Amaterasu and the Cave

The goal of this project was to gain a better understanding of the processes and challenges involved in creating/illustrating children’s media through experience. I was to research what it takes to reach publication in this field while fully illustrating several pages of a would-be children’s book. Rather than spend a chunk of the semester writing and editing my own story, I decided to adapt an existing myth.

The Shinto legend of Amaterasu and the Cave is one where the sun goddess, or kami, falls into a deep melancholy, feeling as though she cannot meet the expectations of her otherworldly duties after her brother beat her in a contest to prove just that. And so, having decided the world would be better off without her, she goes to sulk in a cave. This, of course, throws the Earth and heavens into turmoil, as without her there is no sun in the sky. The meat of the myth is a three-part-act where all the kami take turns trying to either lure her, deceive her, or cheer her out of the cave. Only the dawn goddess is eventually successful when she hosts a giant dance and celebration in Amaterasu’s honor.

The memorable and rhythmic narrative of this story struck me as a perfect tale for children. In fact, the child-like mopiness of Amaterasu, the immature self-centeredness of her brother, and the naïve antics of the other kami, inspired me to depict the kami as children themselves. Through this lens, the story takes on a much more relatable meaning; about gloomy days, self-worth, isolation, and friendship. In a completed form, I would hope it teaches kids that they’re always someone’s sunshine.