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The Reikai Monogatari chronicles how the saviour-deity Kamususanowo no Mikoto (full manifestation of the Great Original Deity of the Universe) mows down the Great Serpent Yamata no Orochi (Satan), presents the divine sword Murakumo to the Great Original Deity, manifests absolute sincerity in heaven and on earth, realizes the Age of Maitreya and reinstates the ensnared deity Kunitokotachi no Mikoto of the Earth's divine world as supreme ruler over the spiritual kingdom of the planet. This "Matrix-store Realm Sutra of the Great Maitreya Deity" also preaches the Four Noble Truths of Suffering, of Cause, of Extinction and of the Path, thus revealing the Way, Law, Courtesy and Propriety of Man.

The webmaster's note: The "Great Maitreya Deity," often found in Onisaburo literature, is different from what Buddhist scriptures call Maitreya-bodhisattva. According to Onisaburo, the former is equated with the Great Original Deity of the Universe (Creator) and is thus ranked above the latter.

Vol. 1, Preface

Given the verity that the spiritual and material worlds are like mirrors set against each other, what happens in the former will happen again in the latter--albeit in varying degrees of detail--regardless of time and place. Therefore, what is written in the Monogatari will likely manifest itself in our physical world.

On Feb. 9, Meiji 31 (1898), Onisaburo had a weeklong spiritual training on Mt. Takakuma, from where he explored the great spiritual world and witnessed the creation of the universe and of the Earth, as well as the collapse of Deity Kunitokotachi's world government in what is now called Jerusalem, Turkey (not Israel; probably a different city with the same name) in the age of the deities 350 thousand years ago. This initiatory experience earned him clairvoyance and other supernatural powers.

The webmaster's note: The number "350,000" should be taken as a figurative expression for a long time.

There are two distinct lines of kami in Omoto: one is the divine line of henjo-nanshi ("having the male soul in the female body"; best illustrated by Foundress Nao), and the other, the divine line of henjo-nyoshi ("having the female soul in the male body"; best illustrated by Onisaburo). The former is to the latter what John the Baptist to Jesus the Christ.

Onisaburo's mystical training on Mt. Takakuma proceeds at a lightening speed as if a kindergarten pupil earned a Ph.D. in a flash. Consequently, he sees through the past, present and future, learns the secrets of the realm of the deities and knows what will happen in the world in thousands of years.

The deity who leads Onisaburo to the spiritual world is Matsuoka (Pine Hill), a messenger of the Deity of Mt. Fuji, Konohana-hime (Plum-Tree-Princess"). Matsuoka often calls Onisaburo Mitsuba-dono (Mr. Mitsuba). Mitsuba is an abbreviation for Mitsubatsutsuji, which literally means "rhododendron" but in this context refers to the Spirit of Mizu. Mitsubatsutsuji lives on Mt. Takakuma, a model of Zion according to Onisaburo's precept of kata. It is interesting to note that this Mitsuba seems associated with Mizpeh, as in, for example, "And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the Lord" (1 Sam 7:5).

The breakdown of the great spiritual world is as follows:

The Reikai (Spiritual World)	Components	Sub-Components	Another Name
	The Tenkai (Heaven)	Three layers of the Ten-no-Shinkai (Realm of the deities in heaven) Three layers of the Chi-no-Shinkai (Realm of the deities on earth)	The Shinkai (Kingdom of the divinities)
	The Chu-u-kai (Intermediary)	The Johzaikai  (Realm of Purification)	The Seireikai (Purgatory)
	The Jigokukai (Hell)	Three layers of the Ne-no-kuni ("Root" realm of the lost, wandering spirits) Three layers of the Soko-no-kuni ("Bottom" realm of the lost, wandering spirits)	The Yukai (Kingdom of the perverted spirits)

Onisaburo meets the King of the Yukai (= Lord of Hades), whose 3,000-year-reign is about to end in a year. This later materializes as the reinstatement of Supreme Deity Kunitokotachi no Mikoto of the Earth's divine world.

The webmaster's note (1): The number "3,000" should be taken as a figurative expression for a long time.

The webmaster's note (2): The Omoto literature including the Monogatari often mensions Tenso (Creator of the universe) and Kokuso (Creator of Planet Earth). Tenso is usually identified as Kamususanowo, and Kokuso, as Kunitokotachi no Mikoto, ruler of the divine world of Planet Earth. Incidentally, Kunitokotachi could be the same as Jehovah, and this would remind the reader of a line from the Revelation: "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death" (1:18). See Omoto and the Revelation.

In the divine kingdom 350 thousand years ago, the world government was in what is now known as Asia Minor, Turkey. The reign in the holy city of Jerusalem (different from Jerusalem in Israel), which was strictly observed by Kunitokotachi, began to crumble due to subversion attempts by evil deities. The supreme deity's close aides were also seduced into self-aggrandizement.

The webmaster's note: The number "350 thousand" should be taken as a figurative expression for a long time ago.

One of the deities who usurped Kunitokotachi's throne was Shionaga-hiko (Salt-Long-Prince; also know as Banko-daijin), a deity who descended on what is now called northern China from the realm of the sun. He was originally tender-hearted and faithful, but he had changed since he was possessed by Yamata no Orochi (Eight-headed, eight-tailed serpent = anthropomorphizm of evil).

Unable to rule the world due to the rampage of the evil forces, Banko-daijin returned power to Kunitokotachi. Thus, with the stentorian declaration of his pledge to revamp the entire spiritual world through the mouth of Nao Deguchi ("The Greater World shall burst into bloom as plum blossoms at winter's end. Ushitora no Konjin has come to reign at last."), Kunitokotachi has been reinstated as chief ruler of Planet Earth's divine realm since Meiji 25 (1892).

There are three major devils on earth that have plunged the world into chaos since its creation: Yamata no Orochi (Eight-headed, eight-tailed serpent), Kimmoh-kyubi Hakumen no Akko (White-faced evil fox with nine blonde tails), and Rokumen-happi no Jaki (Six-faced, eight-armed ogre). They are formed as evil thoughts coagulate.

Yamata no Orochi appears in what is known today as Russia, Kimmoh-kyubi Hakumen no Akko, in present-day India, and Rokumen-happi no Jaki, in the land of Jews. Yamata no Orochi possesses the heads of twelve regions of the world and uses them to plunge the divine world into chaos. Kimmoh-kyubi Hakumen no Akko possesses the wives of those twelve regional leaders. Rokumen-happi no Jaki plots to vandalize every system of the divine world and of the physical world in order to assume the post of the Earth's ultimate ruler and to disrupt the world into pandemonium of the lost, wandering spirits.

Onisaburo the spirit scales Mt. Sumeru (or Mt. Misen, Mt. Myokoh; in Buddhist cosmology, Mt. Sumeru soars to the sky in the center of the universe), where he witnesses the creation of the Earth. In the chaos of the cosmos, a golden pillar revolves counterclockwise, and it soon turns into a golden dragon. Born from the golden dragon are a myriad of tiny dragons. Similarly, a silver pillar revolves clockwise, and it soon turns into a silver dragon. Born from the silver dragon are a myriad of tiny dragons. These dragons create the Earth. The golden dragon takes on a human form (spiritually) as Kunitokotachi, and the silver dragon, as Toyokumonu, the wife of Kunitokotachi.

The dragon-shaped Japanese Archipelago is the carbon copy of Kunitokotachi at the time of creating the Earth as a golden dragon. (See Japan's Mission)

Paramount Deity Kunitokotachi of the Earth's divine world has carried out an admirable reign for a few centuries through strict observance of the laws of heaven and earth. As time passes, however, wicked elements multiply in the three spiritual realms, complaining about Kunitokotachi's rigorous rule. In order to mollify them, Chief Angel and Prime Minister Oh-yashima-hiko (Great-Eight-Island-Prince) has to ease the laws, although he knows it is against Kunitokotachi's will. The great spiritual world is brought to the verge of breakdown as Shionaga-hiko (Salt-Long-Prince; also known as Banko-daijin) and Oh-kuni-hiko (Great-Land-Prince; also known as Daijizai-tenjin) join forces in toppling the Kunitokotachi administration to occupy the Earth's Taka-ama-hara (High-Plain-of-Heaven).

Kunitokotachi seeks help from Go-santai-no-oh-kami (Three Most August Deities of Heaven = the Creator of the Universe). However, the Banko-daijin and Daijizai-tenjin forces are so fierce that they corner Kunitokotachi into resignation. The Great Original Deity of the Universe has to make the gut-wrenching decision to oust Kunitokotachi to the Japanese isles in the northeast from Jerusalem, earning him the nickname Ushitora (Northeast)- no (of)-Konjin (God of Gold, of Metal and of Retribution). Simultaneously, the Creator of the Universe imparts an intuitive message that He will help reinstate the crestfallen deity when the Earth is on the brink of collapse in the future.

Upon the expulsion of Kunitokotachi, the Banko-daijin faction and that of Daijizai-tenjin fight for hegemony. It results in Banko-daijin's triumph, and since then, he has assumed full power in the reign of the divine world of the Earth. (Banko-daijin Shionaga-hiko is a deity of the direct lineage of Sun-God Izanagi, who descends upon the northern part of present-day China from the solar realm. Daijizai-tenjin Oh-kuni-hiko is a Herculean god who descends upon present-day North America from Uranus. Some researchers see the two deities' hegemonistic conflict as a model of a probable showdown between the United States and China.)

The souls of John the Baptist and Jesus the Christ shall reappear in Japan in accordance with the grand design of Kunitokotachi no Mikoto and Kamususanowo no Ohokami. In the Monogatari, John is spelld shinsei kaiki (founding of the age of gods) in kanji characters, and the Christ, shinsoku tohgoh (consolidating of the divine breath).

Plotting to usurp the holy sanctuary in Jerusalem, which is also called the Earth's Taka-ama-hara (High-Plain-of-Heaven), evil deities wage war against good deities at the Dragon Palace,  on Mt. Tenkyo (= Mt. Fuji), in the Garden of Eden, on Mt. Sinai, etc.

The webmaster's note: In light of Omoto's concept of kata ("model"), a model is first created in Omoto, which will breed a self-similar model of Japan, which will then breed yet another self-similar model of the world. (See Japan's Mission). Truly, the embryonic Omoto organization was plagued by an internal power struggle among influential members, and many of the good and evil deities mentioned in the Monogatari would correspond to actual Omoto followers. Those ambitious members who would often defy Onisaburo left the organization upon the outbreak of the first government suppression of Omoto in Taisho 10 (1921).

As an object of worship representing the Spirit of Kamususanowo, a purple ball with the red, white and blue gems built in the core is enshrined at the three-story golden palace in Jerusalem.

The pure clear water in the Ame-no-manawi (True-Pool-Well of Heaven) turns gold, and its essence transfoms into twelve beautiful jewels while descending on earth. Each of the twelve jewels has a distinctive divine power, although they work wonders only when they are gathered together. Take-kuma (Bamboo Bear; his model in Omoto is Takezoh Nakamura), Oni-kuma (Ogre Bear; his model in Omoto is Shikazoh Ohtsuki) and other taishu-reiju (flesh the master, spirit the servant) perverted deities launch the jewel-snatching conspiracy, but to no avail.

Take-kuma dies, and his bleeding forms a lake called the Dead Sea. Since then, he has become a revengeful spirit dwelling in the lake. The ten genuine jewels and the two fake jewels Take-kuma possesses sink into the Dead Sea temporarily before dispersing out in various parts of the world; the miasma those jewels give off inflicts suffering on every creature there.

Onisaburo has begun the dictation of the Reikai Monogatari to help people attain enough spirituality to go to heaven.

There are two kinds of human beings. One emanates from the iki (i [water] + ki [fire] = "breath") of Kami, while the other results from Adam and Eve, both of whom committed taishu-reiju (flesh the master, spirit the servant) sins against Kami's will. These categories, however, are indistinguishable now that 99.9% of the human race has leaned toward taishu-reiju, as opposed to reishu-taiju (spirit the master, flesh the servant).

Banko-daijin Shionaga-hiko (Salt-Long-Prince) is a good-natured deity of the direct line of Sun-God Izanagi (His Augustness the Male-Who-Invites), and he descends on the northern part of present-day China from the solar realm while Izanagi is off his guard. Meanwhile, Daijizai-tenjin Oh-kuni-hiko (Great-Land-Prince) is a Herculean god who descends on present-day North America from Uranus. Both deities are originally virtuous and respectful, but they come to degrade themselves to the point of acting like devils as they are possessed by evil spirits.

Tokoyo-hiko (Eternal-Land-Prince; also known as yatsuoh-daijin) is born from the iki (i [water] + ki [fire] = "breath") of Banko-daijin Shionaga-hiko, and his soul remains in Tokoyo-no-kuni (Land of Eternity"; usually referring to "North America" but sometimes to "foreign land"). His wife, Tokoyo-hime (Eternal-Land-Princess), has the secret agenda of trying to have the world in the palm of her hand.

The webmaster's note: Incidentally, Tokoyo-hime is a daughter of Wakazakura-hime (Young-Cherry-Blossom-Princess; a past incarnation of Foundress Nao Deguchi. In this respect, a model of Tokoyo-hime in Omoto corresponds to Nao's third daughter, Hisa, and alas, she would later create her own faction to defy Onisaburo by every possible means.

Hisa Fukushima

Tokoyo-hiko is possessed and manipulated by Yamata no Orochi (Eight-headed, eight-tailed serpent), the Serpent resulting from the spirits of Adam and Eve. Tokoyo-hime is possessed and manipulated by Kimmoh-kyubi Hakumen no Akko (White-faced evil fox with nine blonde tails) Oh-kuni-hiko is possessed and manipulated by Rokumen-happi no Jaki (Six-faced, eight-armed ogre).

Thus, the Reikai Monogatari is a drama of the three major factions of deities: the Kunitokotachi faction, the Shionaga-hiko faction, and the Oh-kuni-hiko faction.

Conspiring to install the Banko-daijin regime by toppling the Kunitokotachi government, Bohfuri-hiko (Stick-Brandishing-Prince; a reincarnation of Take-kuma) and Takatora-hime (High-Tiger-Princess; a reincarnation of Kotsune-hime [Tree-Eternal-Princess]) begin to prepare armaments for a battle to seize Mount Zion, the hub of the global governance. Tokiyo-hiko (Worship-Reign-Prince) gets wind of this and reports it to Angel Oh-yashima-hiko (Great-Eight-Continent-Prince). As a result, Oh-yashima-hiko and 15 other angels organize the divine army and strengthen their defenses around Mount Zion. Bohfuri-hiko and Takatora-hime resort to every nasty plot they can think of, but in vain.

One of the 16 greatest angels in the divine army is Miyama-hiko (Beautiful-Mountain-Prince). His wife is Kuniteru-hime (Land-Illuminating-Princess). At the command of Wakazakura-hime, they change their names to Kototama-wake (Kototama-Lord) and Kototama-hime (Kototama-Princess), respectively, as Bohfuri-hiko and Takatora-hime assume their names for evil purposes.

The webmaster's note: Incidentally, Kototama-wake (= Miyama-hiko) appears and reappears in later volumes as: (1) Sukuna-hiko-na-no-kami (Little-Prince-the-Renowned-Deity), who is the guardian spirit of Antarctica and later works for the salvation of the Yukai (Hell) while staying in the Land of Eternity (North America or foreign land as a whole), (2) Kotoyori-wake (Word-Reliance-Lord; head of the Ananai faith, a spiritual model of Omoto and other good religions), and (3) Jesus of Nazareth.

At the command of Angel Oh-yashima-hiko, Kototama-wake, aiming to lay the foundation for a divine reign, assembles in Jerusalem such deities as Kamikuni-wake (Divine-Land-Lord) from Mt. Chohaku (Long White = Mt. Paektu [or Baktu] in North Korea), Amaji-wake (Heavenly-Way-Lord; a past incarnation of Moses) from the Sea of Okhotsk, and Ameno-mamichi-hiko (Heavenly-True-Path-Prince; a past incarnation of Elijah) from a western sea.

Evil deities try to poison Kototama-wake on Mt. Tacoma [or Rainier] (near Seattle, the United States), to drown him in the Jordan River, and to put him in a wasp-house, but Kototama-wake is rescued each time with the divine help of Kunitokotachi.

The webmaster's note: Onisaburo also acted out Kototama-wake, and for the first ten years since he joined Omoto, he had been under constant attack from senior members, some of whom even attempted his assasination.

To seize Jerusalem and the 12 jewels, the false Miyama-hiko, the false Kuniteru-hime and other devils wage war against good deities at Mt. Zion. The devil army, however, is expelled by such competent deities as Oh-yashima-hiko (Great-Eight-Continent-Prince), Kototama-wake (Kototama-Lord), Oh-daru-hiko (Great-Fulfillment-Prince), and Kamikuni-wake (Divine-Land-Lord)--namely, the manifestations of the four soul-portions of Kamususanowo no Okami. (See Man as a living shrine of the Kami)

Kototama-wake, entrapped by Tokoyo-hime, falls out of favor with Wakazakura-hime (the No.2 figure in the holy city), and this leads to his ouster. Oh-yashima-hiko and other divine warriors come to his rescue and dispel Wakazakura-hime's misunderstanding; consequently, Kototama-wake returns to Jerusalem.

The webmaster's note: To see the above in Omoto's history, due to conflict with Nao (= a model of Wakazakura-hime) and her entourage, Onisaburo (a model of Kototama-wake) left Ayabe for central Kyoto for a few years during which he went to the Koten Kokyusho (Institute for the Study of the Japanese Classics) to obtain a Shinto priest's license.

Kunitokotachi, his wife-deity Toyokumonu, and Amaji-wake (Heavenly-Way-Lord; a past incarnation of Moses) enact laws of heaven and earth:

Internally, you shall:

1. Examine yourself.
2. Feel ashamed.
3. Repent.
4. Revere heaven and earth, and
5. Awaken to truth.

Externally, you shall:

1. Strictly observe the way of husband and wife and maintain a monogamous relationship.
2. Serve God, respect your elders, and show love and affection for all that is, and
3. Be forbidden to commit such immoralities as envy, slander, falsehood, larceny, and murder.

However, Wakazakura-hime (the No.2 figure in the holy city), of all deities, has an affair with the young and handsome Tamateru-hiko (Jewel-Glittering-Prince) in contravention of the laws of heaven and earth. Her husband Amenowaka-hiko (Heavenly-Young-Prince), too, has an affair with the bewitching Karako-hime (Foreign-Child-Princess). They both end up disciplining themselves in the world of the lost spirits (Hell).

Tokoyo-hime and Yamata no Orochi (Devil) give a command to evil deities throughout the world. As a result, natural calamities occur one after another, plunging the world into chaos. At the order of Kunitokotachi, Oh-yashima-hiko makes his eight hundred myriad deities spread the laws of heaven and earth to every corner of the Earth, but not a single deity bothers to obey them.

Kuninao-hime (Land-Sincerity-Princess) replaces Wakazakura-hime to rule the holy city.

Tokoyo-hime's rebellion throws the world into disarray. Her repented husband, Tokoyo-hiko, goes to Jerusalem to receive Kunitokotachi's advice. But Tokoyo-hime coaxes him into rebelling against the Kunitokotachi government again.

The attributes of Kunitokotachi, Shionaga-hiko, and Oh-kuni-hiko are as follows:

• Kunitokotachi is characterized by reishu-taiju (spirit the master, flesh the servant = worship of the Divine and altruism).
• Shionaga-hiko is characterized by taishu-reiju (flesh the master, spirit the servant = egotism), and
• Oh-kuni-hiko is characterized by ryokushu-tairei (power overrides flesh or spirit = might is right).

The 16 angels chosen to spread and enforce the divine commandments of heaven and earth are:

1. Oh-yashima-hiko (Great-Eight-Continent-Prince)
2. Kototama-wake (Kototama-Lord)
3. Kamikuni-wake (Divine-Land-Lord)
4. Oh-daru-hiko (Great-Fulfillment-Prince)
5. Hanamori-hiko (Flower-Forest-Prince)
6. Iwakusu-hiko (Rock-Camphor-Tree-Prince)
7. Mototeru-wake (Origin-Shining-Lord)
8. Michitsura-hiko (Way-Piercing-Prince)
9. Takaharu-hiko (Noble-Reign-Prince)
10. Arikuni-hiko (Existence-Land-Prince)
11. Magane-hiko (True-Iron-Prince)
12. Iwatama-hiko (Rock-Jewel-Prince)
13. Tokiyo-hiko (Worship-Era-Prince)
14. Azuma-wake (East-Lord)
15. Kamuzumi-hiko (Divinity-Purity-Prince), and
16. Takayama-hiko (High-Mountain-Prince)

Kunitokotachi relocates the 12 jewels of Venus enshrined on Mount Zion to 12 different regions of the world; simultaneously, he appoints 12 yatsugashira guardians to protect the jewels, and 12 yatsuoh rulers to govern the regions:

Regions	Jewel Colors	Yatsugashira Guardians	Yatsuoh Rulers
Yushan (in Taiwan)	Blue	Takakuni-wake (High-Land-Lord), and Takakuni-hime (High-Land-Princess)	Hanamori-hiko (Flower-Forest-Prince)
Mt. Wanshou (in Beijing)	Red	Mizuho-wake (Vigorous-Rice-Plant-Lord), and Mizuho-hime (Vigorous-Rice-Plant-Princess)	Iwakusu-hiko (Rock-Camphor-Tree-Prince)
Rome (in Italy)	White	Asateru-hiko (Morning-Shining-Prince), and Asateru-hime (Morning-Shining-Princess)	Mototeru-wake (Origin-Shining-Lord)
Moscow (in Russia)	Black	Yuhi-wake (Evening-Sun-Lord), and Yuteru-hime (Evening-Shining-Princess)	Michitsura-hiko (Way-Piercing-Prince)
Rocky Mountains (in North America)	Navy blue	Yasukuni-wake (Calming-Land-Lord), and Yasukuni-hime (Calming-Land-Princess)	Takaharu-hiko (Noble-Reign-Prince)
Mt. Kijo (Ogre Castle) (north of Lake Superior in Canada)	Gray	Mototeru-hiko (Origin-Shining-Prince), and Mototeru-hime (Origin-Shining-Princess)	Magane-hiko (True-Iron-Prince)
Paektu (in North Korea)	White	Iwanaga-hiko (Rock-Long-Prince), and Tamayo-hime (Jewel-Era-Princess)	Arikuni-hiko (Existence-Land-Prince)
Kunlun (in China)	Crimson	Oh-shima-hiko (Great-Island-Prince), and Oh-shima-hime (Great-Island-Princess)	Iwatama-hiko (Rock-Jewel-Prince)
Tien Shan (in Central Asia)	Yellow	Taniyama-hiko (Valley-Mountain-Prince), and Taniyama-hime (Valley-Mountain-Princess)	Tokiyo-hiko (Worship-Era-Prince)
Mt. Seiun (Blue Cloud) (in Tibet and India)	Gold	Azuma-hiko (East-Prince), and Azuma-hime (East-Princess)	Kamuzumi-hiko (Divinity-Purity-Prince)
Himalaya (in Tibet, Nepal, India and Bhutan)	Silver	Himalaya-hiko (Himalaya-Prince), and Himalaya-hime (Himalaya-Princess)	Takayama-hiko (High-Mountain-Prince)
Mt. Tacoma (or Rainier) (near Seattle, the United States)	Copper	Kunitama-wake (Land-Jewel-Lord), and Kunitama-hime (Land-Jewel-Princess)	Azuma-wake (East-Lord)

The webmaster's note: Yatsugashira guardians and yatsuoh rulers were originally good deities, but they have become corrupt since they were manipulated by the three largest groups of devils--namely, Yamata no Orochi, Kimmo Kyubi no Akko, and Rokumen Happi no Jaki.

Tokoyo-hiko (Eternal-Land-Prince; born from the breath of Shionaga-hiko), who arbitrarily proclaims himself head of the yatsuoh rulers (= yatsuoh-daijin), conspires with Oh-kuni-hiko (Great-Land-Prince) to attack Rome. The city's yatsuoh ruler, Mototeru-wake (Origin-Shining-Lord), seeks help from the Jerusalem government. Angel Oh-daru-hiko (Great-Fulfillment-Prince) and his deputy Michitaka-hiko (Way-Nobility-Prince) assemble the 12 yatsuoh rulers in Rome to form a divine army before counterattacking the devil forces.

The battle comes to a brief lull, and the yatsuoh rulers are off their guard to such a dangerous extent that they begin fighting among themselves. Seizing this opportunity, the evil army dispatches operatives to internally undermine the divine army.

The internal strife escalates to such alarming proportions that neither Oh-daru-hiko nor Michitaka-hiko can figure out how to quell it. Meanwhile, the devil forces headed by Tokoyo-hiko and Oh-kuni-hiko coax the yatsugashira guardians into running up against the yatsuoh rulers, leading up to the independence of each respective yatsugashira guardian. This is how today's world begins to be divided up into different nations.

With Tokoyo-hiko's onslaught on the divine army, Rome is on the verge of surrender. Under cover of darkness Oh-daru-hiko returns to the Ryugujo (Dragon Palace Castle) in Jerusalem to report the imminent fall of Rome to Prime Minister Kuninao-hime (Land-Sincerity-Princess), when, all of a sudden, Tokoyo-hime (Eternal-Land-Princess) appears out of nowhere and denounces Oh-daru-hiko for his sloppy defense, demanding his resignation. For some reason, Kuninao-hime returns to heaven without giving any solution to it. Seizing this oppotunity, Tokoyo-hime plots to assume the post of Prime Minister. Meanwhile, Kototama-wake's reinforcements make it possible to expel the evil forces from Rome.

Upon the ascension of Kuninao-hime, Tokoyo-hime usurps her post and starts an autocratic rule, causing the Ryugujo a great deal of commotion. The commotion helps Oh-kuni-hiko's vassals capture Oh-daru-hiko.

With the aid of Oh-kuni-hiko, Tokoyo-hiko attacks Rome again. Consequently, Kototama-wake is held hostage and is sent to Tokoyo-no-kuni (Land of Eternity = North America). On the way to Tokoyo-hiko's castle, however, divine help rescues Kototama-wake and Oh-daru-hiko, and the two deities return to the Ryugujo in the holy city.

Miyama-hiko (Beautiful-Mountain-Prince), Kuniteru-hime (Land-Illuminating-Princess) and other evil deities deploy media institutions and spies throughout the world not only to launch a smear campaign against Kototama-wake and Oh-daru-hiko but to manipulate the yatsuoh rulers and yatsugashira guardians as well.

The yatsuoh rulers and yatsugashira guardians attend a meeting in the Land of Eternity hosted by Tokoyo-hiko. Except for Yatsuoh Rulers Iwakusu-hiko (Rock-Camphor-Tree-Prince) and Tokiyo-hiko (Worship-Era-Prince), all the other yatsuoh rulers and yatsugashira guardians are cajoled into standing together to remove Archangel Oh-yashima-hiko. They board Tokoyo-hiko's aircraft to strafe the holy ground with incendiaries and poison bombs.

Oh-yashima-hiko, Kamikuni-wake, Oh-daru-hiko and Yashima-wake (Eight-Island-Lord) take the defensive, yet they are cornered on the verge of annihilation. Without the permission of Paramount Deity Kunitokotachi of the Earth's divine world, the four angels use the mighty hagun-no-tsurugi (enemy-defeating sword). As a result, the enemy planes all crash, and the devil army loses most of its strength. But alas, this act constitutes a violation of the Commandments of Heaven and Earth because Kunitokotachi urges deities to resort to peaceful means in settling conflicts, thus warning against the use of force.

Pointing out the four angels' transgression against one of the commandments of heaven and earth ("You shall not kill"), the Miyama-hiko & Kuniteru-hime group demands that Kunitokotachi take punitive measures. Rigorous in his observance of the commandments, Kunitokotachi orders--with gut-wrenching reluctance--the expulsion of Oh-yashima-hiko, Kototama-wake, Oh-daru-hiko and Kamikuni-wake from Jerusalem and their subsequent house arrest in the castle on Mt. Wanshou (in present-day Beijing).

The webmaster's note: Incidentally, Oh-yashima-hiko, Kototama-wake, Oh-daru-hiko and Kamikuni-wake are the manifestations of the four soul-portions of the Saviour Deity Kamususanowo no Okami, the Creator of the universe in action for salvation.

Takateru-hime (High-Illuminating-Princess) is appointed the 2nd Archangel, and her closest aides are Kototama-hime (Kototama-Princess), Masumi-hime (True-Purity-Princess), and Tatsuyo-hime (Dragon-Era-Princess). Takateru-hime rules the world peacefully for a while, but as time goes by, she and her aide-angels become so overconfident as to forget the protection of the Divine and make light of the commandments of heaven and earth. It is not long before the world is in disorder again.

Taking advantage of this situation, Tokoyo-hiko and Oh-kuni-hiko use the yatsuoh rulers and yatsugashira guardians to assail the holy city. Archangel Takateru-hime fights back in disregard of Kunitokotachi's order, and Kototama-hime uses the formidable hagun-no-tsurugi (enemy-defeating sword), annihilating the enemy forces.

Once again, the Miyama-hiko & Kuniteru-hime group makes an issue of the four angels' transgression and demands their punishment. Holding back his tears, Kunitokotachi orders them to be under house arrest in the Garden of Eden until they mend their ways.

The webmaster's note: These four angel-goddesses (Takateru-hime, Kototama-hime, Masumi-hime and Tatsuyo-hime) are the manifestations of the four soul-portions of Deity Kinkatsukane (Gold[or Metal]-Triumph[or Supremacy]-Pivot) of the physical Earth. (Kunitokotachi is the God of the Earth's divine world, while Kinkatsukane is the goddess of the physical Earth like Gaia).

The post of the 3rd Archangel goes to a great general, Sawada-hiko (Swamp[or Valley]-Rice-Paddy-Prince), and his right-hand-man is Ura-hiko (True-Heart-Prince).

One of Ura-hiko's aides is Momoteru-hiko (Hundred-Illuminating-Prince). Momoteru-hiko's wife is Haruko-hime (Spring-Child-Princess). Talented in performing arts, Haruko-hime often entertains the stressed Ura-hiko. However, this arises neighboring deities' suspicions about their relationship. Kunitokotachi grills Ura-hiko about his alleged infidelity with Haruko-hime. Later, Ura-hiko and Haruko-hime observe a ritual that proves their innocence, but Ura-hiko, taking responsibility for this incident resulting from his lack of discretion, steps down as Sawada-hiko's deputy and stabs himself to death.

The Sawada-hiko Administration is faced with turmoil. However, he does nothing but only resort to a policy of benign neglect. His wife remonstrates with him; such is her remonstration that Sawada-hiko abandons his responsibility and returns to heaven.

Then, Hiromune-hiko (Wide-Ancestry [or Mainstay, Religion]-Prince), the eldest son of Ura-hiko, is chosen as the 4th Chief Angel, and his younger brother, Yukinari-hiko (Action-Completion-Prince) supports him. Thanks to his profound love and mercy for the nation, Hiromune-hiko is hailed as one of the greatest rulers of the world.

Nevertheless, things have changed for the worse since Hiromune-hiko welcomed in his government Momogami-hiko (Peach-Upside-Prince), the illegitimate child between Hiromune-hiko's widowed mother Kototaru-hime (Thing-Sufficiency-Princess) and her "second husband" Harunaga-hiko (Spring-Everlasting-Prince).

The webmaster's note: Kototaru-hime loses her chastity and marries Harunaga-hiko simply out of loneliness, thus insulting the spirit of her ex-husband Ura-hiko.

With the blood of illegitimacy running through him, the self-aggrandized Momogami-hiko conspires with Tokoyo-hime (wife of Tokoyo-hiko) to subvert the Jerusalem government and to destroy the commandments of heaven and earth.

Attached at the end of this volume is Onisaburo's revelation about the creation of the universe: A Creation Story (from Vol. 3 of the Reikai Monogatari)

This volume features the so-called Tokoyo Conference and the ensuing seclusion of Supreme Deity Kunitokotachi of the Earth's divine world. The Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters) says: "The names of the Deities that were born next were Kuni-no-toko-tachi-no-kami (Earthly-Eternally-Standing-Deity), next Toyo-kumo-nu-no-kami (Luxuriant-Integrating-Master-Deity). These two Deities are likewise Deities born alone, and hid their persons." This passage is very simple, but it has profound details, as shown in this volume.

The webmaster's note: Onisaburo once remarked that the Kojiki was not a myth but a book of prophecies.

St. John's Gospel Chapter 1, Verse 1 says: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word with God, and the Word was God." As this quote suggests, the True God has created all that is in the universe with the five fu-on(literally, "father-sound") of a, o, u, e, and i , and the nine bo-on (literally "mother-sound") of ka, sa, ta, na, ha, ma, ya, ra, and wa. The five fu-on are the True Divine Voice of the Creator, facilitating the preservation, movement and evolution of the universe. If you would like to hear the fu-on in your microcosm (Onisaburo sees the human body as a miniature version of the cosmos), just wad your ears with your fingers and listen to the inner sound.

With his appointed Wakazakura-hime, Kuninao-hime, Oh-yashima-hiko, Takateru-hime and Sawada-hiko stepping down, Kunitokotachi's divine administration is undermined as if a crab were stripped of its legs. However, the righteous and incorruptible Kunitokotachi still makes a rigorous observance of the commandments of heaven and earth and orders his deities to do likewise; a violation would cost them their posts--with no exception.

Upon Hiromune-hiko's appointment as the 4th Archangel, Tokoyo-hiko (Eternal-Land-Prince) plans to assemble the yatsuoh rulers and yatsugashira guardians at his castle in Tokoyo-no-kuni (Land of Eternity = North America) to form a federation. Meanwhile, Tokoyo-hiko also discusses with Oh-kuni-hiko (Great-Land-Prince) the possibility of holding a global conference of deities.

The so-called Tokoyo Conference on Global Peace is a great concoction of Tokoyo-hiko and Oh-kuni-hiko, who try to thwart Kunitokotachi's governance to establish their own regime.

Intimidated with a threatening letter, almost all the yatsuoh rulers and yatsugashira guardians decide to attend the Tokoyo Conference. However, Yatsuoh Iwakusu-hiko and Yatsugashira Mizuho-wake of Mt. Wanshou (in Beijing) decline the invitation as they have received Kunitokotachi's oracle that warns against this conference of Tokoyo-hiko and Oh-kuni-hiko's conspiracy. In the meantime, Archangel Hiromune-hiko is persuaded into attending the conference.

The Tokoyo Conference on Global Peace is declared open at the Tokoyo Castle, the capital of Tokoyo-no-kuni. Oh-taka-hiko (Great-Hawk-Prince; an aide of Oh-kuni-hiko) and Miyama-hiko (Beautiful-Mountain-Prince; an aide of Tokoyo-hiko) take the podium and propose that each deity's guard-animals be disarmed to unify the world with moral justice, and that the yatsuoh-ruler-system be abolished to do away with class distinctions among deities.

For background information, in this age of the gods, when there are no clear boundaries among nations and no clear distinctions between deities and humans, the gods have a divine rule while worshipping the guardian-deity of their place, mostly high mountains. They use dragon-snakes, tigers, wolves, lions, evil foxes, ogres, white foxes, crocodiles, bears, eagles, hawks, crows, kites and other animals for their protection, just as a present-day nation deploys land, sea and air forces for its security. For the armed forces, armaments such as missles are their weapons; for the guard-animals, parts of their bodies like horns, tusks, wings and shells are their weapons.

While Yatsugashira Kunitama-wake of Mt. Tacoma (near Seattle) hails Oh-taka-hiko and Miyama-hiko's proposal, it leaves all the other yatsuoh rulers and yatsugashira guardians speechless primarily because the proposed abolition of the yatsuoh-ruler-system disregards the will of its initiator and their "boss," Kunitokotachi no Mikoto.

As a messenger from the holy city, Yukinari-hiko (Action-Completion-Prince; younger brother of 4th Chief Angel Hiromune-hiko) agrees to the disarmament plan but voices strong opposition to the abolition of the yatsuoh-ruler-system, saying that it will run counter to Kunitokotachi's divine governance. Enraged by Yukinari-hiko's rebuttal, Tokoyo-hiko (mastermind of this sham) demands that he be banished from the conference. However, strange things occur in succession, forcing the 1st Tokoyo Conference to a chatic close.

At the opening of the 2nd Tokoyo Conference, Tokoyo-hime (wife of Tokoyo-hiko) calls on the participants to cooperate in achieving the objectives of this conference, thereby contributing to an enduring peace of the divine world. A couple of deities on the Tokoyo-hime side take the podium and express full support for Tokoyo-hiko, when, all of a sudden, there is a shout that warns against falling into Tokoyo-hiko's trap. Then, weird things happen again. Yukinari-hiko attributes this disarray to Tokoyo-hiko and his deities' violation of Kunitokotachi's commandments of heaven and earth, and he goes on to ask them to look down. To their astonishment, they find themselves seated in muddy rice fields at a distance from the Tokoyo Castle.

Realizing that the previous conferences were held without praying for divine guidance, the participants in the 3rd Tokoyo Conference decide to offer prayers to the Great Original Deity of the Universe prior to the plenary session.

Tokoyo-hiko abandons his scheme to take over the post of Kunitokotachi; however, not even for a moment does he give up his ambition to become Archangel.

Addressing the deities, Tokoyo-hiko once again proposes that each deity's guard-animals be disarmed to unify the world with moral justice, and that the yatsuoh-ruler-system be abolished to do away with class distinctions among deities. Oh-taka-wake (Great-Hawk-Lord; an aide of Oh-kuni-hiko) expresses support in order to steamroll Tokoyo-hiko's motion. Yatsuoh Ruler Tokiyo-hiko (Worship-Era-Prince) of Tien Shan (in Central Asia) couters this proposal by launching a tirade about what a sham the whole conference is. Evil deities readily lash out at Tokiyo-hiko, reducing the 3rd Conference to a shambles.

The 4th Tokoyo Conference is held. Moritaka-hiko (Forest-Hawk-Prince), an aide of Yatsuoh Ruler Michitsura-hiko (Way-Piercing-Prince) in Moscow, delivers an eloquent speech in support of Kunitokotachi's divine rule and his instituted yatsuoh-ruler-system; he goes on to ask Tokoyo-hiko and Tokoyo-hime to repent and to call on the attendees to awaken from this conspiracy.

Actually, this Moritaka-hiko is not the real Moritaka-hiko; he is a byakko (white fox) in disguise. Byakko are sacred foxes (but not always "white" foxes, as the color signifies sacredness), which under their leader Onitake-hiko (Ogre-Audacity[Arms]-Prince) execute the command of Kunitokotachi--somewhat similar to the Secret Service.

Tokoyo-hiko and his deities are all manipulated by devils, perverted spirits, evil foxes and poisonous serpents, which make them do bad things including a breach of the commandments of heaven and earth. This evil manipulation is behind the Tokoyo Conferences.

By shinjin (deity-human), it means a deity made in the human form who can exhibit supernatural powers when they return to their original state, such as a dragon-serpent, tiger or lion. To develop the divine world of the Earth, the Great Original Deity of the Universe restricts their supernatural powers and turns them into shinjin when they are born. In fact, some shinjin could revert to dragons, white serpents or various other forms in time of crisis; however, this reversion, going against the Kami's spirit of continuous creation and evolution, violates the commandments of heaven and earth, and the shinjin involved could risk a spiritual demotion. This is why shinjin makes great efforts to preserve their divinity in the face of whatever ordeal. Those shinjin who abandon themselves to despair wind up losing their divinity and reverting to evil dragons, paving the way for their downfall. Nearly equal to such deity-humans are taishu-reiju (flesh the master, spirit the servant) materialists in today's society. In this respect, humans should exercise as much patience as possible to preserve their divine attributes as descendants of God.

Kunitokotachi's Ofudesaki says something to the effect that he has endured trials and tribulations of whatever kind for the past 3,000 (literal or figurative?) years. Endowed with perfect divine qualities as the creator of the Earth, Kunitokotachi finds it a piece of cake to revert to his originate being (golden dragon) and do what he wants. However, exhibiting infinite divine power through the reversion would violate the laws of heaven and earth that he himself enacted, and for this reason, he would not easily resort to it. The Ofudesaki also says that Kunitokotachi would have to make the Earth a "muddy ocean" if he returned to his ancient appearance. In other words, should Kunitokotachi turn back into a golden dragon, he would have to put an end to the world that has come this far materially. To avoid it, he has had to bear the unbearable to observe the commandments of heaven and earth.

Tokoyo-hiko and other immoral deities are well aware of this reversion, and they can do so if they want to, but they refrain from it for fear of losing their divinity and undergoing perpetual suffering in hell.

Tokoyo-hiko collapses while craftily urging the yatsuoh rulers to step down. Consequently, the meeting is adjourned for a week. Tokoyo-hiko's sudden illness is the result of Onitake-hiko (Ogre-Audacity[Arms]-Prince)'s efforts to thwart the conspiracy under the command of Kunitokotachi. In desperation Tokoyo-hiko's aides and Tokoyo-hime decide to substitute Michi-hiko (Way-Prince) for Tokoyo-hiko because they look very much alike as if they were two peas in a pod. Michi-hiko's resemblance appalls even Tokoyo-hime.

The meeting is resumed. Knowing that the current Tokoyo-hiko is a false one, Yukinari-hiko (Action-Completion-Prince; younger brother of 4th Archangel Hiromune-hiko) changes his opinion and starts reciting a poem that praises Tokoyo-hiko. Then, Yatsuoh Ruler Takayama-hiko (High-Mountain-Prince) of Himalaya proposes that yatsuoh rulers hang together and select their leader in order to obey Kunitokotachi and manifest a divine reign under the command of the Supreme Leader. Takayama-hiko's proposal is greeted with a roar of applause.

Consequently, the abolition of the yatsuoh-ruler-system is voted down, and Tokoyo-hiko is elected as leader of yatsuoh rulers (= Yatsuoh Daijin).

Thanks to Yukinari-hiko's motion, it is decided that the deities' guard-animals will be disarmed. The real Tokoyo-hiko appears, calling for a halt to the disarmament plan. However, the false Tokoyo-hiko (Michi-hiko in disguise) accuses the real Tokoyo-hiko of being Michi-hiko in disguise and goes ahead with the disarmament.

For example, dragons throw away the jewels they have. Lions, tigers, bears and wolves remove their wings. Crocodiles, whales and marine dragons pull out their needle-like bristles. White foxes get rid of their hard fur. Birds take off poison sacs hanging beneath their throats. This disarmament is one of the most praiseworthy undertakings for the divine world.

The disarmed dragons have later evolved into human beings or even deities. The disarmed lions, tigers, leopards, bears, wolves and the like have evolved into human beings, cows, horses, dogs, cats or others. Therefore, even today some people have the remnants of these animals, and such people, having hereditary influence, tend to be a little cold-hearted, indulge in carnal desires or commit taishu-reiju (flesh the master, spirit the servant) acts.

Tokoyo-hime hurries to Jerusalem, where she conspires with Momogami-hiko (Peach-Upside-Prince) to devise a plot to oust 4th Archangel Hiromune-hiko (Wide-Ancestry[or Mainstay, Religion]-Prince) and his younger brother Yukinari-hiko (Action-Completion-Prince). In the presence of Kunitokotachi, Tokoyo-hime reports with both truth and falsehood what had happened at the Tokoyo Conference, accusing some deities in the Jerusalem administration of resorting to Machiavellian trickery. Shocked by Tokoyo-hime's words, Kunitokotachi turns around and disappears into his room without saying anything. Later, with tears in his eyes, the Supreme Leader reprimands Oh-michi-wake (Great-Way-Lord = Michi-hiko = the false Tokoyo-hiko) for violating the commandments of heaven and earth. It is not long before Oh-michi-wake commits suicide.

Oh-michi-wake's nigi-mitama and sachi-mitama soul-aspects (See Man as a living shrine of the Kami) turn into Kotohira-wake (Kumbhira-Lord), the turtle deity, while his ara-mitama and kushi-mitama soul-aspects, into Hinode no kami (Sunrise-Deity), whose spectacular exploits are seen in Vol. 7-10.

The webmaster's note: Kotohira or Kompira is a Buddhist deity until the Meiji period. Now technically a kami (Oh-mono-nushi), Kompira is widely venerated for safety at sea and is the protector of sailors, travellers, fishermen and shipping companies who are its ujiko. The name Kompira probably reflects the Sanskrit Kumbhira which is also the name of one of the Buddhist "Twelve Heavenly Generals" of the Yakushi-kyo, the "Medicine-Master Sutra."

Out of consideration for Kunitokotachi, Archangel Hiromune-hiko resigns to take responsibility for the turmoil and transfers his post to his brother Momogami-hiko.

Onitake-hiko (Ogre-Audacity[Arms]-Prince), a Secret Service agent of Kunitokotachi, as it were, asks the Supreme Deity for an explanation of his dismissal of Yukinari-hiko and other moguls who succeeded in subverting the Tokoyo Conference. "Ask yourself," says Kunitokotachi, implying that Onitake-hiko and his fox-angels committed trickery in contravention of the laws of heaven and earth. Greatly upset, Onitake-hiko contradicts his boss by making a careless remark: "You use us as much as you can and dump us when you no longer need us. It is at your command that we sneaked into the Tokoyo Castle and aborted Tokoyo-hiko's conspiracy. Never did Yukinari-hiko and his deities act in defiance of your order. We were simply faithful to our duties."

Onitake-hiko's slip of the tongue leaves Kunitokotachi nonplussed. Tokoyo-hiko, who happens to be prostrating himself before the Supreme Deity, starts to grin as if he had just found a long-awaited excuse to oust Kunitokotachi.

At the grand palace in Jerusalem, a gala ceremony takes place for newly-appointed 5th Archangel Momogami-hiko and for Hiromune-hiko, Yukinari-hiko and other outgoing rulers. The Holy Ground flourishes again as Momogami-hiko rules with benevolence. However, the Archangel gradually becomes derelict in his duties and begins to seek earthly pleasures and disregard the will of Kunitokotachi. He ends up losing the confidence of many deities in the world and undermining the divine reign.

Kunitokotachi accuses Momogami-hiko of maladministration, and Momogami-hiko tenders his resignation. This power vaccum throws the world in disarray, forcing the divine governance on the verge of collapse. All the deities of the world, whether they be good or evil, gather together in Jerusalem. Unable to overlook the imminent crumbling, even Tokoyo-hiko and Oh-kuni-hiko, both of whom have always rebelled against Oh-yashima-hiko (1st Archangel) and Takateru-hime (2nd Archangel), come to Jerusalem to stabilize the political situation with their usual animosity left behind.

At first, Oh-yashima-hiko is recommended as a new chief angel, but he gently declines it, saying that he was once dismissed for breaching the mandates of heaven and earth. Likewise, Takateru-hime also refuses the recommendation for the same reason. Then, the deities unanymously choose Tokoyo-hiko.

This unexpected election of Tokoyo-hiko makes him feel ashamed of his past conduct and deliver the next speech: "I have never assumed the post of archangel just as Oh-yashima-hiko and Takateru-hime have. All I have done is to make every effort to subvert the rule of Kunitokotachi. A sinful deity like me is not qualified for the sacred post, and I demand that this decision be nullified immediately."

Representing the deities at the meeting, Tokoyo-hiko goes to where Kunitokotachi is to deferentially inquire about the Supreme Deity on the nomination of a new archangel. "I appoint Tokoyo-hiko as the 6th Archangel" says Kuni-toko-tachi. Feeling deep remorse, Tokoyo-hiko replys in awe: "I do not deserve this appointment. It would be greatly appreciated if you would appoint Oh-yashima-hiko instead." "I mean it," says Kunitokotachi as he returns to his private room.

Hence, Tokoyo-hiko formally assumes archangelship. He wins the appointment because he gives up his desire for self-aggrandizement and exercises his utmost sincerity for the divine reign. He also earns the honorable name Tokoyo-hiko-no-Mikoto. His inauguration is one of the most magnificent ceremonies the world has ever known.

In the precincts of Jerusalem is a body of water called the Ryugukai (Dragon Palace Sea). Yamata-no-Orochi (Devil) lurks in the sea, proclaims itself as king of the Ryugukai and bides its time to corrupt Archangel Tokoyo-hiko-no-Mikoto. Unable to do it easily, the Serpent decides to target his wife Tokoyo-hime instead.

During her outing to the Mount of Olives, Tokoyo-hime eats green plums and becomes pregnant. 12 months later, she gives birth to a baby boy and names him Takatsuki-hiko (High-Moon-Prince). On another occasion, Tokoyo-hime eats plums and becomes pregnant again. 16 months later, she has a baby girl, and she is named Hatsuhana-hime (Origin-Flower-Princess). On yet still another occasion when she visits the Mount of Olives, Tokoyo-hime eats figs and delivers a baby girl named Satsuki-hime (May-Princess). Satsuki-hime and Hatsuhana-hime look very much alike.

One day, Tokoyo-hiko-no-Mikoto and others are having a drink aboard the ship floating on the Dragon Palace Sea, when all of a sudden, Yamata-no-Orochi appears out of the water and changes itself into Takatsuki-hiko. Tokoyo-hiko-no-Mikoto balks at slaying this false Takatsuki-hiko with his sword because of its close resemblance to his real son. In a split second, Yamata-no-Orochi in disguise runs away toward Tokoyo-hiko-no-mikoto's house, where the real Takatsuki-hiko is. Tokoyo-hiko-no-Mikoto immediately stops the feast on the sea and hurries back to his residence. There he finds two Takatsuki-hikos looking like two peas in a pod. Unable to distinguish which is which, Tokoyo-hiko-no-Mikoto is at a loss for what to do.

The Holy City has thrived on the wise reign of Archangel Tokoyo-hiko-no-Mikoto with the assistance of the two Takatsuki-hikos (This is because no one, not even his parents, can tell the true Takatsuki-hiko). However, rumors spread all over the divine world about the two Takatsuki-hikos, giving rise to doubt and anxiety among the deities including the yatsuoh rulers and yatsugashira guardians.

Tokoyo-hiko-no-Mikoto's excessive concern over the matter results in his illness. On his deathbed, the Archangel expresses his deep remorse for having rebelled against Kunitokotachi and former archangels and  leaves his last words: "You should repent immediately by witnessing me reap the miserable fruit of my soul and never even think about committing transgressions." Then, he breathes his last.

The deities of the world gather together for the ascension of Tokoyo-hiko-no-Mikoto; they also intend to choose his successor. Then again, the two Takatsuki-hikos show up. The deities cannot tell one from the other, but a weeklong discussion uncovers the false one, and it changes back into Yamata-no-Orochi and leaves. While breathing a sigh of relief, however, the true Takatsuki-hiko is possessed by Yamata-no-Orochi.

Under the absolute confidence of the deities, Takatsuki-hiko formally succeeds his father as the 7th Archangel.

Now that her husband is dead, Tokoyo-hime expresses her intention to step down as head of the Ryugujoh (Dragon Palace Castle) and to transfer her post to Hatsuhana-hime. The deities unanymously agree to Tokoyo-hime's proposal, and Hatsuhana-hime becomes her mother's successor in a solemn ceremony that follows.

Just as Hatsuhana-hime is about to address the audience after the ceremony, Satsuki-hime also appears on the podium. They start to struggle over Tokoyo-hime's vacancy, but no one can distinguish one from the other because they look very much alike. Even their mother, Tokoyo-hime, cannot tell.

Fortunately, Miyabi-hiko (Shrine-Comparison-Prince) smokes out the culprit as Satsuki-hime turns back into Kimmokyubi-no-Akko (Devil), and the Evil Fox is expelled with the Ama-no-Kazu-Uta incantation Miyabi-hiko chants.

The webmaster's note: Based on kototama, Ama-no-Kazu-Uta (literally "Chant of Heavenly Numbers") consists of the following: hito (= 1), futa (= 2), mi (= 3), yo (= 4), itsu (= 5), muyu (= 6), nana (= 7), ya (= 8), kokono (= 9), tari (= 10), momo (= 100), chi (= 1,000), and yorozu (= 10,000).

Tokoyo-hime is shocked to find that one of her daughters, Satsuki-hime, is the result of Kimmokyubi-no-Akko (Evil Fox) living in her womb. This traumatic experience consumes her to death.

Hatsuhana-hime formally assumes head of the Dragon Palace Castle. In no time at all, however, she is possessed by Kimmokyubi-no-Akko.

Takatsuki-hiko succeeds to his father's name 'Tokoyo-hiko', and Hatsuhana-hime, to her mother's name 'Tokoyo-hime.' The former is possessed by Yamata-no-Orochi while the latter, by Kimmokyubi-no-Akko. They both gradually become corrupt and dissolute, and so do their aides and subordinates, as well as the yatsuoh rulers, yatsugashira guardians and their wives. They have all degenerated into "containers of evil."

Tokoyo-hiko, Jr. manages to persuade Kunitokotachi to grant him the disrespectfully grandiose title of Yatsuoh-daijin (Great Deity Yatsuoh). Plotting to replace Kunitokotachi with Banko-daijin Shionaga-hiko (Salt-Long-Prince), the Yatsuoh-daijin assembles deities at the Tokoyo Castle to hold a clandestine meeting. After praising the Yatsuoh-daijin, Daijizai-tenjin Oh-kuni-hiko (Great-Land-Prince) makes a speech calling for the installment of Shionaga-hiko and the resignation of Kunitokotachi.

Representing the general will of the evil-possessed deities at the Tokoyo Castle, Miyama-hiko (Beautiful-Mountain-Prince) and Kuniteru-hime (Land-Illuminating-Princess) visit Jerusalem to coerse Kunitokotachi into expelling Oh-yashima-hiko (Great-Eight-Continent-Prince), Kototama-wake (Kototama-Lord), Oh-daru-hiko (Great-Fulfillment-Prince) and Kamikuni-wake (Divine-Land-Lord), Takateru-hime (High-Illuminating-Princess), Masumi-hime (True-Purity-Princess), Kototama-hime (Kototama-Princess) and Tatsuyo-hime (Dragon-Era-Princess) from the Holy City. Deported to the lunar world, Oh-yashima-hiko, Kototama-wake, Oh-daru-hiko and Kamikuni-wake merge into Kuni-hiro-tachi-no-Mikoto (Earth-Majestically-Standing-Deity), a different manifestation of Kamususanowo no Okami. Similarly, Takateru-hime, Masumi-hime, Kototama-hime and Tatsuyo-hime, all of whom are incarcerated in the earth, merge into Deity Kin-katsu-kane (Gold[or Metal]-Triumph[or Supremacy]-Pivot) of the physical Earth.

Miyama-hiko and Kuniteru-hime successfully oust the above eight deities, but they have such momentary hesitation that they stop short of entreating Kunitokotachi to resign voluntarily. Enraged by this failure, Tokoyo-hiko, Jr. places Miyama-hiko and Kuniteru-hime under house arrest.

The Yatsuoh-daijin and many other divinities go up to heaven, where they plead with Gosantai no Okami (Three Most August Deities of Heaven = Great Original Deity of the Universe) to dismiss Kunitokotachi owing to his inadequacies as supreme leader of the Earth's divine world.

The webmaster's note: Incidentally, the Three Most August Deities of Heaven consist of Ame-no-mi-naka-nushi-no-kami (Deity Master-of-the-August-Center-of-Heaven) and Its two emanations Taka-mi-musu-bi-no-kami (High-August-Producing-Wondrous Deity; progenitor of spirit) and Kamu-mi-musu-bi-no-kami (Divine-Producing-Wondrous-Deity; progenitor of material).

Under the divine order of the Great Original Deity of the Universe, Kunitokotachi created the Earth in the beginning and has since then governed the planet as paramount guardian-deity. However, so strict is his reign that lower deities feel cramped and begin to complain. On the other hand, the Yatsuoh-daijin adopts such a flexible and lenient rule as to win the support of numerous deities, who eventually come up with a resolution calling for Kunitokotachi's seclusion.

The Three Most August Deities of Heaven simply listen to the divinities' plea while They are fully aware that divine orders cannot be easily rescinded or modified once they are in place. Shortly afterwards, the Most August Deities ask Kunitokotachi to make his rule lax and flexible. For all Their attempt, the deity of absolute truth, justice and integrity will not budge an inch.

Not knowing what to do, the Three Majestic Deities have Toyokumonu (Kunitokotachi's wife) convince her husband to rule in accordance with the current of the times. No matter how hard Toyokumonu may try, Kunitokotachi expresses his displeasure at the laxity of governance, opposes any violation of the commandments of heaven and earth and declines his wife's advice once and for all.

The disheartened Toyokumonu returns to the August Deities to report about her husband's rugged firmness in his determination. Following Toyokumonu, Tokoyo-hiko, Jr. goes up to heaven to present an epistle to the Three Most August Deities of Heaven, who breathe a sigh of depression reading it.

The epistle reads: "Supreme Deity Kunitokotachi no Mikoto of the Earth's divine world has a reputation as a consummate ruler with absolute integrity who strictly observes the mandates of heaven and earth under any circumstances. His true character, however, belies his glorious fame. For instance, at the global conference chaired by the late Tokoyo-hiko-no-Mikoto, the paramount leader used a close aide, Onitake-hiko, to resort to every form of trickery against the laws he himself had enacted, thereby creating turmoil that would ultimately ruin the conference in its entirety. As such, not a single deity on earth trusts Kunitokotachi any more. On behalf of all the divinities, I request that he be replaced by Banko-daijin Shionaga-hiko as supreme ruler of the divine world."

Ordinary deities on earth also visit heaven time and again beseeching for the resignation of Kunitokotachi. Unable to pacify them, the Three Most August Deities of Heaven finally come down to Jerusalem and intuitively order Kunitokotachi--with gutwrenching grief--to leave the Holy City for Ne-no-kuni and Soko-no-kuni (hell and damnation).

Aware of the Deities' most profound consideration, Kunitokotachi volunteers to admit: "I am too stubborn to adapt myself to the trend of the times. It is my obstinacy that is responsible for the pandemonium the world has gone through. I will go down to hell to redeem my sin." The deity of supreme truth, supreme integrity, supreme solemnity and supreme love is willing to live in seclusion to shoulder the sins of all the divinities for the sake of world peace.

The Most August Deities reply: "It fills us with unfathomable sorrow to see you express willingness to resign out of consideration for our predicament. However, if fortune turns in our favor, we pledge to reinstate you as supreme leader of the world. When that time comes, we will descend to the earth and assist you in your divine work."

The webmaster's note: It is in line with this ancient divine oath that the divine theatrical troupe named Omoto (Great Origin, Great Root) came into being with Onisaburo Deguchi as director.

Vol. 4, Divine Oath

Fearing that his resignation may adversely affect his wife, Kunitokotachi divorces Toyokumonu and goes down to hell alone. He soon assumes power as head of the underworld just like the Lord of Hades or the Great King Yama, while his spirit remains in the Japanese Archipelago northeast of Jerusalem. Though divorced, the faithful Toyokumonu feels such compassion for her husband that she decides to withdraw into the Italian island of Sardinia southwest of Jerusalem. She is a paragon of wifehood. This is how Kunitokotachi and Toyokumonu earn their nicknames, Ushitora (Northeast)-no (of)-Konjin (God of Gold, of Metal and of Retribution) and Hitsujisaru (Southwest)-no (of)-Konjin (God of Gold, of Metal and of Retribution), respectively.

The Shinji no Uchu (Cosmos as Revealed by the Kami) provides interesting and often provocative insights into what our cosmos is like.