Japanese Solstice Story!!!!

PLAYING THE PLAY

of a JAPANESE SOLSTICE STORY

NYSEC, DEC. 18th, 2015

Narrated and guided by Audrey:  

Ethical Explorers invites you all to participate in a Solstice Story in honor of the shortest day and longest night of the year.  This Solstice story, from the traditional native religion of Japan, which is Shinto, is told in the 8th-century Kojiki, Japan's oldest existing chronicle, recording events from the days of the mythical age of the gods.  It draws from the personalities of the Shinto gods and their stories.  Ethical Explorers of NYSEC have reconfigured the story so that everyone can participate, by Playing the Play with us.  

The season’s growing darkness has troubled people throughout the ages, and humans throughout history have made many wonderful stories that offer reassurance of the Sun’s inevitable return.   In this Japanese legend, a mirror creates the solution.  It may be useful to appreciate that Mirrors hold a particular significance in Japanese traditional mythology, forming part of sacred regalia along with a jewel and a sword.   Because the mirror plays such an important role, the audience PLAYS the role of the mirror.

Think of how a mirror shoots light out glaringly when hit by light.  It can be almost blinding.  Audience, practice your part by shooting energy out of your fingertips in this direction….. Very Good.  This mirror (holding up a prop mirror) represents you, the solution!  

The audience also plays the role of the Gods of the World, suffering in the darkened days.  Practice this by moaning with fright about the darkness. Very good.  

Characters, please stand out to be identified as described.

The holder of this brightly reflecting mirror is the goddess of Mirth, a laughing dancer, named Ama no Uzume.  In our Ethical adaptation a group will share the collective-embodiment of MIRTH who solves the problem, bringing the Sun back to shine. If you love to dance, or be silly, this is a lovely character for you to help with.  You may join the core group for THE POWER OF MIRTH, led by Miles and Clyde.

Amaterasu Omikami is the Sun Goddess, a young woman known to be petulant and moody.  Today at NYSEC she is played, solo, by Lillian Fox.

Susanoo No Mikoto is her younger brother, the god of storms.  This character is a naughty trickster, and since our Ethics for Children group wants to avoid stereotypes about boys as troublemakers, we welcome all who wish to play the role of the sibling trickster, to be brothers and sisters of Amaterasu  The leader for this role is Richard.

Finally, there is one more element to name and that is the Cave for hiding when one is upset.  The cave here is created by Marifer and her family and others who wish to join them.

Now our stage is set.

This is the story of the first winter solstice, So very long ago, Sun Amaterasu and Storm Susanoo were walking along, when Susanno pulled a mischievous prank. Amaterasu becomes deeply offended by this, and expresses her fiery fury.  

Pause for Action: Susanno pulls a silly and stormy prank, (pretending to mess up Amaterasu’s hair with stormy wind power, and startle her with stormy lightning powers, for example).  

STORM:  HA! You are so sensitive, Amaterasu!  Na-na-na-na-na!  I messed up your sunny day! I may be younger than you, big sister, but I am powerful too! Na-na-na-na-na!

Amaterasu becomes outraged and gives a piece of her mind:

SUN: “Outrageous! You are always bothering me! You make me so furious. You better just leave me alone!  I just want to hide in a cave and have my own privacy.  I am going to hide in this cave and never come out!  I am so upset!  You make it impossible for me to feel good and SHINE!  You are such a mean storm!  So there!

In a huff,  Amaterasu goes off and hides herself in The Cave World to sulk.  The Cave World protects her as she uses her deep breaths to cool down and find some peace.  However, because Amaterasu is the Sun Goddess, her hiding away like that leaves the whole universe in complete darkness and chaos.  

The Gods of the World (AUDIENCE!) wail and moan in fear and distress in the darkness, cringing from the infinite darkness of the sky.   They beg her to emerge, but she refuses.  She is deaf to their entreaties.

All beseech her from outside the cave.  Amaterasu turns and pouts.

To the rescue comes, AMA-NO-UZUME, the POWER OF MIRTH.  Mirth comes up with a way to bring Amaterasu back out of the cave, explaining the plan.

MIRTH:  I have a plan. Listen closely for we will all have to work together.  We need a mirror that will shine Amaterasu’s light into her face so brightly.  Ah, we have this!  And now we need to attract Amaterasu’s attention to get her to look toward the mirror.  We will dance and laugh until she is so curious she cannot resist!

Ama-no-Uzume acknowledges the Audience as the helpful mirror, getting them ready to reflect the powerful sun.  Then, Ama-no-Uzume performs a comical dance outside the cave.  Everyone laughs wildly.  The laughter made Amaterasu so curious that finally, she could not resist.  She snuck a peek outside of the cave to see for herself.   

Alas, the Sun Goddess caught a glimpse of her own reflection in the mirror.  As she is the sun, after all, her reflection was brilliant and startling, and she was momentarily stunned by the sight of herself.   MIRTH AND STORM  took quick advantage of her momentary surprise and pulled her out from the cave.

Together, they were able to convince her to return to her proper place in the sky,  thus returning light and order to the world.   

PERSUASIVE PARTICIPANTS:  The world was too dark when you went away.  You are important.  You belong up in the sky, dear Amaterasu.  Everything will be all right, once you return to your rightful place.   We need you! We are so glad you are back!  Let us help you rise back up into your place of honor!  

Amaterasu gets lifted high into the sky, where she sings a sun song.  

Amaterasu’s return to the sky is celebrated on the winter solstice on the 21st day of  December every year.