Activities: Plays: Amatarasu, Japanese Shinto Sun Goddess

Amatarasu: Japanese Shinto Sun Goddess

Group Size: 12-20

Ages: 4-12

When or where to use activity: Winter Holiday.
Materials needed:

None Required

Description:

Amaterasu: Sun Goddess

Narrator I

The Japanese Shinto story of the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu, takes place on the islands we know as Japan. The Shinto god, Izanagi, and his wife, the goddess, Izanami, created these beautiful islands to live on.

Narrator II

Their first child was a very beautiful daughter whose face shone with a glorious brightness, so they named her, Amaterasu, which meant Heavenly Light.

Narrator I

"She is too beautiful to stay down here," her parents agreed. "Her light should be where she can shine on all the children who may be born upon these islands."

Narrator II

So, they sent Amaterasu up the ladder that reached into the sky, and placed her high above the earth, where, as the Sun Goddess, her light shined on everyone.

Narrator I

Their second child was a son, whom they named Sonano-wo. This new child grew to be a very stormy god, who liked to make people upset and angry. His was dark and gloomy.

His parents were afraid that Sosano-wo might hurt the beautiful islands they had made, so they commanded him to stay on the ocean.

Narrator II

When Sosano-wo was angry he would blow his hot breath on the land and blow great storms over the ocean.

Narrator I

One day, Sosano-wo secretly climbed up the ladder to the sky to play a trick on his sister.

Sosano-wo climbed up on the clouds and threw a big lump of mud down at Amaterasu's feet.

Narrator II

This was not the first time Sosano-wo had caused problems for Amaterasu.

But, this time she was so angry that she decided to hide from her mean brother.

Narrator I

Gathering up her shining robes, she crept down the ladder of heaven to the earth and entered a cave. She rolled a boulder to block the entrance to the cave and hid herself from all the other gods and goddesses.

Narrator II

Suddenly, the earth and sky became dark and all the gods and goddesses were very troubled.

Soon, they learned what had caused Amaterasu to hide her bright light.

Narrator I

Everyone agreed that they couldn't go on without the light of the Sun Goddess.

They came up with a plan to lure her to out of the cave.

Narrator II

All the gods and goddesses on the earth and in the sky, gathered at the entrance of the cave.

They waved lovely scarves.

Narrator I

Some danced a merry dance while others played drums.

The music and dancing was so merry they all began laughing, skipping and shaking.

Narrator II

The made so much joyful noise, Amaterasu became curious.

She went to the cave entrance and pulled back the boulder and peeked out.

Narrator I

One of the gods held out his hand and drew Amaterasu into the dancing and merriment. Her light shone all around.

They hugged and danced and Amaterasu realized how lonely she had been in the cave.

Narrator II

It wasn't long before Amaterasu once again climbed the ladder into the sky and shone her radiant light on all the earth.

(Sunday, February 02, 2003 at 02:32:27 (EST))

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