Japan and the Japanese illustrated . TUB GOU OF LONGEVITY. The era of the celestial gods, beginning with Kouni-toko-tatsi and ending withIzanaghi aud Izanami, comprises an immeasurable duration of millions of years. 1 58 LIFE IN JAPAN. The myth of Izanaghi and Izanami refers to the creation of the habitable earth,beginning with the creation of the Emjjire of Japan. One day, while the god and the goddess were conversing together, leaning uponthe bridge of heaven, they began to speak of the possibility of the existence of alower world. In order to satisfy themselves, Let us try, said Izanaghi to
Japan and the Japanese illustrated . TUB GOU OF LONGEVITY. The era of the celestial gods, beginning with Kouni-toko-tatsi and ending withIzanaghi aud Izanami, comprises an immeasurable duration of millions of years. 1 58 LIFE IN JAPAN. The myth of Izanaghi and Izanami refers to the creation of the habitable earth,beginning with the creation of the Emjjire of Japan. One day, while the god and the goddess were conversing together, leaning uponthe bridge of heaven, they began to speak of the possibility of the existence of alower world. In order to satisfy themselves, Let us try, said Izanaghi to hia companion, whether we may not find some submerged world in the waters which are beneathus: and he plunged into them the diamond point of his celestial javelin, and turned it. KOUNI-TCiKO-TATSI, THE FIIIST OF THE CELESTIAL GODP. about in every direction; several drops of salt water fell from it when he withdrewit, which, becoming condensed as they fell, formed the island called Onokoro-sima. Then the pair came down upon the island, and resolved to niaki it ihe centreof a great archipelago, which they should create by common consent. They proceeded to this first union of their creative power in the following manner. One went to the right, the other to the left; and so they made the circuit ofthe island. When they met, the goddess, transported with joy, exclaimed, Oh, howhappy 1 am to see you, my dear and amiable husband ! But the god, oflended atbeing forestalled, replied: My position as your husband gives me the right to speak JZANAGHI AND IZANAMI. 59 first ; why do you usurp it ? Such precipitation is au ill omen. In order to avertthe evil conscquenfes, we must begin again. On the second occasion the god spoke first, crying out the moment he met thegoddess
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