— 21 —
Mikami, and the assistant priest Ame-no-Koyane-no-Mikoto to recite a liturgy.
Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto (“Uzume” signifies a strong, brave woman, in whose bosom beats the unconquerable heart of a man, and therefore we Japanese still call such a woman “osushi,” which is identical in meaning with “Uzume” and differs only in pronunciation),[errata 1] should then arrange a wreath of spindle-tree leaves and threw a scarf made of club moss around her shoulders, and holding bamboo grass and leaves from the “oke” tree (20) in one hand and a spear adorned with tinkling bells in the other, should skillfully perform in company with the other gods an inspired religious dance, placing a tubbottom[errata 2] upwards (21) (signifying an oath) and kindling sacred bonfires, before the Heavenly Rock-Cave.
Thus doing, as Omoi-Kane-no-Kami had suggested, they, first endeavoured to construct a mirror, as an image of the Sun-Goddess, but as the first mirror made by Ishikori-Tome-no-Kami was slightly defective and therefore unable to use (This mirror is the Deity at Hinokuma in Ki-i Province), but a second was then moulded which was ideally beautiful (This Mirror is the Deity of the Ise Shrine). When all this had been done, Futotama-no-Mikoto prayerfully recited a liturgy full of eulogizing words:—
“The august Mirror in my hand is spotless and indescribably beautiful as though it were thine own august image; pray open the Cave-door and behold it.”
Ame-no-Koyane-no-Mikoto also participated in this function.
Then Amaterasu-O-Mikami be-thought, “How is it that the
