[64] A strong suspicion of Chinese origin attaches to these elemental gods. [65] The significance of the _wo-bashira_, or end-tooth, is explained elsewhere. See Index. [66] See Index--'Peach.' [67] Deified as _Chi-gaheshi no Oho-kami_ (road-send-back-great-deity). [68] Muir's 'Sanskrit Texts,' v. 320. [69] See Murray's 'Japan,' fifth edition, p. 408. [70] See Index. [71] See Dr. Tylor's 'Primitive Culture,' ii. 435. [72] As Horus, in Egyptian myth, confronts the powers of darkness. [73] The Milky Way: a Chinese expression. [74] This is one of several miraculous births and pregnancies in Japanese myth. Mankind have a rooted propensity for imagining that it is possible to improve on the means ordained for this purpose by Divine Providence. See Mr. Hartland's 'Legend of Perseus' for numerous examples. [75] The _Kiujiki_ makes Masa-ya, &c., the son of the Sun-Goddess by Takamusubi. [76] Represented at Ise by dancers called _tonako_ (bird-cry). [77] 'The Golden Bough,' second edition, i. 115. [78] See index--'River-deities.' [79] See above, p. 90. [80] Another authority makes Uka no mitama a daughter of Izanagi and Izanami. [81] See above, p. 93. [82] See Index--_Futsunushi_. [83] Like Odin, who lends his spear Gungmir to heroes to win victories with. [84] _I.e._, died. [85] It was an Arab custom in certain places to build a hut outside the camp, where the parturient woman had to stay for a time.--Welhausen. [86] There was no official recognition of the art of writing in Japan until A.D. 405, and no mention of calendars until A.D. 553. So much for the authenticity of the above date. [87] Usa is not on the direct route from Hiuga to Yamato. It was no doubt introduced because this place was anciently a famous centre of Shinto worship. [88] This is a specimen of the numerous derivations of the Jimmu narrative. The Idzumo Fudoki is also full of infantile etymologies, which have usually a scrap of legend attached to them. [89] Blade-holder. [90] _Yata-garasu_ means eight-hand-crow. The guidance of conquerors or colonists to their destination by a supernatural bird or beast is a familiar feature of old-world story. [91] _Ame_ is the name of a sweet substance made from millet, of the same nature as our malt extract. [92] The Mikado deputed most of his priestly functions to the Nakatomi. [93] _Idzu-hime_ means dread or sacred princess. _Michi no Omi_ (minister of the way) seems therefore to have been given a feminine title for the occasion, no doubt because the office was usually held by women. [94] It was at this season of the year that the harvest festival, or rather the festival of tasting the new rice, was celebrated. See Index--_Nihiname_. [95] Japanese history is said to begin from this date. In reality nothing deserving the name existed for nearly one thousand years more. CHAPTER VII. THE PANTHEON--NATURE DEITIES. 1. GODS OF INDIVIDUALS AND GODS OF CLASSES.