Takamagahara
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In Japanese mythology, Takamagahara (
Overview
[edit]In Shinto, ame (heaven) is a lofty, sacred world, the home of the Kotoamatsukami. Some scholars have attempted to explain the myth of descent of the gods from the Takamagahara as an allegory of the migration of peoples. However, it is likely to have referred from the beginning to a higher world in a religious sense. A Shinto myth explains that at the time of creation, light, pure elements branched off to become heaven (ame). Heavy, turbid elements branched off to become earth (tsuchi). Ame became the home of the amatsukami or gods of heaven, while tsuchi became the home of kunitsukami or gods of the land. The amatsukami are said to have descended from heaven to pacify and perfect this world.[1]
According to the Kojiki
[edit]In the beginning of the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters), Takamagahara is mentioned as the birthplace of the gods.[2][3][4][5] It is assumed that Takamagahara existed in clouds above sea because there is a scene in which Kuniumi (
According to the other chronicles
[edit]In the Nihon Shoki (
In contrast, in the Fudoki (
Similarly, in the main text of Kogo Shui (
In modern times, Takamagahara was described as the "supreme celestial sphere" (
Theories about the location
[edit]There have been many theories about the location of Takamagahara. Theories differ greatly depending on how the mythology in the Kojiki is interpreted.
1. Celestial theory
[edit]According to the celestial theory, the gods must be in the heavens or the universe above the heavens since high heavens are the dwelling place of the gods.[2][5] This conceptual view is represented by Norinaga Motoori's theory; he believed it was disrespectful to gods and emperors to consider other theories.[18] This idea was the mainstream view before World War II because of its strong connection with the emperor-centered historiography.[12]
2. Terrestrial theory
[edit]The terrestrial theory suggests that mythology always contains some historical fact, and thus Takamagahara must also reflect what existed. This theory was first represented by Hakuseki Arai, a confucianist during middle of the Edo period. Specifically, he stated that Takamagahara was located in Taga County, Hitachi Province (
3. Kyushu-Yamatai-koku theory
[edit]The Kyushu-Yamatai-koku theory is that any of the candidate sites for the Yamatai-koku such as Yamamoto Country, Mii Country, Yamato Country, and Yasu Country in the Chikugo River basin.[20] Some people specifically believe that Mii Country is the Takamagahara and Nakoku is the Ashihara-no-Nakatsukuni.[21]
4. Artificiality theory
[edit]The artificiality theory proposes that wondering about location of Takamagahara is meaningless since myths are made up. Banto Yamagata, a scholar of Confucianism from the late Edo period, argues that the Jindai period (
In Japan
[edit]Takaharu-cho, Miyazaki Prefecture
[edit]The town of Takaharu, with Takachiho Mountain rising behind it, has long been recognized as the place of Ninigi-no-Mikoto's descent. In the Sangoku Meisho Zue (
As a proof of this record, Amano-Sakahoko (
Takachiho-cho, Miyazaki Prefecture
[edit]The town of Takachiho is located at the Northern part of Miyazaki prefecture. Ama-no-Iwato, Mount Amanokagu, and Shiioji Peaks can be found in this area. Takachiho Shrine is known for its specific type of Shinto ritual ceremonial dance called Yoru-Kagura, which is said to have originated from a dance performed by Ame-no-Uzume.[30][31]
Soyo, Yamato-cho, Kumamoto Prefecture
[edit]Hinomiya-Heitate shrine, which calls itself the birthplace of the Takamagahara mythology, is at Soyo, Kumamoto. Shintai, the sacred body of the kami, is a stone slab carved with two types of Jindai characters, and the characters "Asohi-no-okami (アソヒノオオミカミ)" and "Hifumi (
Takama, Gose-shi, Nara Prefecture
[edit]Takama is located on a plateau at the foot of Mount Kongo in Gose-shi, Nara Prefecture. The region's old name is Katsuragi (
Iruzen, Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture
[edit]Kayabe Shrine, Amano-Iwato, and Amano-Ukihashi are in the area of Hiruzen.[40][41]
Oinuana, Ueno Village, Gunma Prefecture
[edit]The place was traditionally known as a small cave, but it was discovered to be much longer and deeper in 1929. The cave was named after what was believed to be the dwelling place of the Yamainu. Some places inside have been named as Takamagahara and Ama-no-Yasugawara.[42][43]
Taga County, Ibaraki Prefecture
[edit]According to the theory proposed by Hakusei Arai, kanji in ancient times were representing pronunciation of the Japanese language, and the original meaning of the kanji does not match the meaning of the words they are describing. Therefore, the words expressed from them only explained pronunciation not the actual meanings.[44] In Koshitsu (
Iki, Nagasaki
[edit]The names of places such as "Amagahara (
In South Korea
[edit]Goryeong County, North Gyeongsang Province
[edit]The Korean Peninsula theory was sometimes advocated mainly by amateur Korean researchers after World War II. Initially, Chuncheon City at Gangwon-do was considered to be the location of Takamagahara in South Korea because of certain lyrics from Komagaku, a type of traditional Japanese court music.[49][50]
However, in the 1990s, the chancellor of the Kaya University proposed a new theory called Goryeong County theory. He believes that the name of Mount Sori from Takamagahara mythology came from the capital city of South Korea, Seoul, and therefore Goryeong County is its correct location. In 1999, a stone monument of Takamagahara (고천원고지비) was raised in Kaya University.[51]
See also
[edit]References
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