Izanami/ Izanaki - first man and woman  (Adam and Eve of Japan)                                                                          In the beginning was only water. The stars stirred the waters and the first man and woman was born.  They joined and gave birth to the wind, flowers, trees, and the world, but when Izanagi gave birth to fire, she was burnt to death.  Thus commenced the Orpheus-like tale of descent into hell.  Izanami followed her into the underworld to bring her back but like Orpheus he looked back too soon and she was sucked back into the darkness.  She became the symbol of death and he, the symbol of life. Creation of Life Birth of Fire Rhumba of the Underworld Fields of Home
	Ameno Uzume (The Dancing Goddess)                                                                          When the sun goddess hid behind the rocks and the world was in darkness and terror reigned, Ameno Uzume got up to dance.  Her dance was so open and free that the people forgot their fears and started to laugh and smile.  She symoblized the liberation and freedom we all desire.  Her dance brought hope and laughter into the hearts of mankind, thus bringing the light into this world of darkness. The Beginning     Emergence   Bardo - disappearance of the sun    Rhumba of the Black Sun   Light
	photo by Youichi Kukuminato