Ancient Japan did not have its own written language until the Kanji was introduced by the Chinese as I pointed out in a previous post. Since the Japanese originally took their language from the Chinese their first works of literature had alot of the Chinese writing style once they started writing about Japan.
The Kojiki is the oldest chronical in Japan. It is a collection of myths about the origins of the four main Japanese islands. The Kojiki is divided into three parts the Kamitsumaki, Nakatsumaki and the Shimotsumaki.
The interesting thing about these three different parts is that the focus of the three different parts of the book focus on different things. The Kamitsumaki is focused on the deities of creation and the births of various different deities. (here is a link to what looks like an awesome blog about the Kamitsumaki, to bad I don't speak Indonesian)
The next book is called the Nakatsumaki and begins with Emperor Jimmu's conquest of Japan. The Nakatsumaki ends with the fifteenth Emperor, Ojin. It has many stories that are mythological and as well lots of historical information. The historical information that is accurate though is spread through out the account. Here is a part of Emperor Jimmu's story.
Emperor Jimmu's brothers were born in Takachiho, which is in the southern part of Kyushu. Jimmu and his brothers found were they lived to not be a place that would allow them to be able to rule all of the country. Because of this they decided to move eastward and they battled a people who had a cheiften who was know as the long-legged man. Jimmu's brother was leading the move and when they battled the long-legged man was killed. Emperor Jimmu realized that the reason they had lost the battle was because they were fighting eastward against the sun. Because of this realization they decided to land on the east side of the Kii Peninsula and battle westward being lead by the guidance of a three legged bird. When they again met the long-legged man this time they defeated him. At this time Jimmu met Nigihayahi, who claimed to be a decendant of the Takamagahara gods , and Nigihayahi accepted Jimmu's legitimacy and Jimmu at that time officially took the thrown as Emperor.
The final portion of the book was called the Shimotsumaki. This portion of the book contains much more of the history of the people rather than talking about the interaction the the people had with deity.
It is interesting that people have always had different takes on history but no matter what type of story they are telling they always include some actual facts into their mythology. I wonder what are some of the mythical animals that lead people in other societies?
Hmm, I never realized that there are mythologies outside of the Greek. Well, I knew but I didn't really...know.
ReplyDeleteBut is definitely interesting to see a three legged bird guide. Reminds me of Zazu from Lion King but of course with an extra leg and not a toucan.
An animal that today is still sacred is the cow in India. That's the reason why most do not eat meat, or at least beef, because of the cows' sanctity.
And there is actually a temple in India that worships the rat. They have rats that roam free in the temple and there is 1 special rat that is pure white that is holiest of all. And if you are lucky enough to even see it, you are blessed. If you are able to catch it, pet it, and pray to it you might as well just be transfigured.
I know in Egyptian mythology, which I've been looking into a lot more recently, all of their deities are based on an animal or have multiple animal forms. Frog heads were characteristic of certain male Gods, snake heads of some females, and there was even a baboon thrown into the mix.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! At first I was mad at you for providing a link to a page written completely in Indonesian (what good was that going to do?) but then I noticed that Google Chrome offered me a way out. In big letters at the top of the page Chrome announced that it was willing to translate the page for me at the click of a button. How could I resist? :D
ReplyDeleteLong story short, the translation wasn't all that great, but I still could pick up on some key concepts and ideas. I learned about common topics of these poems and how they are written, even though it was written in Indonesian! How cool is that?
LOL Shuan. We should definitely go hunt down some rats in India and see if they grant wishes. :P
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