Week 9 Story: Silence Becomes
Author's Note: I really enjoy creation stories and the somber tale of Izanagi and Izanami's love lost is a neat way to establish the beginnings of the Japanese mythos. I rewrote their story with them dying together in a less sad way.
Source: Romance of Old Japan, Part I: Mythology and Legend by E.W. and F. Champney.
Izanagi and Izanami. Picture source.
Silence Becomes
Before the beginning, there hid in the darkest gaps of nothingness a spatial eminence gurgling with activity. Over time, its energy became thunderous and as it shook, the gallant Sun and its companion, the Moon, emerged. As the chaotic blur of the void was illuminated, another powerful pair came to be. Izanagi and Izanami stood an arm's length apart from one another. Basking in the presence of the Moon, the ultramarine lace adorning Izanami's garb gleamed hypnotically. The mighty Sun paled in comparison to the fire that arose in Izanagi's heart at the sight of her. Her passion burned just as brightly. Together they watched with hands intertwined the becoming of the world. The roar of magnificent seas nipped at their ears as their lips robbed one another of the ability to speak. They sat in silence on the isle of Onogoro as island after island rose from the waters to be admired. The couple gave the marvels names: Yamato, Tsukushi, Iyo, Tsushima, Ahaji, Shikoku, Oki, and Lado. After countless nights spent enraptured with the natural beauty of their world, Izanagi and Izanami brought about a daughter and a son, the heavenly Amaterasu-omikami and the salt water prince Susano-no-wo-no-mikoto. When Amaterasu ascended to the heavens to rule and Susa-no-wo travelled to the Moon to do the same, Izanami and Izanagi retired from child rearing and began again to focus their mutual gaze on the wealth of their surroundings. Seasons passed, but their love never faded. After many seasons, they the contents of each of the islands and grew tired of their native isle. Their flowing hair shifted color from jet black to that of the sea-foam at the edge of the waves that played beneath their feet as they danced upon the beach sand. Finally there came a stormy night that chilled Izanagi and Izanami's bones. As they huddled together, they smiled at each other peacefully. Izanagi placed a kiss upon Izanami's forehead. The next morning, where they had lain two sacred lotuses bloomed in a dewy field of lavender and irises.
Source: Romance of Old Japan, Part I: Mythology and Legend by E.W. and F. Champney.
Izanagi and Izanami. Picture source.
Silence Becomes
Before the beginning, there hid in the darkest gaps of nothingness a spatial eminence gurgling with activity. Over time, its energy became thunderous and as it shook, the gallant Sun and its companion, the Moon, emerged. As the chaotic blur of the void was illuminated, another powerful pair came to be. Izanagi and Izanami stood an arm's length apart from one another. Basking in the presence of the Moon, the ultramarine lace adorning Izanami's garb gleamed hypnotically. The mighty Sun paled in comparison to the fire that arose in Izanagi's heart at the sight of her. Her passion burned just as brightly. Together they watched with hands intertwined the becoming of the world. The roar of magnificent seas nipped at their ears as their lips robbed one another of the ability to speak. They sat in silence on the isle of Onogoro as island after island rose from the waters to be admired. The couple gave the marvels names: Yamato, Tsukushi, Iyo, Tsushima, Ahaji, Shikoku, Oki, and Lado. After countless nights spent enraptured with the natural beauty of their world, Izanagi and Izanami brought about a daughter and a son, the heavenly Amaterasu-omikami and the salt water prince Susano-no-wo-no-mikoto. When Amaterasu ascended to the heavens to rule and Susa-no-wo travelled to the Moon to do the same, Izanami and Izanagi retired from child rearing and began again to focus their mutual gaze on the wealth of their surroundings. Seasons passed, but their love never faded. After many seasons, they the contents of each of the islands and grew tired of their native isle. Their flowing hair shifted color from jet black to that of the sea-foam at the edge of the waves that played beneath their feet as they danced upon the beach sand. Finally there came a stormy night that chilled Izanagi and Izanami's bones. As they huddled together, they smiled at each other peacefully. Izanagi placed a kiss upon Izanami's forehead. The next morning, where they had lain two sacred lotuses bloomed in a dewy field of lavender and irises.
Hello Daegan! I loved the title of your story and I thought it was unique to have your author's note first! It gives a little sneak peek of what you are about to dive into. You are really talented at making your writing so easy to visualize! I enjoyed your story and hardly had to use my own imagination for details. Great job!
ReplyDeleteHi Daegan!
ReplyDeleteI also read this story this week and thought this was a really cool take on this story. I loved the description of the flowers sprouting. It made me think of the quote I heard somewhere, maybe American Horror Story, but with death brings new life. I think it is really beautiful.
I think this is a really nice story - I can't wait to read more.
Hey Daegan, I also really like creation stories. I think I like them so much because they appeal to one of life’s greatest mysteries. Once again your writing is incredible and the intermingling of descriptive imagery of the creation of the world with their love story makes for a really nice piece. This retelling just has a completeness in its feeling and I think the ending suits it nicely. Great story!
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