The Radiant Dance of Ame no Uzume: A Mythical Tale of Light and Renewal in Japanese Folklore (天宇受賣命)

• There is a known myth about her possessed dance on an inverted vat at the entrance to the shelter of the sun goddess. After the sun goddess Amaterasu took refuge in the grotto, leaving the world in darkness, the gods resorted to a trick. They found a rooster, whose crowing heralds the dawn, and made a mirror decorated with precious stones.

• At their request, the goddess Ame no Uzume danced on an inverted vat, and it resembled the sound of a war drum. At the same time, Ame no Uzume played the bamboo flute and eight hundred myriads of deities accompanied her with their musical instruments.

• Some rattled wooden rattles; other deities had instruments with a singing string. The rooster crowed, and the goddess's dance became more and more excited.

• In ecstasy, she threw off her clothes, then the gods began to applaud, shout and laugh at the top of their voices. Surprised, Amaterasu looked out of the grotto and, seeing her reflection in the mirror, could not resist the desire to contemplate her beauty, left her refuge and the world was illuminated by the sun again. Which is what the gods needed, who wanted to return sunlight and warmth to the earth.