy continuing to live (and coming back with wood), and swears to his wife that he will kill the boy
• Uncle takes boy out to get ducks and eggs, leads him to a steep bluff and pushes him down
• Boy uses eagle-down to drift down, retrieves ducks and eggs, and goes up by blowing at eagle-down
• Uncle is furious at boy's return again
• Uncle takes boy to go get clams, pushes boy into large clam
• Boy uses piece of knife to cut clam's ligament until it lets him out and comes back with clams
• Uncle makes a box for the boy and makes him go inside; Uncle closes the box, ties it shut, and throws him into the ocean
• After a long time, boy is rescued by two girls of the Eagle people who can put on and take off eagle skins to transform from human to eagle and back
• While discussing the box (before they know he is inside), younger daughter claims the box but the elder daughter claims the contents 

• Elder daughter of the village chief claims the boy and they marry happily
• Boy returns to his village after he misses his parents, using the chief's eagle-skin to fly home
• He hunts a whale and puts it on the beach
• Uncle took control, not allowing any whale meat to be given to the boy's parents
• The boy, in eagle form, swoops at the Uncle multiple times, getting closer each time until he grabs the Uncle the fourth time and brings him to a cliff
• Transforming back, the boy tells the uncle that he will be punished for treating his parents cruelly
• Uncle will be dropped in ocean and only has chance to live by swimming back to shore
• Uncle cannot swim, begs to be taken back
• Boy returns to his parents and brings them back to Eagle land with him

Bibliography: The Jealous Uncle from Tales of the North American Indians by Stith Thompson. Web Source

Image: Wild Bald Eagle Ocean by KetaDesign on Wikimedia Commons . Web Source

Week 9 Story: The Sun's Fear of the Stars

Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess.

She sat at her loom, weaving the dark web of fate itself. As the Sun, Amaterasu had both allies and enemies in all the world, from the Heavens where she lived down to the very depths of Hell; for the Sun brought both joy and dismay to all.

Appearing without welcome or warning, Amatsumikaboshi spoke to Amaterasu.

"Do you still dare to remain here, even after all my warnings?"

Amaterasu scoffed. Amatsumikaboshi disliked Amaterasu, as the Sun was a more dazzling and resplendent feature of the sky than the Stars that he represented. Each night, he had threatened to bring her brother Susanoo to frighten her, but each night, he had left without action.

"I dare indeed, for I am the Sun and shall not be moved from the sky."

A wicked smirk spread across Amatsumikaboshi's face, even as the sound of crackling flames reached Amaterasu's ears. She turned, only to see Susanoo, surrounded by fire and face spattered with blood as he grinned evilly at Amaterasu.

Overcome with fear, Amaterasu fled the horrific sight. She fled out of Heaven all the way down to Earth, taking refuge in a hidden cave. Up in Heaven, Amatsumikaboshi laughed at the setting of the Sun, and lorded over the Earth in the sky along with the Moon. Susanoo left, his prank on Amaterasu complete.

The people on the Earth wailed at the loss of the Jewel of Heaven, and the other deities were filled with worry. While Amaterasu had her enemies, so too did she have allies and friends. Uzume, Goddess of Laughter, and Taji-Karao decided that something must be done.

Going to Heaven, they confronted Amatasumikaboshi, driving him off. After this, they went down to Amaterasu's cave, calling into it to speak to the Sun Goddess.

"Amatasumikaboshi has been driven out of Heaven, and Susanoo has fled! It is safe to return!"

Hesitantly, Amaterasu came out of her cave and followed Uzume and Taji-Karao back to Heaven, where she resumed her duties. The people on Earth rejoiced at the return of the Sun.

But that night, Amatsumikaboshi returned to Heaven. The very sight of him brought about the fear of Susanoo in Amaterasu, and when she remembered the bloodied and crazed face of her brother, Amaterasu fled wildly down to her cave on Earth.

Uzume and Taji-Karao once again managed to drive Amatsumikaboshi out, and return Amaterasu to Heaven; but every night, the Star God would come to drive Amaterasu out of the halls of Heaven.

This cycle continued endlessly, with the Sun and the Stars trading positions in the sky as Amaterasu fled and Amatasumikaboshi was driven out. Night became the dominion of the Stars, while the Sun would only be seen during the Day.

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Author's Notes: The original story was "The Miraculous Mirror", where Susanoo appeared in Heaven and drove Amaterasu down to Earth. An unnamed deity crafted a golden mirror, and Uzume drew Amaterasu out of her cave and stunned her by showing Amaterasu her own reflection. While Amaterasu was distracted, Taji-Karao blocked off the entrance to her cave with a boulder, and Amaterasu was returned to Heaven.

After reading another story that created an 'origin story' out of a different myth, I was inspired to do the same myself. By adding in Amatsumikaboshi (a malignant Shinto god, who was associated with other star deities in Chinese buddhism and Japanese mythology), I turned the story into an origin story for the cycle of day and night; Amatsumikaboshi, the stars, show up at night and scare Amaterasu, the sun, out of Heaven. When Amatsumikaboshi is driven out of Heaven, Amaterasu finally feels safe to return. Thus, the star and the stars only show up at different times, with the sun being up during the day but the stars being present during the night.

Image: Twilight Sky Red Cloud Sunset Sun East on Max Pixel

Bibliography: The Miraculous Mirror from Romance of Old Japan, Part I: Mythology and Legend by E. W. Champney and F. Champney. Web Source

Reading Notes B Week 9: The Three Evils

• Dschou Tschu
• Very strong and often got into fights due to his personality and lack of discipline
• Elders did not punish him
• Fear, or knew that he didn't intend to cause trouble?
• New mandarin arrived and listened to people's complaints
• Learned of three great evils
• Evil dragon at the bridge
• Tiger with white forehead in the hills
• Dschou Tschu
• New mandarin went to Dschou Tschu's door, clothed in poor garments
• Dschou Tschu laughed at the idea of people being distressed
• Revolt happening in country around, but the village is doing well and is peaceful
• Mandarin agrees but points out that people still complain about three great evils
• Mandarin tells Dschou Tschu that he wishes to ask him to dispose of the first two, but hints that he should keep the third hidden from Dschou Tschu
• Dschou Tschu falls for bait, asks to hear all three
• He is ashamed to hear that he is considered one of the great evils and tells the mandarin to return home
• Goes and kills the tiger and dragon, reports to the mandarin
• Tells the mandarin that he will leave and that the elders no longer need to be sorrowful about him
• Enlists as a soldier and makes a name for himself until he faces unbeatable odds, and then allows himself to die

Bibliography: The Three Evils from The Chinese Fairy Book, ed. by R. Wilhelm and translated by Frederick H. Martens

Image: Dragon vs Tiger by David Davis on flickr

Reading Notes A Week 9: The God of War

•  Story:
• Guan Yu made a pact of friendship with Liu Be and Dschang Fe
• Swore oath in a peach-orchard to be brothers and sacrificed a white steed to seal it
• Aided in subduing the Yellow Turbans
• When Tsau Tsau convinced Liu Be's enemies to take their city by treachery, Guan Yu led an army to retake the town but was captured in an ambush along with his son
• When he could not sway Guan Yu to his side, the prince of that country (the enemies) slew Guan Yu and his son
• Red Hare stopped eating and died once Guan Yu died
• Dschou Dsang and other faithful followers of Guan Yu also died upon hearing of Guan Yu's death
• A monk who was an old acquaintance saw Guan Yu after his death, along with his son Guan Ping and Dschou Dsang
• Guan Yu wanted his head back (to come back to life), but monk told him that all the people Guan Yu killed would also want that if Guan Yu got his way
• Guan Yu disappeared and acted as a god thereafter, appearing whenever a new dynasty was founded
• His worship increased over time
• Prince Guan
• King Guan
• Great god who conquers demons
• Divine "Helper of the Heavens"
• Known as the God of War
• Worshiped as the Master of War alongside Confucius, the Master of Peace
• Guan Yu:
• Also known as "The God of War, Guan Di"
• Held a great love for his country
• Faithful, honest, and brave
• Owned the horse Red Hare
• Red Hare "could run a thousand miles in one day"
• Owned Green Dragon, a knife "shaped like a half-moon"
• Was handsome in appearance
• Had a red face
• Had a beard so long it went down to his stomach
• Could take on thousands with ease
• Inspired loyalty in others
• Dschou Dsang and others died (committed suicide?) when they heard of Guan Yu's death

Bibliography: The God of War from The Chinese Fairy Book, ed. by R. Wilhelm and translated by Frederick H. Martens. Web Source

Image: Guan Yu Figurine on PXHere.

Wikipedia Trails: Susanoo to Yata no Kagami

Susanoo-no-Mikoto

After reading a story about Amaterasu and how she was scared out of Heaven by Susanoo (the original being a story that I read and intend to rewrite as well), I was interested in reading more about Susanoo. I was also interested in seeing if there was any additional information I could get for my own retelling. (Notably, it mentions that Susanoo drove her from heaven by destroying her rice fields, throwing a flayed pony at her loom, and killing one of her attendants.)

Amano-Iwato

Amano-Iwato is the "Heavenly Rock Cave" that Amaterasu hid herself in the same story I mentioned above. As above, I was interested to see if I could learn more about something that featured in the story I intend to rewrite, as well as to see if the cave held any more importance that I might be able to weave into my story. Apparently, there is a real cave that is considered to be the Amano-Iwato, which is a cave on one side of the Iwato River from a hall of worship named Nishihongu.

Imperial_Regalia_of_Japan

The article about Amano-Iwato mentioned that the mirror that Amaterasu was lured out of her cave with was the Yata no Kagami. I've heard of that mirror, but was not aware that it was the same as the golden mirror from this myth. Apparently, the mirror and jewels were what Uzume used to lure Amaterasu out of the cave, while the Kusanagi came from Yamata no Orochi's body. All three belonged to Amaterasu, the Kusanagi being an apology gift from Susanoo, and came down to Earth when Amaterasu sent her grandson down to Japan.

Yata_no_Kagami

The Yata no Kagami was actually the object I had gone to the previous page for, so when I saw that there was an individual article for it, I was interested in seeing if there was more about it specifically besides its identity as one of the Imperial Regalia. Unfortunately, it is a much shorter article and seems to have mostly the same information as the previous page.

Tech Tip: Word Counter - for Firefox!

Using Firefox, I found Word Count as a Firefox add-on rather than the Chrome version.

I've found it very useful for this class, given the word count requirements. I tend to be someone who writes too much, so for comments and such I'm fine but for stories it's extremely useful. It's a little annoying in that it will always put the word count at the bottom right of your main monitor - so if you're using multiple screens or have your browser not full screen, I can sometimes look in the wrong place and wonder whether the add-on is glitching for a moment. But other than that, it's very useful and allows for you to get the word count of any highlighted text with an option in the right-click menu.

Week 8 EC Reading Notes: Stories from Le Morte D'Arthur and the Mabinogion (A)

Of Arthur's Birth; And How He Became King

 Disneyland Sword in the Stone, by Dave Q from Wikimedia Commons

• Uther Pendragon ruled Britain
• Fell in love with Igraine of Cornwall, got rejected and fell ill
• Merlin offers to help Uther if Uther's son is given to him at the son's birth
• Uther agrees and Merlin gives Uther "the form of one whom Igraine had loved dearly"
• Igraine then marries Uther
• Merlin shows up to remind Uther about the deal 3 days before Arthur is born
• When Arthur is born, Uther commands for him to be taken to the 'postern-gate' to be given to an old man (Merlin)
• Uther fell sick not long after, gathered all his knights and barons and commanded them to obey his son
• By Merlin's suggestion
• Also says that his curse would be on his son if Arthur didn't take the throne
• Few people had seen Arthur, and were unwilling to be ruled by a child
• Civil war erupted
• Merlin had taken Arthur away to keep him safe from the upcoming civil war (which he had foreseen)
• Merlin gave Arthur to Sir Ector to raise alongside Ector's son Kay
• Didn't tell Ector that Arthur was Uther's son
• When Arthur was older ("tall youth"), Merlin advises the Archbishop of Canterbury and told him to call together "all the chief men of the realm"
• Merlin put a curse on the Archbishop to get him to comply
• When the men gathered, they saw a sword thrust through an anvil on a giant stone in front of the church
• Stone had "Whoso can draw forth this sword, is rightful King of Britain born" written on it
• Everyone present tried and failed to draw the sword
• Jousts were to be held in London at Easter for knights to show off their skill and try to draw the sword
• Ector rode to London with Kay and Arthur
• Kay and Arthur rode out, but Kay forgot his sword
• Arthur went back but the house was locked up
• Arthur thought of the sword in the stone and went to grab it
• Guards were gone due to tournament
• Arthur draws the sword and brings it to Kay, who shows it to Ector
• Ector and Kay pledge loyalty to Arthur
• They go to Archbishop and tell him what happened
• Arthur puts sword back in and draws it twice
• Others try to draw it after Arthur puts in back in the second time, but all fail again
• Arthur is sworn in as king

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(Reading is from Coming of Arthur up to How the Scabbard Was Lost)

Bibliography: Of Arthur's Birth; And How He Became King from Stories from Le Morte D'Arthur and the Mabinogion by Beatrice Clay. Web Source.

Week 8 Comments and Feedback

I would prefer to have a little more critical feedback in the comments I get from other people. While it is nice to hear about the things I am doing right, I think I would improve more if people were more willing to tell me what parts of my story don't quite work right and what I need to focus on in future stories.

In a similar vein, I think that I need to give a little more critical feedback in my comments to others. While I do try to comment on at least one thing that can hopefully help them improve, there is more I can do. I am worried about coming across as too critical, so I will need to think about ways to give my critique while making it clear that those are areas to improve, not places that are simply done poorly or that are bad.

 (cheezburger)

 I think it's important to look for patterns in feedback because if a single person points out an issue, it is possible that it's just that person who finds it to be an issue despite that section being fine. However, when multiple people point out the same thing (such as the centered text for my Storybook intro being difficult to read), it is indicative that the issue definitely exists.

Week 8 Progress

Currently, I'm decently happy with my progress so far, although I need to get better about doing assignments on time since I'm 8 points behind where I should be. Oftentimes I find myself having to use the time I'd previously set aside to do my work for this class doing other work, and then I can forget to do my work later that day. I'm thinking about possibly trying to start doing my work on different days in order to get around this - if I tell myself that I need to finish the Tuesday assignment by the end of Monday at the very latest, then even if I do accidentally miss it, I still have that extra day. Alternatively, if I can spend the time to get an assignment ahead and stay an assignment ahead, then the due dates become less of an issue that way.

 

 

Image: Greek Art - Foot Race - Panathenaic Vase from Wikimedia Commons, Meme created through Imgflip Meme Generator.

Week 7 EC Reading: The Gilgamesh Epic

The Birth of Gilgamesh (No Notes, not a specific story)

Eabani (No Notes, not a specific story)

Gilgamesh as Tyrant:

•  Gilgamesh fulfilling "double rôle of ruler and oppressor" of Uruk
• Pressed young men into service in building a wall
• Takes women to his court
• People pray to the gods, specifically goddess Aruru, to make a hero who would force Gilgamesh to treat them better out of fear
• Aruru takes a piece of clay and casts it upon the ground, creating Enkidu
• Enkidu was covered with hair, had long luxurious hair
• Enkidu lived in harmony with wild animals, and knew nothing of the land or of people

The Beguiling of Eabani:

•  Hunter named Tsaidu encountered Enkidu
• Possibly sent by Gilgamesh to entrap Enkidu and bring him back to Uruk
• Possibly completely accidental
• Tsaidu returns to Uruk and tells Gilgamesh about Enkidu
• Enkidu was strong and fleet, but also shy at sight of another human
• Gilgamesh seems to know why Enkidu was created, and wants to go against the gods' plans
• Sends Tsaidu back to the mountains with Ukhut, a sacred woman of the temple of Ishtar, to seduce Enkidu and convince him to return to Uruk with her
• Ukhut's beauty enthralls Enkidu, and he spends a week with her
• Realizing he no longer belonged with the beasts, Enkidu goes along with Ukhut when she tries to convince him to go to Uruk and meet with Gilgamesh
• He finds the idea of befriending Gilgamesh delightful

Gilgamesh Meets Eabani:

• Feast of Ishtar was happening when the trio (Enkidu, Ukhut, Tsaidu) returned to Uruk
• Enkidu thought that he would have to fight Gilgamesh before befriending him, but refrained through a warning that Gilgamesh was stronger than him
• Warning could have been a dream or from Ukhut
• Meeting is not detailed, but Enkidu and Gilgamesh meet and become friends
• Enkidu laments loss of former freedom, aims his hate at Ukhut
• Shamash (sun-god) talks to Enkidu and convinces him of the benefits
• Unclear if dream or vision
• Shamash talks of the benefits Enkidu already has, and tells Enkidu that Gilgamesh will provide Enkidu with a wonderful couch to sleep on and give Enkidu a seat at his left hand
• Enkidu stops being upset at his current situation
• Enkidu then receives a vision/dream about Khumbaba, a monster in the Forest of Cedars
• Khumbaba was also a "guardian of the abode of the goddess Irnina (a form of Ishtar)"
• Gilgamesh and Enkidu go to the priestess Rimat-belit (Gilgamesh's mother) and seek protection from Shamash for their adventure

The Monster Khumbaba:

•  Khumbaba:
• Terrifying creature that saps the strength and vitality of any who enter the forest
• Bel appointed Khumbaba to guard a specific cedar tree
• Enkidu complains that he feels weak upon nearing the forest, but Gilgamesh encourages him
• The pair receive a dream foretelling of Khumbaba's death when they enter the forest and go forth, successfully slaying Khumbaba

Ishtar's Love for Gilgamesh:

• Gilgamesh and Enkidu returned to Uruk victorious
• Gilgamesh dressed himself in kingly clothes upon their return
• Ishtar fell in love with Gilgamesh after witnessing him, and proposed to Gilgamesh
• She promised many gifts if he did so - increased flocks and herds, "his horses and oxen would be without rival", other kings/princes would bring tribute to him
• Gilgamesh rejected and taunted Ishtar due to her past treatment of lovers
• Tammuz, "to whom she clung weepingly year after year"
• Alalu the eagle
• "A lion perfect in might and a horse glorious in battle"
• Tabulu, a shepherd
• Isullanu, the gardener of Ishtar's father
• Ishtar had treated her previous lovers poorly and mocked them
• Gilgamesh believed that he would be treated similarly if he accepted Ishtar's proposal
• Ishtar was furious at the rejection and went to her father Anu
• Seems as if she lied and made it sound as if Gilgamesh tried to court her instead of the other way around

The Bull of Anu:

• Ishtar begged her father to send a mighty bull against Gilgamesh
• Anu refused at first due to the fact that it would cause "seven years' sterility on the earth", but eventually agreed
• Great bull, Alu, was sent to battle Gilgamesh
• Text about the battle is missing but Gilgamesh was able to finally kill the beast
• Ishtar went onto the wall of Uruk and cursed Gilgamesh for angering her and killing the bull from heaven
• When Enkidu heard the curse, he tore out the entrail of the bull and threw them in front of Ishtar, telling her:
• "As for thee, I will conquer thee, and I will do to thee even as I have done to him"
• Direct threat that Enkidu will kill Ishtar
• Gilgamesh dedicated the horns of the bull to the sun god and returned to Uruk
• Possible that Enkidu was sent a dream in which Ukhut (who was now dead) told him of the underworld (Hades)
• Described as "a path whose way has no return", place where inhabitants are cut off from light, and only dust exists without food or water

The Death of Eabani:

•  Enkidu falls ill and dies twelve days later
• Possible that Enkidu was wounded
• Possible that Enkidu was cursed to die outside of battle, likely by Ishtar
• Gilgamesh grieves Enkidu's death

The Quest of Gilgamesh:

• Gilgamesh became terrified of death and went in search of Ut-Napishtim, his ancestor who might know of a way for Gilgamesh to escape death
• Gilgamesh set out and had to pass through mountain gorges full of wild beasts
• Sin, the moon-god, helped him make it through safely
• Gilgamesh arrived at the mountain Mashu ("the Mountain of the Sunset") which lay between the earth and the underworld on the western horizon
• The entrance was guarded by scorpion-men (monsters)
• Gilgamesh was overcome by fear when he saw them, but answered their questions about why he came
• Scorpion-men only didn't kill him due to his divine heritage
• Scorpion-men advised he turn back when they learned he sought Ut-Napishtim
• They told Gilgamesh that he would have to go through twenty-four hours of darkness until he re-emerged into the light of day, and refused to let him pass
• Gilgamesh begged them (with tears) to let him through, and they eventually did so
• Gilgamesh ended up in a garden of trees that carried precious stones as fruit and leaves (?)
• Gilgamesh encountered the sea-goddess Sabitu, who retreated into her palace and shut the gate
• He threatened to break down the door until she opened it and aided him
• Gilgamesh knew that her help was necessary to reach Ut-Napishtim
• She sent Gilgamesh to Adad-Ea (Ut-Napishtim's ferryman)
• Adad-Ea advised Gilgamesh to turn back as well, but agreed when Gilgamesh started destroying Adad-Ea's boat with an axe
• Adad-Ea forced Gilgamesh to go find a new rudder before they set off

Gilgamesh and Ut-Napishtim:

• Gilgamesh contracted a grievous illness and could not leave the boat when they arrived at Ut-Napishtim's home
• Gilgamesh didn't believe Ut-Napishtim when he tried to tell Gilgamesh that death was the fate of mankind and controlled by the gods
• Ut-Napishtim told Gilgamesh the story of the Babylonian Deluge Myth

Deluge Myth (No Notes, not a story I will focus on)

Gilgamesh and the Plant of Life (no section header in source):

• Deluge myth proved to Gilgamesh that unlike his previous belief, his situation was not the same as his ancestor's
• Ut-Napishtim was given the blessing of Bel after he saved humanity when Bel wanted to flood the world, due to Bel being convinced by the other gods that his actions were an overreaction
• Ut-Napishtim took pity on Gilgamesh and healed him
• Gilgamesh slept for a week
• Ut-Napishtim's wife made a magic "preparation" with seven ingredients and gave it to Gilgamesh
• When Gilgamesh woke, Ut-Napishtim sent him to a magic spring to finish healing him
• Gilgamesh returned and was still insistent on his quest for immortality
• Ut-Napishtim sent Gilgamesh with Adad-Ea to the location of the plant of life
• Plant would give immortality and eternal youth to whoever ate it
• Plant was a weed at the bottom of the ocean that would prick the hands of the gatherer
• Gilgamesh found the plant of life and set out to return to Uruk, accompanied by Adad-Ea
• When Gilgamesh stopped at a well of fresh water, a snake stole the plant and Gilgamesh wept at the loss

Eabani's Spirit (no section header in source):

•  Gilgamesh still grieving Enkidu's loss
• "Thou canst no longer stretch thy bow upon the earth; and those who were slain with the bow are round about thee. Thou canst no longer bear a sceptre in thy hand; and the spirits of the dead have taken thee captive. Thou canst no longer wear shoes upon thy feet; thou canst no longer raise thy war-cry on the earth. No more dost thou kiss thy wife whom thou didst love; no more dost thou smite thy wife whom thou didst hate. No more dost thou kiss thy daughter whom thou didst love; no more dost thou smite thy daughter whom thou didst hate. The sorrow of the underworld hath taken hold upon thee."
• Implies Enkidu had a wife and daughter? Love-hate relationship with the wife and daughter, or just pointing out that Enkidu can no longer show love or anger towards his closest family members?
• Gilgamesh went to multiple temples to pray for Enkidu's return
• Ninsum, Bel, Sin
• Eventually Ea took pity on Gilgamesh and persuaded Nergal to bring forth Enkidu's spirit from Hades
• Enkidu couldn't tell Gilgamesh what he'd seen in the underworld but could describe the general conditions
• People who were taken care of properly (buried, offerings made) and/or slain in battle have ideal afterlives
• People who were not either have miserable afterlives

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Bibliography: The Gilgamesh Epic from Myths & Legends of Babylonia & Assyria by Lewis Spence. Web Source

Image: Near Eastern - Cylinder Seal with Enkidu Vanquishing the Bull of Heaven - Walters 42786 - Side B, anonymous artist from the Middle East, from the Walters Art Museum. Image Web Source

Week 7 Story Planning: The Sun's Fear

Story Notes:

•  Amaterasu "the bright", Sun Goddess
• Despite being the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu is responsible for weaving the "dark web of Doom with its symbols of joy and dismay"
• Symbolic? Sun can be good and bad (can help plants grow vs too much sun with no rain can kill plants, sun can warm the land vs too hot can make it difficult to work?)
• Can use this: Sun brings both joy and dismay to all, and so Amaterasu has both allies and enemies alike in all directions, from the Heavens to Earth and down to the very depths of Hell below"Speeding her shuttle of Fate, interwove Izanagi's fair daughter
  Lotus-pure blossoms of Love with the flame of a rapturous star"
• Izanagi's daughter is one of the Amaterasu's hand-maidens? Look up exactly who Izanagi's daughter is
• Susa-no-wo comes "out of the void"
• Does Susa-no-wo not live in Hell? Is described as the "Dragon of Hell" and the "demon of Fire" - does this have significance?
• Is Amaterasu's fear of Susa-no-wo due to him being a demon, or is there something more?
• "immured her secure from the rage of her brother benighted"
• Amaterasu is Susa-no-wo's sibling?
• The people wail at the loss of "their Jewel of Heaven" until a god makes a golden mirror and Uzume takes it to lure Amaterasu out
• Uzume, Goddess of Laughter, dances and frolics to gain Amaterasu's attention
• When Amaterasu comes out, Uzume praises her and shows her the golden mirror (Amaterasu's own reflection) but Amaterasu does not realize it is her own appearance
• Amaterasu: lack of self-confidence? Fear of someone else rivaling her?
• Not sure I can use this
• Comes out of cave to confront her 'rival' and Taji-Karao rolls a boulder to block off her cave
• This will definitely have to be removed, due to my change (Amaterasu has to be able to flee every night)

Source 1 Notes:

•  Amaterasu is the daughter of Izanami and Izanagi
• Previous note about Izanagi's daughter being a handmaiden is wrong, ignore
• Elder sister of Susanoo (Susa-no-wo), constantly argued with him until she exiled him from heaven
• "Amaterasu & The Cave"
• Susanoo surprised Amaterasu with a monstrous flayed horse - reason for why she fled from him?
• Will probably keep more of the "demon/Dragon of Hell" aspect in rewriting, need reason for Amaterasu to constantly flee every night
• More deities than Amenouzume/Ama-no-Uzeme (Uzume) involved in trying to bring Amaterasu out of her cave
• Didn't see reflection as an enemy, but was distracted by her own "stunning reflection"
• Narcissistic tendencies
• Ame-no-tajikara-wo (Taji-Karao) dragged Amaterasu out of the cave instead of just blocking it off behind her (which Tuto-Tamu did instead)
• Might involve Taji-Karao and/or Uzume to convince Amaterasu that star deity/Susanoo will be driven off every morning

Source 2 Notes:

• Amatasumikaboshi was a malignant Shinto god
• Under Chinese buddhism he was associated with another deity associated with the north star
• Ended up combined with Ama-no-mi-naka-nushi
• Use the version that exists separately, stick with the original malignant nature
• Jealousy over stars not being as 'dazzling and resplendent' as the sun?

Image: Twilight Sky Red Cloud Sunset Sun East on Max Pixel

Bibliography: The Miraculous Mirror from Romance of Old Japan, Part I: Mythology and Legend by E. W. Champney and F. Champney. Web Source

Source 1: Amaterasu, Ancient History Encyclopedia

Source 2: Amatsumikaboshi, Wikipedia