Eric Swiggers

The Legend Of Amaterasu

This composition tells the ancient Japanese legend of Amaterasu, goddess of the Sun. Amaterasu, the sun goddess had a very glamorous and dazzling ppearance. When her brother Susanoo the storm god comes to visit, they fight. In her fury and grief she hides inside a cave, and doesn't come out, effectively hiding the sun for a long period of time, making it dark on Earth. The other gods beg her to come out, and return light to the world, but Amaterasu continues to sulk inside her cave. Eventually the other gods come up with a ruse to lure her out. They place a large mirror at the cave entrance, and Uzume the goddess of pleasure begins to dance. Amaterasu is curious and ventures out. Then she looks in the mirror and sees how beautiful she is, and she becomes happy. Her brother Susanoo is expelled, and the sun can shine every day once more.