I introduced you, a little ago, a game taken from my collection being named Okami. However, to clarify matters, it is essential that I speak to you about one aspect of Japanese culture that inspired the creators of this game which is ultimately a transposition of a mythology specific to their history.
Amaterasu is, for some Japanese, the mother goddess of their lands. Shining the solar star over the plains of japan, it brought abundance and fertility to the country. One day, in ancient times, Amaterasu quarreled with his own brother Susanoo, kami (god) of the winds and the sea. A violent struggle ensued and as a result of it the Goddess of remorse and anger Hid himself in a cave, thus depriving his people of the warm and gentle rays of the sun. To persuade Amaterasu to leave this cave, the gods organized a banquet in which Uzume, the goddess of the Aube, began a dance.
"Curious to hear so much cries and gaiety, Amaterasu glanced out of the cave. An octagonal mirror ("Yata no Okagami") forged by Ishikori Dome with a single eye was attached to a neighboring tree. Uzume, who was still dancing, shouted at the cantonade: "May this day be praised, we have at last found a goddess as brilliant as the illustrious Amaterasu, to replace her! "
More and more curious, Amaterasu came out a little more to see what this new goddess could look like to replace it.
Indeed a radiant and luminous goddess stood among the gods and goddesses but she realized a little too late that it was only the reflection of her own image in the mirror. Then Tajikarawo, a god known for his strength, prevented him from returning to the cave and the others begged her not to hide again ... "
What is the meaning of all this? Amaterasu is the incarnation of the country, the Kami are the people and the elements that make up their lands, following the struggle against his brother who ravaged a good part of the territory and lest it happens again, the divinity had no other Choice than to lock itself up, so as not to have to reproduce a catastrophe. However, the sun is essential for every being and is symbolic of a resplendent nation facing the adversity and the fatality of a tragic event. This is how they will bring Amaterasu out of his prison forever to warm their hearts and revive their courage ...
