The heart of Kojiki (6) 2017/05/28

Among many mythologies in Kojiki, “Kuniyuduri” is the most popular one.

“Kuniyuduri” means to hand over the control of the land of rice fields from Okuninushino-mikoto, god of the people’s land to Amaterasu-omikami, god staying in the world of gods.

Although Amaterasu-omikami, by sending a convoy, forced Okuninushino-mikoto to accept handing over the power, the attempts were refused twice. Then, Amaterasuomikami consulted with other gods and decided to dispatch Takemikaduchino-kami who negotiated hard with Okuninushino-mikoto, on the beach of Inasanohama, to hand over the control of the land. Okuninushino-mikoto heard his sons opinions and finally agreed to hand over with the condition that Takemikaduchino-kami would build the tall shrine for Okuninushino-mikoto.

Both agreed and kept words.

There were no severe battles between two parties.

Therefore Okuninushino-mikoto still lives in the Izumo Shrine which is the tallest shrine in Japan.

 

This story tells us followings.

Firstly, the hand- over of the power was done through negotiation peacefully and it was not done by a fierce battle.

 

Secondly, important decisions were made through democratic discussions at both ends and not done by a dictatorship.

 

Thirdly, the winner always respects the loser and do his best to the loser.

 Izumo tallest shrine