Amaterasu: The Japanese Sun Goddess
Amaterasu, the sun goddess, and Susanowo, the storm god, were a sister and brother divided Susanowo, who was in charge of ruling the sea, was an arrogant and proud god, intent on stirring up as much trouble as possible. He would often go beyond his authority and cause chaos in Amaterasu's domain, the land, much to her annoyance. Amaterasu, known for her kindness and intelligence, begged her brother to put a stop to his indiscretions, but her pleas went unheeded.
He destroyed the fields of rice and groves of trees she had lovingly nurtured. He tore down the buildings Amaterasu often visited and harassed her beloved attendants. His wickedness was unending. The most precious things Amaterasu had once delighted in were beyond repair. In distress and past consoling, she finally sought refuge in an isolated cave after realizing that her brother would not stop continuing his hurtful transgressions. She barricaded herself in the hidden shelter with boulders, making any possible exit or entrance impassable, and took her sunlight with her.
Darkness descended on the world. Restless spirits ran wild and panic spread. The crops began to die. The other gods, who had remained cautious observers during the siblings' escalating feuds, were forced to convene and take action. They gathered by a peaceful river in heaven and discussed the importance of beckoning Amaterasu's return, not just for their sake, but for the sake of all of humanity. Without her sun, the world as they knew it would wither and fade, and a darkened, sinister world would take over. Together, they hatched a plan.
First; they gathered gifts for the sun goddess outside the cave: a magnificent sword, clothes, and a mirror.
They then found a gigantic tree and covered it with jewels, which was placed outside the cave as well.
Bonfires were lit. The gods also enlisted the help of Uzume, the goddess of merriment whose name means "twirling." She was chosen to lead joyful dances while loud and upbeat music played, in the hopes of getting Amaterasu's attention. Eight hundred gods and goddesses came, and the air was filled with their laughter and noise. The more Uzume danced, the louder the crowd became.
Initially, Amaterasu, still filled with grief, was determined to remain inside her cave. But the merriment continued to get louder and louder, until lonely Amaterasu could not help but become curious as to why the ever-increasing sounds were coming from beyond the walls of her cave. She slightly moved aside the boulder in front of one opening and asked those at the festivities outside, "How is there so much joy when destruction and disorder rule the world?”
Uzume cheerfully replied, We are happy to celebrate that another noble and righteous sun goddess has come to save us from the darkness.* While Uzume spoke, two other gods that were present carried the mirror up to the crack in the opening that Amaterasu had made. Amaterasu, intrigued by the thought that she could be so easily replaced, moved the boulder farther. To her surprise, she was delighted to see her own reflection staring back at her and not another sun goddess in her place. A moment later, another god strongly swept all the boulders aside, took Amaterasu's hand, and drew her from the cave. She then looked at all the revelry around her, and happiness reentered her sad heart. The gods begged Amaterasu 10 live among them once again. Amaterasu agreed to always appear during the day and was given allowance to do as she wished at night. The world was once again bathed in her bright sunlight. As punishment for his wrongdoings, Susanowo had all his possessions taken from him by the council of gods and was banished from heaven. Peace spread through the lands, and all of the evil forces retreated. Uzume cheerfully replied, We are happy to celebrate that another noble and righteous sun goddess has come to save us from the darkness.* While Uzume spoke, two other gods that were present carried the mirror up to the crack in the opening that Amaterasu had made. Amaterasu, intrigued by the thought that she could be so easily replaced, moved the boulder farther. To her surprise, she was delighted to see her own reflection staring back at her and not another sun goddess in her place. A moment later, another god strongly swept all the boulders aside, took Amaterasu's hand, and drew her from the cave. She then looked at all the revelry around her, and happiness reentered her sad heart. The gods begged Amaterasu 10 live among them once again. Amaterasu agreed to always appear during the day and was given allowance to do as she wished at night. The world was once again bathed in her bright sunlight. As punishment for his wrongdoings, Susanowo had all his possessions taken from him by the council of gods and was banished from heaven. Peace spread through the lands, and all of the evil forces retreated.
Which sentence best summarizes the central conflict in Amateratsu?
* Amaterasu, the sun goddess, had a brother, Susanowo, the storm god, who fought with her.
* Uzume, Amaterasu, Susanowo, and the other gods all had great influence over what happened on earth.
* Susanowo caused so much trouble that Amaterasu retreated from the world, taking the sun with her.
* The gods intervened so that Amaterasu brought back the sun, and Susanowo was punished.
7 answers
Upon returning to Athens after defeating the Minotaur in Crete, Theseus replaced King Aegeus, leading Athens into a new era of success.
Which part of Theseus does the sentence best summarize?
• the main resolution
• the main setting
• the main conflict
• the main character
• Amaterasu, the sun goddess, had a brother, Susanowo, the storm god, who fought with her.
• Uzume, Amaterasu, Susanowo, and the other gods all had great influence over what happened on earth.
• Susanowo caused so much trouble that Amaterasu retreated from the world, taking the sun with her.
• The gods intervened so that Amaterasu brought back the sun, and Susanowo was punished.
1 answer