The age of the gods, part one神代上

In old times heaven and earth were not yet cleft apart, and the yin and the yang were not yet parted. All was mingled together like an egg, and in the dimness it held a sprout.

That which was clear and bright spread out thin and became heaven. That which was heavy and turbid sank and was held fast and became earth. The fine and subtle came together easily, but the heavy and turbid hardened with difficulty. Therefore heaven was made first and earth was settled after, and after that the divine ones were born in the midst of them.

Therefore it is said that at the beginning of the opening the islands and the soil drifted about, as fish swimming float on the water.

At that time a thing was born between heaven and earth. It was shaped like a reed shoot, and it changed at once into a god. He is called Kuninotokotachi no Mikoto (國常立尊). Next was Kuninosatsuchi no Mikoto (國狹槌尊), and next Toyokumunu no Mikoto (豐斟渟尊), three gods in all. The way of heaven worked alone, and so these were made purely male.

Another account says: when heaven and earth first parted, a thing was in the void, and its shape was hard to tell. In the midst of it there was a god who came into being of himself, called Kuninotokotachi no Mikoto, also called Kunisokotachi no Mikoto (國底立尊). Next was Kuninosatsuchi no Mikoto, also called Kuninosatachi no Mikoto (國狹立尊). Next was Toyokuninushi no Mikoto (豐國主尊), who is also called Toyokumuno no Mikoto (豐組野尊), and Toyokabuno no Mikoto (豐香節野尊), and Ukifunotoyokai no Mikoto (浮經野豐買尊), and Toyokunino no Mikoto (豐國野尊), and Toyokuino no Mikoto (豐齧野尊), and Hakokunino no Mikoto (葉木國野尊), and Mino no Mikoto (見野尊).

Another account says: in old times, when the land was young and the earth was young, it drifted about like floating oil. At that time a thing was born within the land, shaped like a reed shoot pushing up. From this there was a god who came into being, called Umashiashikabihikoji no Mikoto (可美葦牙彥舅尊). Next was Kuninotokotachi no Mikoto, and next Kuninosatsuchi no Mikoto.

葉木國 is read Hakokuni, and 可美 is read umashi.

Another account says: when heaven and earth were mingled and formed, there were divine beings at the first, called Umashiashikabihikoji no Mikoto, and next Kunisokotachi no Mikoto. 彥舅 is read hikoji.

Another account says: when heaven and earth first parted, there were gods born together at the first, called Kuninotokotachi no Mikoto, and next Kuninosatsuchi no Mikoto.

It also says: the names of the gods born in Takamanohara (高天原) are Amenominakanushi no Mikoto (天御中主尊), next Takamimusubi no Mikoto (高皇產靈尊), next Kamimimusubi no Mikoto (神皇產靈尊). 皇產靈 is read mimusubi.

Another account says: before heaven and earth were born, all was like snow floating on the sea, with nothing to root it. In the midst of it a thing was born, like a reed shoot first sprouting in the mud, and it changed at once into a man, called Kuninotokotachi no Mikoto.

Another account says: when heaven and earth first parted, there was a thing like a reed shoot, born in the empty air, and from this it became a god, called Amenotokotachi no Mikoto (天常立尊). Next was Umashiashikabihikoji no Mikoto.

There was also a thing like floating oil, born in the empty air, and from this it became a god, called Kuninotokotachi no Mikoto.

Next there were gods, Uhijini no Mikoto (埿土煑尊) and Suhijini no Mikoto (沙土煑尊). Next there were gods, Otonoji no Mikoto (大戶之道尊) and Otomabe no Mikoto (大苫邊尊). Next there were gods, Omodaru no Mikoto (面足尊) and Kashikone no Mikoto (惶根尊). Next there were gods, Izanagi no Mikoto (伊弉諾尊) and Izanami no Mikoto (伊弉𠕋尊).

Another account says: these two gods are the children of Aokashikine no Mikoto.

Another account says: Kuninotokotachi no Mikoto begot Amenokagami no Mikoto (天鏡尊), Amenokagami no Mikoto begot Amenoyorozu no Mikoto (天萬尊), Amenoyorozu no Mikoto begot Awanagi no Mikoto (沫蕩尊), and Awanagi no Mikoto begot Izanagi no Mikoto. 沫蕩 is read awanagi.

These are eight gods in all. The ways of heaven and earth mingled together and changed, and so these were made male and female. From Kuninotokotachi no Mikoto down to Izanagi no Mikoto and Izanami no Mikoto is called the seven generations of the age of the gods (神世七代).

Another account says: of the gods born in pairs of male and female, first there were Uhijini no Mikoto and Suhijini no Mikoto, next Tsunogui no Mikoto (角樴尊) and Ikugui no Mikoto (活樴尊), next Omodaru no Mikoto and Kashikone no Mikoto, next Izanagi no Mikoto and Izanami no Mikoto. 樴 means a stake.

Izanagi no Mikoto and Izanami no Mikoto stood on the Floating Bridge of Heaven (天浮橋) and took counsel together. "Can there be no land below?"

Then with the jeweled spear of heaven (天之瓊矛) they pointed down and sounded, and they found the blue sea. The brine that dripped from the point of the spear hardened into an island, and it was named Onogoro Island (磤馭慮島).

The two gods went down and dwelt on that island, and they wished to become husband and wife together and to give birth to islands and lands. So they made Onogoro Island the pillar at the center of the land, and the male god turned to the left and the female god turned to the right. They went around the pillar of the land apart from each other, and they met together on one side.

Then the female god spoke first. "How glad I am! I have met a fair young man."

The male god was not pleased. "I am a man. By right I should speak first. How is it that a woman speaks first instead? This is not a good beginning. We should go around again."

So the two gods drew back and met again, and this time the male god spoke first. "How glad I am! I have met a fair young woman."

Then he asked the female god, "Is there anything formed in your body?"

She answered, "In my body there is one place that is the source of the female."

The male god said, "In my body too there is a place that is the source of the male. I wish to join the source in my body to the source in your body."

Then the yin and the yang first came together, and they became husband and wife.

When the time of birth came, they first made Awaji Island (淡路洲) the afterbirth. It was not pleasing to their hearts, and so they named it Awaji.

Then they gave birth to Oyamato Toyoakitsu Island (大日本豐秋津洲), next to Iyonofutana Island (伊豫二名洲), next to Tsukushi Island (筑紫洲), and next they bore Oki Island (隱岐洲) and Sado Island (佐度洲) as twins. That people in the world sometimes bear twins is in the likeness of this. Next they gave birth to Koshi Island (越洲), next to Oho Island (大洲), and next to Kibinoko Island (吉備子洲).

From this the name of the Land of the Eight Great Islands (大八洲國) first arose. Tsushima (對馬島) and Iki (壹岐島) and the small islands here and there were all made of the foam of the sea hardening. It is also said that they were made of the foam of the water hardening.

Another account says: the gods of heaven said to Izanagi no Mikoto and Izanami no Mikoto, "There is the land of Toyoashihara, the fair rice ears of the fifteen hundred autumns (豐葦原千五百秋瑞穗之地). Go there and rule it." Then they gave them the jeweled spear of heaven.

So the two gods stood on the Floating Bridge of Heaven and threw down the spear to seek the land, and they stirred the blue sea and drew it up. The brine that hung and fell from the point of the spear hardened and became an island, named Onogoro Island. The two gods went down and dwelt on that island, and they made a hall of eight fathoms and set up a pillar of heaven.

The male god asked the female god, "Is there anything formed in your body?"

She answered, "My body is fully formed, and there is one place in it that is called the source of the yin."

The male god said, "My body too is fully formed, and there is one place in it that is called the source of the yang. I wish to join the source of the yang in my body to the source of the yin in your body."

Then they were about to go around the pillar of heaven, and they made a promise. "You go around from the left, and I will go around from the right."

When they had gone around apart and met each other, the female god spoke first. "How fair! A lovely young man." The male god answered after her. "How fair! A lovely young woman." And so they became husband and wife.

First they gave birth to Hiruko (蛭兒), and they put him in a boat of reeds and set him adrift. Next they gave birth to Awa Island (淡洲), and this too they did not count among their children. So they went up again to heaven and told the whole matter.

Then the gods of heaven divined by the great divination (太占) and taught them. "Were not the woman's words the first to come out? Go back down again." Then they divined and fixed the day and the hour, and sent them down.

So the two gods went around the pillar again, the male god from the left and the female god from the right. When they met, the male god spoke first. "How fair! A lovely young woman." The female god answered after him. "How fair! A lovely young man."

After that they dwelt together in one palace and bore children. The first was named Oyamato Toyoakitsu Island. Next were Awaji Island, Iyonofutana Island, Tsukushi Island, Okinomitsugo Island (隱岐三子洲), Sado Island, Koshi Island, and Kibinoko Island. From this it is called the Land of the Eight Great Islands.

瑞 is read mizu, 妍哉 is read ananieya, 可愛 is read e, and 太占 is read futomani.

Another account says: the two gods Izanagi no Mikoto and Izanami no Mikoto stood in the mist of heaven and said, "I wish to get a land." Then they let down the jeweled spear of heaven and sounded with it, and they got Onogoro Island. They drew up the spear and rejoiced, saying, "How good! There is a land."

Another account says: the two gods Izanagi and Izanami sat in Takamanohara and said, "Surely there should be a land." Then with the jeweled spear of heaven they stirred and made Onogoro Island.

Another account says: the two gods Izanagi and Izanami said to each other, "There is a thing like floating oil. Is there not a land within it?" Then with the jeweled spear of heaven they sounded and made an island, named Onogoro Island.

Another account says: the female god spoke first. "How beautiful! A good young man." Because the female god had spoken first it was held to be unlucky, and they went around again. Then the male god spoke first. "How beautiful! A good young woman."

They were about to come together, but they did not know the way of it. Then a wagtail came flying and shook its head and its tail, and the two gods saw it and learned from it, and so they got the way of coming together.

Another account says: the two gods came together and became husband and wife. They first made Awaji Island and Awa Island the afterbirth, and gave birth to Oyamato Toyoakitsu Island. Next were Iyo Island (伊豫洲), then Tsukushi Island, then Oki Island and Sado Island as twins, then Koshi Island, then Oho Island, then Ko Island (子洲).

Another account says: first they gave birth to Awaji Island, next to Oyamato Toyoakitsu Island, next to Iyonofutana Island, next to Oki Island, next to Sado Island, next to Tsukushi Island, next to Iki Island (壹岐洲), next to Tsushima Island (對馬洲).

Another account says: they made Onogoro Island the afterbirth and gave birth to Awaji Island, next to Oyamato Toyoakitsu Island, next to Iyonofutana Island, next to Tsukushi Island, next to Kibinoko Island, next to Oki Island and Sado Island as twins, next to Koshi Island.

Another account says: they made Awaji Island the afterbirth and gave birth to Oyamato Toyoakitsu Island, next to Awa Island, next to Iyonofutana Island, next to Okinomitsugo Island, next to Sado Island, next to Tsukushi Island, next to Kibinoko Island, next to Oho Island.

Another account says: the female god spoke first. "How fair! A lovely young man." Then she took the male god's hand, and so they became husband and wife. They gave birth to Awaji Island, and next to Hiruko.

Next they gave birth to the sea, next to the rivers, next to the mountains, next to Kukunochi (句句迺馳), the ancestor of trees, and next to Kayanohime (草野姬), the ancestor of grasses, who is also named Nozuchi (野槌).

Then Izanagi no Mikoto and Izanami no Mikoto took counsel together. "We have already given birth to the Land of the Eight Great Islands and to the mountains and rivers and grasses and trees. Why should we not give birth to one who will be lord of all under heaven?"

Then together they bore the goddess of the sun, called Ohohirumenomuchi (大日孁貴). This child shone with light and brightness, and her shining went through all the six quarters.

So the two gods rejoiced. "Many as our children are, there has been none so divine and wondrous as this child. She should not be kept long in this land. She should be sent up to heaven early and given charge of the affairs of heaven."

At this time heaven and earth were not yet far apart, and so they raised her up to heaven by the pillar of heaven.

Next they gave birth to the god of the moon. His light and brightness were next to the sun's, and he was fit to rule as her mate, and so he too was sent up to heaven.

Next they gave birth to Hiruko. Though he was already three years old his legs would not stand, and so they put him in the rock camphor boat of heaven (天磐櫲樟船) and set him adrift before the wind.

Next they gave birth to Susanoo no Mikoto (素戔嗚尊). This god was fierce and strong and took cruelty lightly, and he made a practice of weeping and wailing, so that many of the people in the land died young and the green mountains withered.

So his father and mother, the two gods, commanded Susanoo no Mikoto. "You are utterly without the way. You cannot be lord over the world. You must go far away to Nenokuni (根國)." And at last they drove him out.

Another account says: Izanagi no Mikoto said, "I wish to give birth to a precious child who will rule the world."

Then he took a white copper mirror in his left hand, and a god came forth by change, called Ohohirume no Mikoto (大日孁尊). He took a white copper mirror in his right hand, and a god came forth by change, called Tsukuyumi no Mikoto. Again, as he turned his head and looked aside, a god came into being by change, called Susanoo no Mikoto.

Now Ohohirume no Mikoto and Tsukuyumi no Mikoto were both bright and fair in nature, and so they were set to shine upon heaven and earth. Susanoo no Mikoto was of a nature that loved to do harm, and so he was sent down to rule Nenokuni.

珍 is read uzu, and 顧眄之間 is read mirumasakarini.

Another account says: when the sun and the moon had been born, next they gave birth to Hiruko. This child was full three years old and yet his legs would not stand. At the first, when Izanagi no Mikoto and Izanami no Mikoto went around the pillar, the female god was the first to utter words of gladness, and this went against the way of the yin and the yang. That is why Hiruko was now born.

Next they gave birth to Susanoo no Mikoto. This god was evil in nature and loved always to weep and rage, so that many of the people of the land died and the green mountains withered. So his father and mother commanded him. "If you were to rule this land, you would surely harm and wound much. Therefore you must govern Nenokuni, which is very far away."

Next they gave birth to the bird rock camphor boat (鳥磐櫲樟橡船), and they put Hiruko in this boat and set him adrift on the stream.

Next they gave birth to Kagutsuchi (軻遇突智), the god of fire, and at that time Izanami no Mikoto was burned by Kagutsuchi and died. As she lay dying she gave birth to Haniyamahime (埴山姬), the goddess of the earth, and Mitsuhanome (罔象女), the goddess of the water.

Then Kagutsuchi took Haniyamahime to wife and begot Wakumusubi (稚產靈). On the head of this god the silkworm and the mulberry were born, and in his navel the five grains were born. 罔象 is read mitsuha.

Another account says: when Izanami no Mikoto gave birth to Homusubi (火產靈), she was burned by her child and the god withdrew (神退). It is also said that the god departed (神避).

As she was about to withdraw she gave birth to Mitsuhanome, the goddess of the water, and Haniyamahime, the goddess of the earth, and also to Amanoyosazura (天吉葛). 天吉葛 is read Amanoyosazura, and one account has Yosozura.

Another account says: when Izanami no Mikoto was about to give birth to Kagutsuchi, the god of fire, she was stifled and hot and in distress, and she vomited. This changed and became a god, named Kanayamahiko (金山彥). Next she made water, and it changed and became a god, named Mitsuhanome. Next she voided, and it changed and became a god, named Haniyamahime.

Another account says: when Izanami no Mikoto gave birth to the god of fire she was burned, and the god withdrew. So she was buried at the village of Arima in Kumano, in the land of Kii (紀伊國).

In the custom of that place, when they worship the spirit of this god, in the season of flowers they worship with flowers, and they worship also with drums and flutes and banners, singing and dancing.

Another account says: Izanagi no Mikoto and Izanami no Mikoto together gave birth to the Land of the Eight Great Islands.

After that Izanagi no Mikoto said, "In the land I have borne there is nothing but morning mist, and it lies thick everywhere." Then the breath with which he blew it away changed and became a god, called Shinatobe no Mikoto (級長戶邊命), also called Shinatsuhiko no Mikoto (級長津彥命). This is the god of the wind.

When he was hungry he begot a child, called Ukanomitama no Mikoto (倉稻魂命). He also gave birth to the gods of the sea, called Watatsumi no Mikoto (少童命); to the gods of the mountains, called Yamatsumi (山祇); to the gods of the river mouths, called Hayaakitsuhi no Mikoto (速秋津日命); to the gods of the trees, called Kukunochi; and to the god of the earth, called Haniyasu no Kami (埴安神). After that he gave birth to all things.

When Kagutsuchi, the god of fire, was born, his mother Izanami no Mikoto was burned and passed away by change. Then Izanagi no Mikoto was bitter and said, "Have I given my beloved wife for one child alone?" He crept about her head and crept about her feet, wailing and weeping and shedding tears. His tears fell and became a god. This is the god who dwells under the tree on the hill of Unebi, called Nakisawame no Mikoto (啼澤女命).

At last he drew the ten-span sword (十握劒) that he wore and cut Kagutsuchi into three pieces, and each of them changed and became a god.

The blood that dripped from the blade of the sword became the five hundred rocks that are on the bank of Amanoyasukawa, and this is the ancestor of Futsunushi no Kami (經津主神). The blood that dripped from the sword guard leapt up and became gods, called Mikahayahi no Kami (甕速日神), and next Hinohayahi no Kami (熯速日神). That Mikahayahi no Kami is the ancestor of Takemikazuchi no Kami (武甕槌神). They are also called Mikahayahi no Mikoto, and next Hinohayahi no Mikoto, and next Takemikazuchi no Kami. The blood that dripped from the point of the sword also leapt up and became gods, called Iwasaku no Kami (磐裂神), and next Nesaku no Kami (根裂神), and next Iwatsutsunoo no Mikoto (磐筒男命).

One account has Iwatsutsunoo no Mikoto and Iwatsutsunome no Mikoto. The blood that dripped from the head of the sword also leapt up and became gods, called Kuraokami (闇龗), and next Kurayamatsumi (闇山祇), and next Kuramitsuha (闇罔象).

After that Izanagi no Mikoto followed Izanami no Mikoto into Yomi (黄泉), and when he reached her and they spoke together, Izanami no Mikoto said, "My lord and husband, why have you come so late? I have already eaten at the hearth of Yomi. Even so, I am about to sleep. I pray you, do not look upon me."

Izanagi no Mikoto did not listen. He secretly took the many-toothed comb (湯津爪櫛) and broke off one of its thick teeth and made a torch of it, and when he looked, pus was boiling and worms were swarming. That people in the world now shun a single flame at night, and shun throwing down a comb at night, is because of this.

Then Izanagi no Mikoto was greatly frightened and said, "Without meaning to, I have come to a foul and filthy land." And he ran back in haste.

Then Izanami no Mikoto was bitter and said, "Why did you not keep the word you pledged? You have put me to shame." So she sent eight ugly women of Yomi (泉津醜女) to pursue him and hold him.

So Izanagi no Mikoto drew his sword and swung it behind him as he fled. He threw down his black headband, and it changed at once into wild grapes. The ugly women saw them and picked them and ate them, and when they had eaten they pursued him again. Izanagi no Mikoto threw down his many-toothed comb, and it changed at once into bamboo shoots. The ugly women pulled them up and ate them, and when they had eaten they pursued him again.

After that Izanami no Mikoto came herself and pursued him. By this time Izanagi no Mikoto had already reached the even pass of Yomi (泉津平坂).

One account is this. "Izanagi no Mikoto made water against a great tree, and it changed at once into a great river. While the woman of Yomi was crossing that water, Izanagi no Mikoto had already reached the even pass of Yomi.

So he blocked the road of the pass with a rock that a thousand men could draw, and he stood facing Izanami no Mikoto, and there he made the vow of parting from his wife.

Then Izanami no Mikoto said, "My beloved husband, if you speak so, I will strangle a thousand of the people of the land you rule each day."

Izanagi no Mikoto answered her, "My beloved wife, if you speak so, I will cause fifteen hundred to be born each day."

Then he said, "Come no further than this." And he threw down his staff, and this is called Funado no Kami (岐神). He threw down his sash, and this is called Nagachiha no Kami (長道磐神). He threw down his garment, and this is called Wazurai no Kami (煩神). He threw down his trousers, and this is called Akikui no Kami (開囓神). He threw down his shoes, and this is called Chishiki no Kami (道敷神).

As for the even pass of Yomi, some say that what is called the even pass of Yomi is no place apart, but only the moment when the breath fails at the point of death. The rock that blocked the way is called Yomidosae no Okami (泉門塞之大神), and also Chigaeshi no Okami (道返大神).

When Izanagi no Mikoto had come back he repented and said, "I went before to a foul and filthy place. I must wash away the filth of my body." Then he went to Awakihara, at Odo of Tachibana in Himuka of Tsukushi, and there he purified himself.

At last, as he was about to wash the foulness of his body, he said, "The upper shallows are too swift, and the lower shallows are too weak." So he washed in the middle shallows. The god born from this is called Yasomagatsuhi no Kami (八十枉津日神). Next, to set right what was crooked, a god was born called Kannaohi no Kami (神直日神), and next Onaohi no Kami (大直日神). He sank and washed at the bottom of the sea, and the god born from this is called Sokotsuwatatsumi no Mikoto (底津少童命), and next Sokotsutsunoo no Mikoto (底筒男命).

He sank and washed in the midst of the tide, and the god born from this is called Nakatsuwatatsumi no Mikoto (中津少童命), and next Nakatsutsunoo no Mikoto (中筒男命). He floated and washed on the top of the tide, and the god born from this is called Uwatsuwatatsumi no Mikoto (表津少童命), and next Uwatsutsunoo no Mikoto (表筒男命). These are nine gods in all.

Those three, Sokotsutsunoo and Nakatsutsunoo and Uwatsutsunoo, are the great gods of Suminoe (住吉大神). The three Watatsumi, Sokotsu and Nakatsu and Uwatsu, are the gods worshipped by the Azumi no Muraji (阿曇連).

After that he washed his left eye, and the god born from this is called Amaterasu Omikami (天照大神). He washed his right eye, and the god born from this is called Tsukuyomi no Mikoto (月讀尊). He washed his nose, and the god born from this is called Susanoo no Mikoto. These are three gods in all.

Then Izanagi no Mikoto gave charge to his three children. "Amaterasu Omikami is fit to rule Takamanohara. Tsukuyomi no Mikoto is fit to rule the eightfold tides of the blue sea plain. Susanoo no Mikoto is fit to rule all under heaven."

At this time Susanoo no Mikoto was already grown and had a beard eight spans long, yet he did not rule all under heaven, and he wept and raged and was bitter without ceasing. So Izanagi no Mikoto asked him, "Why do you weep like this always?"

He answered, "I wish to follow my mother to Nenokuni. That alone is why I weep."

Izanagi no Mikoto hated this and said, "Go where your heart takes you." And he drove him out.

Another account says: Izanagi no Mikoto drew his sword and cut Kagutsuchi into three pieces. One piece became Ikazuchi no Kami (雷神), one piece became Oyamatsumi no Kami (大山祇神), and one piece became Takaokami (高龗).

It also says: when he cut Kagutsuchi, his blood leapt up and stained the five hundred rocks that are in Amanoyasokawa, and from this they changed and became gods, called Iwasaku no Kami, and next Nesaku no Kami, whose child was Iwatsutsunoo no Kami, and next Iwatsutsunome no Kami, whose child was Futsunushi no Kami.

倉稻魂 is read Ukanomitama. 少童 is read watatsumi. 頭邊 is read makurahe. 脚邊 is read adohe. 熯 means fire, and its sound is 而 and 善 joined. 龗 is read okami, and its sound is 力 and 丁 joined. 吾夫君 is read aganase. 飡泉之竈 is read yomotsuheguhi. 秉炬 is read tabi. 不須也凶目汚穢 is read inashikomekikitanaki. 醜女 is read shikome. 背揮 is read shirihedenifuku. 泉津平坂 is read Yomotsuhirasaka. 㞙 is read yumari, and its sound is 乃 and 弔 joined. 絕妻之誓 is read kotodo. 岐神 is read Funado no Kami. 檍 is read awaki.

Another account says: Izanagi no Mikoto cut Kagutsuchi no Mikoto into five pieces, and each of them changed and became one of the five Yamatsumi. The first, the head, changed and became Oyamatsumi. The second, the trunk, changed and became Nakayamatsumi. The third, the hands, changed and became Hayamatsumi (麓山祇). The fourth, the waist, changed and became Masakayamatsumi (正勝山祇). The fifth, the feet, changed and became Shigiyamatsumi (鴫山祇).

At this time the blood of the cutting scattered and stained the stones and the gravel and the trees and the grasses. This is why the grasses and trees and sand and stones hold fire of themselves.

麓 is the foot of a mountain, and it is read hayama. 正勝 is read masakatsu, and one account has masakazu. 䨄 is read shigi, and its sound is 鳥 and 含 joined.

Another account says: Izanagi no Mikoto wished to see his wife, and he came to the place where she was laid. At that time Izanami no Mikoto came out to meet him and spoke with him as if she were still alive. Then she said to Izanagi no Mikoto, "My lord and husband, I pray you, do not look upon me." When she had spoken she vanished all at once, and it was dark.

Then Izanagi no Mikoto held up a single flame and looked, and Izanami no Mikoto was swollen and risen very high, and upon her were eight kinds of thunder. Izanagi no Mikoto was frightened and ran back.

Then all the thunders rose and pursued him. There was a great peach tree beside the road, and Izanagi no Mikoto hid beneath that tree, and he picked its fruit and threw it at the thunders, and all the thunders drew back and fled. This is why the peach drives off demons.

Then Izanagi no Mikoto threw down his staff and said, "From this place inward the thunders shall not dare to come." This is called Funado no Kami, and its first name was Kunado no Sae no Kami (來名戶之祖神).

The eight thunders are these. The one in the head is called Oikazuchi (大雷). The one in the breast is called Hoikazuchi (火雷). The one in the belly is called Tsuchiikazuchi (土雷). The one in the back is called Wakaikazuchi (稚雷). The one in the buttocks is called Kuroikazuchi (黑雷). The one in the hands is called Yamaikazuchi (山雷). The one on the feet is called Noikazuchi (野雷). The one above the privy parts is called Sakuikazuchi (裂雷).

Another account says: Izanagi no Mikoto followed until he came to the place where Izanami no Mikoto was, and he said to her, "I came because I grieved for you."

She answered, "My kinsman, do not look upon me."

Izanagi no Mikoto did not obey and looked at her all the same. So Izanami no Mikoto was ashamed and bitter, and said, "You have seen my heart. Now I will see yours." Then Izanagi no Mikoto was ashamed as well, and he was about to go out and return.

At that time he did not go back in silence, but made a vow. "I part from my kin." And he said again, "I will not be beaten by my kin." Then the god born from his spittle is called Hayatamanoo (速玉之男), and next the god born from his sweeping is called Yomotsukotosakanoo (泉津事解之男), two gods in all.

When he strove with his wife at the even pass of Yomi, Izanagi no Mikoto said, "That I grieved for my kin at the first and was moved to sorrow was weakness in me."

Then the keeper of the road of Yomi reported, "There were words. She said, 'You and I have already given birth to a land. Why should we seek to give birth again? I will stay in this land, and I cannot go with you.'"

At this time Kukurihime no Kami (菊理媛神) also had something to report, and Izanagi no Mikoto heard it and thought it good, and so they parted and went away.

Yet he had seen the land of Yomi with his own eyes, and this was already unlucky. So, wishing to wash away the foul and evil thing, he went to look at Awanominato (粟門) and Hayasuinado (速吸名門). But in these two straits the tide was already too swift. So he turned back to Odo of Tachibana (小門) and washed there.

Then he went into the water and blew, and Iwatsuchi no Mikoto (磐土命) was born. He came out of the water and blew, and Onaohi no Kami was born. He went in again and blew, and Sokotsuchi no Mikoto (底土命) was born. He came out and blew, and Oayatsuhi no Kami (大綾津日神) was born. He went in again and blew, and Akatsuchi no Mikoto (赤土命) was born. He came out and blew, and the many gods of the earth and of the sea plain were born.

不負於族 is read ugaramakeji.

Another account says: Izanagi no Mikoto gave charge to his three children. "Amaterasu Omikami is fit to rule Takamanohara. Tsukuyomi no Mikoto (月夜見尊) is fit to be the mate of the sun and to have charge of the affairs of heaven. Susanoo no Mikoto is fit to rule the blue sea plain."

Then Amaterasu Omikami, being in heaven, said, "I hear that in Ashihara no Nakatsukuni (葦原中國) there is Ukemochi no Kami (保食神). Go, Tsukuyomi no Mikoto, and look upon her."

Tsukuyomi no Mikoto received the command and went down. When he came to where Ukemochi no Kami was, she turned her head toward the land, and boiled rice came out of her mouth. She turned toward the sea, and fish with broad fins and fish with narrow fins came out of her mouth. She turned toward the mountains, and beasts with rough hair and beasts with soft hair came out of her mouth. When all these things were made ready, she set them on a hundred tables and feasted him.

Then Tsukuyomi no Mikoto changed color in anger and said, "How foul! How mean! Will you dare to feed me with what you have spat from your mouth?" And he drew his sword and struck her dead.

Then he went back and reported, and told the whole matter. Amaterasu Omikami was greatly angered and said, "You are an evil god. I will not look upon you." And she dwelt apart from Tsukuyomi no Mikoto, with one day and one night between them.

After this Amaterasu Omikami sent Amenokumahito (天熊人) to go and see. At that time Ukemochi no Kami was indeed dead. Only the crown of the god's head was there, and it changed and became the ox and the horse. On her brow millet was born, on her eyebrows the silkworm cocoon, in her eyes panic grass, in her belly rice, and in her privy parts wheat and beans and small beans. Amenokumahito gathered them all and carried them away and presented them.

Then Amaterasu Omikami rejoiced and said, "These things are what the people that are seen may eat and live by.

Then she made the millet and the panic grass and the wheat and the beans the seed of the dry fields, and the rice the seed of the wet fields. She also appointed the village lords of heaven (天邑君), and she first planted that rice seed in Amanosanada (天狹田) and Nagata (長田). That autumn the ears hung down eight spans long and grew thick, and it was a great gladness.

She also held a cocoon in her mouth, and she was able to draw thread from it. From this the way of rearing silkworms began.

保食神 is read Ukemochi no Kami. 顯見蒼生 is read utsushikiaohitokusa.

Then Susanoo no Mikoto asked, "I now obey what I have been taught, and I am going to Nenokuni. So I wish to go for a while to Takamanohara and see my elder sister, and after that to withdraw forever." The command allowed it, and so he went up to heaven.

After this the divine work of Izanagi no Mikoto was finished and the time had come for his spirit to pass. So he built a hidden palace on the island of Awaji and hid himself there in silence forever. It is also said that Izanagi no Mikoto, his work being fulfilled and his virtue great, went up to heaven and reported, and stayed and dwelt in the Young Palace of the Sun (日之少宮).

When Susanoo no Mikoto first went up to heaven, the great sea boiled with it and the mountains roared with it. This was because the nature of the god was fierce and strong.

Amaterasu Omikami had known from of old that this god was violent and evil, and when she heard that he was coming she started up in alarm and said, "My younger brother does not come with good intent. Surely he means to take my land. Our father and mother gave their children their realms, and each has his own bounds. How can he leave the land he is to go to and dare to spy upon this place?"

Then she bound her hair into topknots and tied up her skirt into trousers. She wound the string of five hundred Yasakani jewels (八坂瓊之五百箇御統) about her topknots and her hair bands and her wrists. On her back she bore a quiver of a thousand arrows and a quiver of five hundred arrows, and on her arm she wore the high elbow guard of awe (稜威之高鞆). She shook her bow and raised it, she gripped the hilt of her sword, she stamped the hard ground until her thighs sank into it, she kicked the earth apart like foam snow, she raised a mighty cry of awe and uttered a rebuke of awe, and she questioned him straight out.

Susanoo no Mikoto answered, "I had no dark heart at the first. It is only that our father and mother have already given a stern command, and I am going forever to Nenokuni. If I may not see my elder sister, how could I dare to go? For this I have made my way through cloud and mist and come from far away. I did not look for my sister to set so stern a face against me."

Then Amaterasu Omikami asked again, "If it is so, how will you make your true heart plain?"

He answered, "I pray that I may swear together with my sister. In the midst of the vow we shall surely bear children. If what I bear is a girl, take it that I have a turbid heart. If it is a boy, take it that I have a clear heart."

Then Amaterasu Omikami asked for the ten-span sword of Susanoo no Mikoto and took it and broke it into three pieces. She washed them in Amanomanai (天眞名井) and crunched and chewed them, and from the fine mist of the breath she blew away the gods were born, called Takorihime (田心姬), and next Tagitsuhime (湍津姬), and next Ichikishimahime (市杵嶋姬). These are three daughters in all.

Then Susanoo no Mikoto asked for the string of five hundred Yasakani jewels wound about the topknots and hair bands and wrists of Amaterasu Omikami, and he took it and washed it in Amanomanai and crunched and chewed it, and from the fine mist of the breath he blew away a god was born, called Masakaakatsukachihayahi Amenooshihomimi no Mikoto (正哉吾勝勝速日天忍穂耳尊), and next Amenohohi no Mikoto (天穂日命), next Amatsuhikone no Mikoto (天津彥根命), next Ikutsuhikone no Mikoto (活津彥根命), next Kumano no Kusubi no Mikoto (熊野橡樟日命).

These are five boys in all. At this time Amaterasu Omikami commanded, "If one traces the root of the things, the string of five hundred Yasakani jewels was mine. Therefore those five male gods are all my children." And she took them and reared them as her own.

She commanded again, "That ten-span sword was the thing of Susanoo no Mikoto. Therefore these three goddesses are all your children." And she gave them to Susanoo no Mikoto. These are the gods worshipped by the Munakata no Kimi (胸肩君) of Tsukushi.

Another account says: the sun goddess knew from of old that Susanoo no Mikoto had a fierce and overbearing mind, and when he came up she said, "My brother does not come with good intent. He surely means to take my plain of heaven."

Then she put on the armor of a man. She wore at her side the ten-span sword and the nine-span sword and the eight-span sword. On her back she bore a quiver, on her arm she wore the high elbow guard of awe, and in her hand she held bow and arrows, and she met him herself and stood on guard.

Then Susanoo no Mikoto said, "I have no evil heart at the first. I wished only to see my elder sister, and I have come for a while, that is all."

Then the sun goddess stood facing Susanoo no Mikoto and made a vow. "If your heart is bright and pure and you have no mind to overbear and take, the children you bear will surely be male."

When she had spoken she first ate the ten-span sword she wore and bore a child, called Okitsushimahime (瀛津嶋姬). She ate the nine-span sword and bore a child, called Tagitsuhime. She ate the eight-span sword and bore a child, called Takorihime. These are three goddesses in all.

Then Susanoo no Mikoto took the string of five hundred jewels that hung at his neck and washed it in Amanonunai (天渟名井), which is also called Izanagi no Manai (去來之眞名井), and he ate it and bore a child, called Masakaakatsukachihayahi Amenooshihone no Mikoto (正哉吾勝勝速日天忍骨尊), and next Amatsuhikone no Mikoto, next Ikutsuhikone no Mikoto, next Amenohohi no Mikoto, next Kumano no Oshihomi no Mikoto (熊野忍蹈命). These are five male gods in all.

So Susanoo no Mikoto had the proof that he had won. Then the sun goddess knew for the first time that Susanoo no Mikoto had no evil intent, and she made the three goddesses she had borne go down to Tsukushi Island, and she taught them, "You three gods shall go down and dwell in the midst of the road, and help and serve the heavenly grandson, and be worshipped by the heavenly grandson."

Another account says: when Susanoo no Mikoto was about to go up to heaven there was a god called Haakarutama (羽明玉). This god met him with reverence and offered him the auspicious curved jewels of Yasakani. So Susanoo no Mikoto took those jewels and came up to heaven.

At this time Amaterasu Omikami suspected that her brother had an evil heart, and she raised troops and questioned him.

Susanoo no Mikoto answered, "I came in truth to see my elder sister, and to offer the rare treasure, the auspicious curved jewels of Yasakani. I have no other intent."

Then Amaterasu Omikami asked again, "How will you prove whether your words are empty or true?"

He answered, "I pray that my sister and I may make a vow together. In the making of the vow, to bear a girl is a dark heart, and to bear a boy is a true heart."

Then they dug Amanomanai in three places and stood facing each other.

At this time Amaterasu Omikami said to Susanoo no Mikoto, "I will now give you the sword I wear. You shall give me the curved jewels of Yasakani that you hold." So they promised and exchanged them.

Then Amaterasu Omikami floated and dipped the curved jewels of Yasakani in Amanomanai, and she bit off the end of the jewels, and from the breath she blew out a god came into being by change, called Ichikishimahime no Mikoto. This is she who dwells in the far sea. She bit off the middle of the jewels, and from the breath she blew out a god came into being by change, called Takorihime no Mikoto. This is she who dwells in the middle sea. She bit off the tail of the jewels, and from the breath she blew out a god came into being by change, called Tagitsuhime no Mikoto. This is she who dwells by the shore. These are three goddesses in all.

Then Susanoo no Mikoto floated and dipped the sword he held in Amanomanai, and he bit off the point of the sword, and from the breath he blew out a god came into being by change, called Amenohohi no Mikoto, and next Masakaakatsukachihayahi Amenooshihone no Mikoto, next Amatsuhikone no Mikoto, next Ikutsuhikone no Mikoto, next Kumano no Kusubi no Mikoto. These are five male gods, it is said.

Another account says: the sun goddess and Susanoo no Mikoto faced each other across Amanoyasukawa (天安河). Then they made a vow. "If you have no mind to harm, the children you bear will surely be male. If you bear males, I will take them as my children and let them rule the plain of heaven."

Then the sun goddess first ate his ten-span sword, and the child born by change was Okitsushimahime no Mikoto, who is also called Ichikishimahime no Mikoto. She ate the nine-span sword, and the child born by change was Tagitsuhime no Mikoto. She ate the eight-span sword, and the child born by change was Takirihime no Mikoto (田霧姬命).

Then Susanoo no Mikoto held in his mouth the string of five hundred jewels wound about his left topknot and set it in the palm of his left hand, and it changed at once and a boy was born. Then he said, "Truly I have won." And from this the child was named Kachihayahi Amenooshihomimi no Mikoto (勝速日天忍穗耳尊).

Again he held the jewels of his right topknot in his mouth and set them in the palm of his right hand, and Amenohohi no Mikoto was born by change. Again he held the jewels that hung at his neck in his mouth and set them in his left arm, and Amatsuhikone no Mikoto was born by change. From his right arm Ikutsuhikone no Mikoto was born by change. From his left foot Hinohayahi no Mikoto was born by change. From his right foot Kumano no Oshihomi no Mikoto was born by change, who is also called Kumano no Oshikuma no Mikoto (熊野忍隅命).

The children Susanoo no Mikoto bore were all male. So the sun goddess knew for the first time that Susanoo no Mikoto had a true heart at the root, and she took those six boys and made them the children of the sun goddess and let them rule the plain of heaven.

The three goddesses the sun goddess had borne she made go down and dwell on the island of Usa (宇佐嶋) in Ashihara no Nakatsukuni. They are now in the midst of the road north of the sea, and they are called Michinushi no Muchi (道主貴). These are the gods worshipped by the Minuma no Kimi (水沼君) of Tsukushi.

熯 means to dry, and it is read hi.

After this the deeds of Susanoo no Mikoto were beyond all bearing.

For Amaterasu Omikami had made Amanosanada and Nagata her own fields, and Susanoo no Mikoto in spring sowed the seed twice over and broke down the ridges, and in autumn he loosed the dappled colt of heaven and made it lie down in the middle of the field. Again, when he saw that Amaterasu Omikami was holding the feast of the new grain, he secretly voided in the new palace. Again, when he saw Amaterasu Omikami weaving the garments of the gods in the hall of the sacred loom, he flayed the dappled colt of heaven and broke a hole in the roof of the hall and threw it in.

At this Amaterasu Omikami started in alarm and was wounded by her shuttle. From this she grew angry, and she went into the rock cave of heaven (天石窟) and shut the rock door and dwelt hidden there. So all within the six quarters was dark always, and there was no knowing the turning of night and day.

Then the eight hundred thousand gods gathered on the bank of Amanoyasukawa and took counsel on how they might pray. So Omoikane no Kami (思兼神) planned deeply and thought far, and at last he gathered the long-singing birds of Tokoyo (常世) and made them sing long to one another. He also set Tajikarao no Kami (手力雄神) beside the rock door.

And Amenokoyane no Mikoto (天兒屋命), the far ancestor of the Nakatomi no Muraji (中臣連), and Futodama no Mikoto (太玉命), the far ancestor of the Inbe (忌部), dug up by the roots five hundred sakaki trees of Amanokaguyama (天香山). On the upper branches they hung the string of five hundred Yasakani jewels, on the middle branches they hung the mirror of eight hands (八咫鏡), and on the lower branches they hung blue offerings and white offerings, and together they made their prayer.

And Amenouzume no Mikoto (天鈿女命), the far ancestor of the Sarume no Kimi (猿女君), took in her hand a spear wound with grass, and she stood before the door of the rock cave of heaven and made a skillful play.

She also made a headdress of the sakaki of Amanokaguyama, and she made shoulder cords of moss, and she kindled fire, and she turned a tub upside down and spoke as one possessed by a god.

Then Amaterasu Omikami heard it and said, "Since I shut myself in the rock cave, I thought that Toyoashihara no Nakatsukuni must be in long night. Why does Amenouzume no Mikoto make merry like this?"

Then with her hand she opened the rock door a little and looked out. At that moment Tajikarao no Kami took the hand of Amaterasu Omikami and drew her out. Then the god of the Nakatomi and the god of the Inbe drew a boundary with the shirikumenawa (端出之繩) and asked her, "Do not go back again."

After that the gods laid the fault upon Susanoo no Mikoto and set upon him the fine of a thousand tables (千座置戶), and at last they pressed him and took it. They made him pull out his hair to atone for his guilt. It is also said that they made him pull out the nails of his hands and feet to atone. Then at last they drove him down.

Another account says: after this Wakahirume no Mikoto (稚日女尊) sat in the hall of the sacred loom and was weaving the garment of the god. Susanoo no Mikoto saw it, and he flayed a dappled colt backward and threw it into the hall. Wakahirume no Mikoto started in alarm and fell from the loom, and she was wounded by the shuttle she held, and the god withdrew.

So Amaterasu Omikami said to Susanoo no Mikoto, "You still have a dark heart. I do not wish to see you." And she went into the rock cave of heaven and shut the rock door fast. Then all under heaven was dark always, and there was no more difference of night and day.

So they gathered the eight hundred thousand gods at Amanotakeichi (天高市) and asked them. Then there was one called Omoikane no Kami, the child of Takamimusubi, who had the wisdom of thought. He thought and said, "It would be well to make an image of that god and to call her with prayer."

So they made Ishikoridome (石凝姥) the smith, and took metal from Amanokaguyama and made the spear of the sun. They also flayed a true deer whole and made the bellows of heaven. The god they made with these is the god Hinokuma (日前神) who is in the land of Kii.

石凝姥 is read Ishikoridome. 全剥 is read utsuhagi.

Another account says: the sun goddess made Amanokakita (天垣田) her own field. Then Susanoo no Mikoto in spring filled up the channels and broke down the ridges, and in autumn, when the grain was ripe, he set ropes around it. Again, when the sun goddess was in the weaving hall, he flayed a dappled colt alive and put it inside the hall. All these deeds were beyond all bearing.

Yet the sun goddess, of her kind and loving mind, neither raged nor was bitter, but bore with it all with a level heart.

When the sun goddess was holding the feast of the new grain, Susanoo no Mikoto secretly voided beneath the mat of the new palace. The sun goddess did not know it and sat straight down upon the mat. From this the sun goddess was ill in all her body, and so she raged and was bitter, and she went into the rock cave of heaven and shut its rock door.

Then the gods were troubled. So they made Amenonukado (天糠戶), the far ancestor of the Kagamitsukuribe (鏡作部), make a mirror; and Futodama, the far ancestor of the Inbe, make offerings; and Toyotama (豐玉), the far ancestor of the Tamatsukuribe (玉作部), make jewels. They also made Yamatsuchi (山雷) gather five hundred sakaki trees and eighty jewel wands (玉籤), and Nozuchi gather five hundred field reeds and eighty jewel wands. All these things came and were gathered together.

Then Amenokoyane no Mikoto, the far ancestor of the Nakatomi, prayed with the prayer of the gods. Then the sun goddess opened the rock door for the first time and came out.

At this time the one who put the mirror into the rock cave struck it against the door and made a small flaw. That flaw remains to this day. This is the great god that is honored and hidden at Ise (伊勢).

Then they set a penalty upon Susanoo no Mikoto and demanded of him the things for purification. From this there are the good things cast away from the fingers and the ill things cast away from the toes. His spittle was made the white offering and his mucus the blue offering. With these the purification was finished, and at last they drove him out by the way in which gods drive out.

送糞 is read kusomaru. 玉籤 is read tamakushi. 秡具 is read haraetsumono. 手端吉棄 is read tanasuenoyoshikirabi. 神祝祝之 is read kamuhosakihosakiki. 遂之 is read harau.

Another account says: after this the sun goddess had three fields, called Amanoyasuda (天安田), Amanohirata (天平田), and Amanomuraawaseta (天邑并田). These were all good fields, and they took no harm through long rain or drought.

Susanoo no Mikoto also had three fields, called Amanokuita (天樴田), Amanokawayorita (天川依田), and Amanokuchitota (天口鋭田). These were all barren ground. When it rained they washed away, and when it was dry they burned.

So Susanoo no Mikoto was jealous and harmed his sister's fields. In spring he broke the troughs and filled the channels and broke down the ridges and sowed the seed twice over, and in autumn he drove in stakes and made horses lie down. These evil deeds never ceased. Yet the sun goddess did not rage, but always bore with him with a level and forgiving heart. And so on.

When the sun goddess had shut herself in the rock cave of heaven, the gods sent Amenokoyane no Mikoto, the son of Kogotomusubi (興台產靈), the far ancestor of the Nakatomi no Muraji, to pray.

Then Amenokoyane no Mikoto dug up by the roots a sakaki tree of Amanokaguyama. On the upper branches he hung the mirror of eight hands made by Ishikoridome, the son of Amenonukado, the far ancestor of the Kagamitsukuri. On the middle branches he hung the curved jewels of Yasakani made by Amenoakarutama (天明玉), the son of Izanagi no Mikoto, the far ancestor of the Tamatsukuri. On the lower branches he hung cloth made by Amenohiwashi (天日鷲), the far ancestor of the Inbe of the land of Awa (粟國).

Then he made Futodama no Mikoto, the far ancestor of the Inbe no Obito (忌部首), take them and hold them, and he prayed and spoke with broad and weighty words of praise.

Then the sun goddess heard it and said, "Of late many have made petition, but there have been no words as fair and lovely as these." So she opened the rock door a little and looked out. At this time Amenotajikarao no Kami was waiting beside the rock door, and he drew it open.

The light of the sun goddess filled the six quarters, and so the gods rejoiced greatly.

Then they set upon Susanoo no Mikoto the purification of the thousand tables. His fingernails were made the good things cast away, and his toenails the ill things cast away. Then they made Amenokoyane no Mikoto take charge of the great words of that purification and recite them. That people in the world carefully gather up their own nails is because of this.

Then the gods rebuked Susanoo no Mikoto. "What you have done is beyond all bearing. Therefore you may not dwell in heaven, nor may you dwell in Ashihara no Nakatsukuni. Go quickly to Sokotsunenokuni (底根之國)." And together they drove him down.

At that time the long rains fell. Susanoo no Mikoto bound green grass and made of it a rain hat and a straw cape, and he begged the gods for a night's lodging. The gods said, "You are one who has done foul and evil things with your own hand and is driven out and banished. How can you beg lodging of us?" And they all turned him away together.

For this reason, though the wind and rain were heavy, he could not stay and rest, and he went down in hardship. From that time the world has shunned entering another's house in a rain hat and straw cape, and has shunned entering another's house carrying a bundle of grass. Whoever breaks this must always pay the price of purification. This is a law left from the far past.

After this Susanoo no Mikoto said, "The gods have driven me out. Now I must go forever. How should I go straight away of my own will without seeing my elder sister?" So again he fanned heaven and fanned the land and went up to heaven.

Then Amenouzume saw it and told the sun goddess. The sun goddess said, "My brother does not come up with good intent this time either. Surely he means to take my land. Though I am a woman, why should I shrink from him?"

Then she put on the armor herself. And so on.

Then Susanoo no Mikoto made a vow. "If I have come up again with an ill heart, the child I now bear by chewing the jewels will surely be a girl. If so, send the girl down to Ashihara no Nakatsukuni. If I have a clear heart, I will surely bear a boy. If so, let the boy rule in heaven. And what my sister bears shall be by this same vow."

Then the sun goddess first chewed the ten-span sword. And so on.

Then Susanoo no Mikoto, like a windlass, untied the string of five hundred jewels wound about his left topknot, and with the jewels ringing clear he floated and washed them in Amanonunai. He chewed the end of those jewels and set it in his left palm, and he bore a child, Masakaakatsukachihayahi Amenooshihone no Mikoto.

Again he chewed the jewels on the right and set them in his right palm, and he bore a child, Amenohohi no Mikoto. This is the far ancestor of the Izumo no Omi (出雲臣), the Musashi no Kuni no Miyatsuko (武藏國造), and the Hashi no Muraji (土師連). Next was Amatsuhikone no Mikoto. This is the far ancestor of the Ubaraki no Kuni no Miyatsuko (茨城國造) and the Nukatabe no Muraji (額田部連). Next was Ikumetsuhikone no Mikoto, next Hinohayahi no Mikoto, next Kumano no Osumi no Mikoto (熊野大隅命). These are six boys in all.

Then Susanoo no Mikoto said to the sun goddess, "The reason I came up again is this. The gods have set me in Nenokuni and I must go there now, and if I could not see my sister I could never bear the parting. So I have come up again in a truly clear heart. Now that I have seen you, I will follow the will of the gods and go back forever to Nenokuni. I pray my sister will shine upon the land of heaven and be at peace. And the children I have borne in a clear heart I offer to my sister as well."

Then he went down again.

廢渠槽 is read hihagatsu. 捶籤 is read kushizashi. 興台產靈 is read Kogotomusubi. 太諄辭 is read futonorito. 轠轤然 is read omokururuni. 瑲瑲乎 is read onunatomomoyurani.

At this time Susanoo no Mikoto came down from heaven and reached the upper waters of the river Hi (簸之川) in the land of Izumo (出雲國). Then he heard the sound of weeping upstream. So he followed the sound and went, and there were an old man and an old woman with a young girl between them, stroking her and weeping.

Susanoo no Mikoto asked, "Who are you? Why do you weep like this?"

They answered, "I am a god of the land, named Ashinazuchi (脚摩乳), and my wife is named Tenazuchi (手摩乳). This girl is my child, named Kushiinadahime (奇稻田姬). We weep because in past days I had eight young daughters, and every year they were swallowed by Yamata no Orochi (八岐大蛇). Now this young one too is about to be swallowed, and there is no way to escape. That is why we grieve."

Susanoo no Mikoto commanded, "If it is so, will you give me your daughter?"

They answered, "I will give her as you command."

So Susanoo no Mikoto at once changed Kushiinadahime into a many-toothed comb and thrust it into his own topknot. Then he made Ashinazuchi and Tenazuchi brew sake strained eight times over, and build eight shelves, and set one tub on each, and fill them with sake and wait.

When the time came, the great serpent did indeed come. Its head and its tail were each in eight forks, its eyes were like red winter cherries, and pines and cypresses grew on its back, and it stretched over eight hills and eight valleys. When it found the sake it drank, one tub for each head, and it grew drunk and slept.

Then Susanoo no Mikoto drew the ten-span sword he wore and cut the serpent piece by piece. When he came to the tail the blade of the sword was a little notched. So he split the tail open and looked, and within it was a sword.

This is what is called the Kusanagi sword (草薙劒). Susanoo no Mikoto said, "This is a divine sword. How should I dare to keep it for myself?" And he sent it up and offered it to the gods of heaven.

After that he went about seeking a place to be wed, and at last he came to Suga (清地) in Izumo. Then he said, "My heart is clear and clean." And he built a palace in that place. There they came together and bore a child, Onamuchi no Kami (大己貴神).

Then he commanded, "The keepers of my child's palace shall be Ashinazuchi and Tenazuchi." So he gave the two gods a name and called them Inadanomiyanushi no Kami (稻田宮主神). Then at last Susanoo no Mikoto went to Nenokuni.

Another account says: Susanoo no Mikoto came down from heaven and reached the upper waters of the river Hi in Izumo. There he saw the daughter of Inadanomiyanushi Susanoyatsumimi (稻田宮主簀狹之八箇耳), named Inadahime (稻田媛).

Then at Kushimito (奇御戶) he raised her up and bore a child, named Suganoyuyamanushi Minasaruhiko Yashimashino (清之湯山主三名狹漏彥八島篠). One account has Suganotsukina Sakakaruhiko Yashimade no Mikoto (清之繋名坂輕彥八島手命), and another Suganoyuyamanushi Minasaruhiko Yashimano (清之湯山主三名狹漏彥八島野). The fifth-generation descendant of this god is Okuninushi no Kami (大國主神). 篠 means small bamboo, and it is read shino.

Another account says: at this time Susanoo no Mikoto came down to the upper waters of the river E (可愛之川) in the land of Aki (安藝國). There was a god in that place named Ashinazu Tenazu (脚摩手摩), and his wife was named Inadanomiyanushi Susanoyatsumimi. This god's wife was then with child, and the husband and wife grieved together.

Then they told Susanoo no Mikoto, "Many as the children we have borne are, every time we bear one Yamata no Orochi comes and swallows it, and not one has lived. Now we are to bear another, and we fear that it too will be swallowed. That is why we grieve."

Then Susanoo no Mikoto taught them, "Brew eight jars of sake with all kinds of fruit. I will kill the serpent for you."

The two gods made ready the sake as he taught. When the time of birth came, the great serpent did indeed come to the door and was about to swallow the child. Susanoo no Mikoto commanded the serpent, "You are a god to be feared. How should I not give you a feast?" Then he poured the eight jars of sake into each of its mouths. The serpent drank the sake and slept.

Susanoo no Mikoto drew his sword and cut it. When he came to cutting the tail the blade of the sword was a little notched. He split it open and looked, and a sword was in the middle of the tail. This is called the Kusanagi sword. It is now at the village of Ayuchi in the land of Owari (尾張國), and it is the god in the charge of the hafuribe (祝部) of Atsuta (熱田). The sword with which he cut the serpent is called Orochi no Aramasa (蛇之麁正), and it is now at Isonokami (石上).

After this, Makamifurukushiinadahime (眞髮觸奇稻田媛), the child borne by Inadanomiyanushi Susanoyatsumimi, was moved to the upper waters of the river Hi in the land of Izumo and reared there. After that Susanoo no Mikoto took her as his consort. The sixth-generation descendant of the child she bore is Onamuchi no Mikoto. 大己貴 is read Ohoanamuchi.

Another account says: Susanoo no Mikoto wished to take Kushiinadahime and asked for her. Ashinazuchi and Tenazuchi answered, "We pray you kill that serpent first, and take her after that. That great serpent has club moss (石松) upon each of its heads and mountains on its two sides, and it is greatly to be feared. With what will you kill it?"

Then Susanoo no Mikoto planned to brew strong sake and give it to the serpent to drink. The serpent grew drunk and slept. Then Susanoo no Mikoto cut off its heads and cut open its belly with the Orochi no Karasahi sword (蛇韓鋤之劒). When he cut the tail the blade of the sword was a little notched. So he split the tail and looked, and there was another sword within, named the Kusanagi sword.

This sword was of old with Susanoo no Mikoto, and it is now in the land of Owari. The sword with which Susanoo no Mikoto cut the serpent is now with the kanbe (神部) of Kibi (吉備). The mountain at the upper waters of the river Hi in Izumo is this place.

Another account says: what Susanoo no Mikoto did was beyond all bearing. So the gods set upon him the fine of a thousand tables and at last drove him out.

At this time Susanoo no Mikoto led his son Isotakeru no Kami (五十猛神) and came down to the land of Silla (新羅國), and he dwelt in a place called Soshimori (曾尸茂梨). Then he said, "I do not wish to dwell in this land."

At last he made a boat of clay and rode it and crossed eastward, and he came to the peak of Torikami (鳥上) at the upper waters of the river Hi in the land of Izumo. At that time there was a great serpent in that place that swallowed people. Then Susanoo no Mikoto cut that great serpent with the Amenohabakiri sword (天蝿斫之劒). When he cut the tail of the serpent the blade was notched. He split it open and looked, and there was a divine sword in the middle of the tail.

Susanoo no Mikoto said, "This I cannot use for myself." So he sent his fifth-generation descendant Amenofukine no Kami (天之葺根神) to offer it up to heaven. This is what is now called the Kusanagi sword.

At the first, when Isotakeru no Kami came down from heaven, he brought many tree seeds down with him. But he did not plant them in the land of Han (韓), and he carried them all back. At last, beginning from Tsukushi, there was no place within the Land of the Eight Great Islands where he did not sow and plant them, and they became green mountains. For this Isotakeru no Mikoto is called a god of merit. He is the great god who is in the land of Kii.

Another account says: Susanoo no Mikoto said, "In the islands of Karakuni (韓郷) there is gold and silver. It would not be well if the land my child rules had no floating treasure."

Then he pulled out his beard and scattered it, and it became the cedar. He pulled out the hair of his breast and scattered it, and it became the hinoki cypress. The hair of his buttocks became the maki, and the hair of his eyebrows became the camphor tree.

Then he settled their proper use and said, "The cedar and the camphor, these two trees, may be made floating treasure. The hinoki may be made timber for fair palaces. The hinoki may be made the coffin in which the people that are seen shall lie when they die." And all the eighty kinds of tree seed that may be eaten he sowed and made to grow.

At that time the child of Susanoo no Mikoto was called Isotakeru no Mikoto, and his sisters were Oyatsuhime no Mikoto (大屋津姬命) and Tsumatsuhime no Mikoto (採津姬命). These three gods also spread the tree seeds abroad, and they carried them over to the land of Kii.

After that Susanoo no Mikoto dwelt on the peak of Kumanari (熊成峯), and at last he went into Nenokuni. 棄戶 is read sutahe. 柀 is read maki.

Another account says: Okuninushi no Kami is also called Omononushi no Kami (大物主神), and Kunitsukuri Onamuchi no Mikoto (國作大己貴命), and Ashihara no Shikoo (葦原醜男), and Yachihoko no Kami (八千戈神), and Okunitama no Kami (大國玉神), and Utsushikunitama no Kami (顯國玉神). His children are a hundred and eighty-one gods in all.

Now Onamuchi no Mikoto and Sukunahikona no Mikoto (少彥名命) joined their strength with one heart and ordered all under heaven. For the sake of the people that are seen, and of the beasts as well, they fixed the ways of healing sickness. To drive off the harm of birds and beasts and creeping things, they fixed the ways of charms and warding. Because of this the people to this day have all had their favor.

Once Onamuchi no Mikoto said to Sukunahikona no Mikoto, "Can it be said that the land we have made is well made?"

Sukunahikona no Mikoto answered, "In some parts it is made, and in some parts it is not."

In these words there is surely a deep and hidden meaning.

After that Sukunahikona no Mikoto went to the cape of Misaki (御碕) in Kumano, and at last he went away to Tokoyo no Kuni (常世郷). It is also said that he came to Awa Island and climbed a millet stalk, and was flung across and came to Tokoyo no Kuni.

After that, Onamuchi no Kami went about alone and made all that was not yet made in the land. At last he came to the land of Izumo and said, "Ashihara no Nakatsukuni was wild and waste at the first, and even the rocks and the grasses and the trees were all fierce and strong. But I have broken them and made them bow, and there is nothing that is not gentle and obedient."

Then he said further, "Now there is only myself alone to rule this land. Is there one who might rule all under heaven together with me?"

At that time a divine light shone upon the sea, and all at once there was one who came floating and said, "If I had not been here, how could you have subdued this land?

Because I was here, you have been able to raise up the work of your great making."

Then Onamuchi no Kami asked, "If it is so, who are you?"

He answered, "I am your happy spirit (幸魂) and your wondrous spirit (奇魂)."

Onamuchi no Kami said, "It is so. Now I know that you are my happy spirit and my wondrous spirit. Where do you wish to dwell now?"

He answered, "I wish to dwell on Mount Mimoro (三諸山) in the land of Yamato (日本國)."

So a palace was built for him in that place, and he went there and dwelt. This is the god of Omiwa (大三輪). The children of this god are the Kamo no Kimi (甘茂君) and the Omiwa no Kimi (大三輪君), and also Himetataraisuzuhime no Mikoto (姬蹈鞴五十鈴姬命).

It is also said that Kotoshironushi no Kami (事代主神) changed into a shark of eight fathoms and came to Mishima no Mizokuihime (三嶋溝樴姬), who is also called Tamakushihime (玉櫛姬), and begot a child, Himetataraisuzuhime no Mikoto. She became the empress of the emperor Kan'yamato Iwarebiko Hohodemi (神日本磐余彥火火出見天皇).

At the first, when Onamuchi no Kami was subduing the land, he came to the little shore of Isasa (五十狹狹) in the land of Izumo, and he was about to eat and drink. At that time there was suddenly the voice of a man upon the sea. He started and sought for it, but there was nothing at all to be seen.

Then there was a little man who had made a boat of the bark of the white vine (白蘞) and clothes of the feathers of a wren, and he came floating on the tide. Onamuchi no Kami took him and set him in the palm of his hand and played with him, and the little man leapt up and bit his cheek. So he wondered at his form and sent a messenger to tell the gods of heaven.

Then Takamimusubi no Mikoto heard it and said, "The children I have borne are fifteen hundred in all. Among them one child was the worst, and would not be taught or reared, and slipped through my fingers and fell. This must be he. Love him and rear him." This is Sukunahikona no Mikoto.

顯 is read utsushi. 蹈鞴 is read tatara. 幸魂 is read sakimitama. 奇魂 is read kushimitama. 鷦鷯 is read sasaki.