The Literature, History, and Civilization of the Japanese [pp. 306-329]

318 THE LITERATURE, HISTORY AND CIVILIZATION [April,
midst of them floated a heap of compact matter resembling a fish. This was Japan. Then there appeared in
the midst of the elements something resembling a reed, which
soon transformed itself into a great Geni~. This was the first
of the celestial Gods, Kouni- Toko- Tatsino-ffU~oto (the Augustus perpetually standing in the empire).
To this Father of all the Gods directly succeeded two
other self-created Genii, both males. Only under the fourth
of the Genii appeared the woman; and starting from
this epoch the gods and goddesses obtained descendants by
mutual contemplation. It was not till the seventh generation that the god La- Na jino-mikoto (the Augustus who
granted too much) began to know his wife, La-Nam~no-mikoto
(the Augustus who excited too much).* Thenceforth the
gods lost their celestial nature, and began a second dynasty,
called the dynasty of the terrestrial genii. Of the fifth and
last demi-god of this dynasty was bo~~n Zin-rnou (the divine
warrior), the first emperor of Japan, and the chief of the
great race of princes who have filled the throne of Japan
since the year 660 B. C. We see here the explanation of
the prestige which surrounds the sovereign pontiffs of Miako,
and why it is that the Tycoons, or temporal sovereigns, while
they have monopolized the reins of government in their own
hands, cannot avoid consulting the Mikado in exceptional
circumstances, and recognizing, at least in appearance, the
title and the inherent prerogatives of the supreme power.
-During this long snccession of reigns, we behold a crowd
of noble figures recalling what is most celebrated in the annals of ancient and modern Lurope. Zin-mon, son of the
older gods, was the glorious founder of the monarchy; the
empress In-ko (the divine empress), seeking to conceal the
death of her husband and to reign in his place, yields in
*We beg our readers to notice the signification of these names, and to corn
rare them with the naine of lToang4t (the red lord), and of his wife LouMsou
(she who involves others in her own evil, the great ancestress). See the texts
in the Annates, vol. xvi. p. lUS (2d series). See besides the article of M. de
Ro~ny upon Les ~~rnps ante'-~istoriques, chcz les Japonais. (Annates, vol. xvi.
~ 64. 4th series.) A. B.