Myths mentioned in

Japanese Mythology

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Japanese Creation Myth

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The Sun, the Moon,and Wind

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Amaterasu and the Cave

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Hare of Inaba

Japanese Creation Myth

The story begins in a limitless period when the universe was dark and silent. After many eons, particles started moving and created sound. The most lightest particulars started to rise to form heavens and three gods (the Three Creating Deities) appeared. The remaining particles dropped down to form a mass known as ‘Earth’ which was solidified after millions of years. After Earth was formed, two more Deities emerged on Earth. Many more gods followed and two gods, ‘Izanagi and Izanami’ were told to descend to Earth to rule creation which resulted in ‘life’ on earth.

The Sun, the Moon, and the Wind

Shortly after the creation of earth, Izanami died during childbirth. Izanagi who in deep sorrow left Yoni, the land of the dead, to bring Izanami back. But it was too late as Izanami’s body started to rot. Izanagi returned to Earth and purified himself and so he did, three more new deities appeared - Amaterasu (the sun goddess), Tsukuyomi (the moon god) and Susanoo (god of the wind).

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Amaterasu and the Cave

The Rock Cave Myth is one of the most famous of all Japanese myths. This famous tale tells Amaterasu’s rivalry with her brother Susanoo. It depicts how Amaterasu hid inside a cave after a conflict with Susanoo that caused the world to sink into darkness while evil spirits started roaming on Earth. Several attempts by the gods to bring Amaterasu from the cave ended in vain. Finally Ame-No-Uzume, the goddess of merriment, succeeded in her attempt by dressing in flowers and dancing on an upturned tub. As the flowers fell from her body, the assembled gods started laughing that aroused curiosity in Amaterasu who came out of the cave.

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Hare of Inaba

This story tells of a cunning hare who crossed the sea by playing trick, asking the crocodiles to lie in a row so that the hare can cross the sea. After crossing the sea and reaching the island, the hare disclosed how he fooled the crocodiles that made the crocodiles to take revenge by ripping off the hare's fur.

The hare in paid requested help to some men (eighty gods, all brothers) who passed by. They advised the hare to wash in seawater and dry under the sun which left the hare even more uncomfortable and painful. Soon after the hare got proper advice from the eight-first brother, Ōkuninushi and the hare’s fur was restored.

The white hare of Inaba prophesied that Ōkuninushi will marry Princess Yakami of Inaba. The moral of the story is not to deceive others. The only step to heal oneself from the mistakes and wrong doings is to repent of his mistakes. Japanese myths have many such stories with moral lessons.