These are 2 slightly different versions of the Tajkaro mask, one with a moustache, one without. He appears in the Iwato story, wherein Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess, has hidden herself away inside a cave.
The kami try various ways to get her to come out until finally Uzume does a striptease that causes the gathered kami to roar with laughter. Amaterasu peeks out to see what the fuss is about and Tajikarao grabs her and pulls her out of the cave.
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My understanding is that Tajikarao, before pulling out Amaterasu, opens the rock door and throws it, which required big power. "Jikara" of "Tajikarao" means "power". A story made later (in Heian era?) goes that the thrown door reached Togakushi Jinja in Shinanonokuni (currently Nagano Prefecture). "Togakushi" means "hide door". BTW Shinanokuni plays an important role in myth. Takeminakata, defeated by Takemikaduchi, fled to Shinanonokuni and founded Suwa Taisha.
ReplyDeleteFor Togakushi Jinja, see
http://www.geocities.jp/amenotajikaraonomikoto/sitemap/shinto_map/togakushi_pictures.html
URL was truncated. Here is the complete link:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.geocities.jp/amenotajikaraonomikoto/sitemap/shinto_map/togakushi_pictures.html