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
