Awaji

淡路 Awaji Island

1 Source and/or Related Material

The Chronicles of Japan

2 Author

Unknown, kuse by Kannami

3 Repertoire

Kanze, Komparu, Kongō

4 Synopsis

Some courtiers (waki and wakitsure) visit the island of Awaji in the Inland Sea between Honshū and Kyūshū. They see an old man (maeshite) and a young man (tsure) who are preparing a rice paddy for planting using a kind of hoe- or rake-like tool called an eburi. They dedicate the fields to the gods by putting up sacred paper strips. The old man explains that the rice fields belong to a shrine in which the Gods Izanami and Izanagi are worshipped. Having told the travellers the story how the two Gods gave birth to the land of Japan, he disappears. Thereupon a local (ai) relates the origin of the shrine in plain language. That night the God Izanagi (nochishite) appears and explains that Awaji is an island created by dew dropping from his spear, and that this island lies under the floating bridge between heaven and earth. He blesses the emperor’s reign and dances a lively and majestic dance.