Contents

PAGE
THE BIRTH-TIME OF THE GODS[1]
THE SUN-GODDESS[15]
THE HEAVENLY MESSENGERS[25]
PRINCE RUDDY-PLENTY[35]
THE PALACE OF THE OCEAN-BED[45]
AUTUMN AND SPRING[57]
THE STAR-LOVERS[67]
THE ISLAND OF ETERNAL YOUTH[77]
RAI-TARO, THE SON OF THE THUNDER-GOD[87]
THE SOULS OF THE CHILDREN[97]
THE MOON-MAIDEN[103]
THE GREAT FIR TREE OF TAKASAGO[113]
THE WILLOW OF MUKOCHIMA[121]
THE CHILD OF THE FOREST[129]
THE VISION OF TSUNU[141]
PRINCESS FIRE-FLY[151]
THE SPARROW’S WEDDING[161]
THE LOVE OF THE SNOW-WHITE FOX[171]
NEDZUMI[181]
KOMA AND GON[189]

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List of Illustrations

PAGE
Heading to “The Birth-Time of the Gods”[3]
When he had so said, he plunged his jewelled spear into the seething mass below[5]
Heading to “The Sun-Goddess”[17]
Ama-terasu gazed into the mirror, and wondered greatly when she saw therein a goddess of exceeding beauty[21]
Heading to “The Heavenly Messengers”[27]
As the Young Prince alighted on the sea-shore, a beautiful earth-spirit, Princess Under-Shining, stood before him[29]
Heading to “Prince Ruddy-Plenty”[37]
But the fair Uzume went fearlessly up to the giant, and said: “Who is it that thus impedes our descent from heaven?”[39]
Heading to “The Palace of the Ocean-Bed”[47]
Suddenly she saw the reflection of Prince Fire-Fade in the water[51]
Heading to “Autumn and Spring”[59]
One after the other returned sorrowfully home, for none found favour in her eyes[63]
Heading to “The Star Lovers”[69]
The lovers were wont, standing on the banks of the celestial stream, to waft across it sweet and tender messages[71]
Heading to “The Island of Eternal Youth”[79]
Soon he came to its shores, and landed as one in a dream[83]
Heading to “Rai-Taro, the Son of the Thunder-God”[89]
The birth of Rai-taro[93]
Heading to “The Souls of the Children”[99]
Heading to “The Moon-Maiden”[105]
At one moment she skimmed the surface of the sea, the next her tiny feet touched the topmost branches of the tall pine trees[109]
Heading to “The Great Fir Tree of Takasago”[115]
Heading to “The Willow of Mukochima”[123]
Heading to “The Child of the Forest”[131]
Kintaro reigned as prince of the forest, beloved of every living creature[135]
Heading to “The Vision of Tsunu”[143]
On a plot of mossy grass beyond the thicket, sat two maidens of surpassing beauty[147]
Heading to “Princess Fire-Fly”[153]
But the Princess whispered to herself, “Only he who loves me more than life shall call me bride”[155]
Heading to “The Sparrow’s Wedding”[163]
Heading to “The Love of the Snow-White Fox”[173]
With two mighty strokes, he felled his adversaries to the ground[177]
Heading to “Nedzumi”[183]
Heading to “Koma and Gon”[191]

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The Birth-Time of the Gods

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