Yengishiki

Essential Quotes

“I declare in the presence of the sovereign gods of the Harvest, if the sovereign gods will bestow . . . the late-ripening harvest which they will bestow . . . then I will fulfil their praises by presenting the first fruits in a thousand ears, and in many hundred ears.”

“When the two pillars, the divine Izanagi and Izanami’s augustness, younger sister and elder brother, had intercourse, and she had deigned to bear the many tens of countries of the countries, and the many tens of islands of the islands, and had deigned to bear the many hundred myriads of gods, she also deigned to bear her dear youngest child of all, the Fire-producer god.”

“Let the sovereign gods tranquilly take with clear hearts, as peaceful offerings and sufficient offerings the great offerings which I set up, piling them upon the tables like a range of hills providing bright cloth, glittering cloth, soft cloth, and coarse cloth.”

“I declare in the presence of the From-Heaven-shining great-deity . . . he will pile up the first fruits like a range of hills in the great presence of the Sovereign great goddess, and will peacefully enjoy the remainder.”

“The Maiden-of-Descent-into-the-Current, who dwells in the current of the swift stream which boils down the ravines from the tops of high mountains, and the tops of the low hills, shall carry out to the great sea plain the offenses which are cleared away and purified.”