THE FIRST GODS : In the beginning, the LIGHTER PARTS OF the swirling CHAOS FLOATED
UPWARD and FORMED the HIGH PLAIN OF HEAVEN (Takama-gavara).
The FIRST FORCES were CREATED in the form of THREE INVISIBLE
GODS who dwelled in the heaven.
A REED GREW upward THROUGH the CHAOS and FROM ITS TOP
TWO MORE GODS appeared.
Then OTHER GENERATIONS followed. IZANAGI and IZANAMI were
the LAST OF THESE HEAVENLY GODS.
THE FEUD : Their ELDEST DAUGHTER, AMATERASU, was BORN so BRIGHT that she was
SENT TO THE HEAVENS to SHINE LIGHT ON THE EARTH. She SHOWED
the PEOPLE OF JAPAN how to grow RICE and WHEAT and use SILK WORMS
to make CLOTH. But, HER BROTHER SUSANO-O ANNOYED HER WHEN HE
DESTROYED her HOME and CROPS so SHE SHUT HERSELF IN A CAVE.
THE RISING SUN : The WORLD WAS IN DARKNESS, UNTIL THE OTHER GODS, in
desperation, TRICKED HER TO COME OUT. Some say THEY SHOWED
her A MIRROR and THINKING IT WAS A NEW GODDESS, and not her
reflection, SHE CAME OUT. Others say the gods made lots of noise as if they
were having a party and, being curious to find out what was going on, she came
out. When SHE APPEARED, LIGHT WAS BROUGHT BACK INTO THE
WORLD.
For many years, the JAPANESE FLAG SHOWED A RISING SUN,
SYMBOLIZING AMATERASU COMING OUT OF THE CAVE.
THE FIRST EMPEROR : Amaterasu sent HER GRANDSON NINIGI TO RULE over the land
and gave him THREE TREASURES - a jeweled necklace for
KINDNESS, a mirror for PURITY and a sword for COURAGE.
THESE ARE THE THREE SYMBOLS connected to the ROYAL
HOUSEHOLD OF JAPAN. According to legend, his great grandson
JIMMU-TENNO became the FIRST EMPEROR.
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