The Japanese mythology "KOJIKI"

White Rabbit

A few hundred years after the story of Susanoh, there was a boy whose name was Ohnamuchi. He was a great-great-great-grand son of Susanoh and Kushinada.

He had a lot of half-brothers who are called Yaso gods. Since Ohnamuchi was the youngest and smallest among them, he was often teased by his brothers.

One day, Yaso gods got excited when they were talking about a beautiful princess in Inaba. She was Yakami. People said that her beauty was out of the world but she was quite fussy about guys and she hadn't got married yet. One of the Yaso gods proposed to go to her place and ask her to marry one of them.

They thought Yakami might like at least one of them. Other gods also agreed to the plan with saying, "Like!" "Like!" Then they left for Inaba.

Yaso gods

We have better leave Ohnamuchi here, don't we?

Yaso gods

No, you know, we need a porter.

Thus Ohnamuchi had to accompany his brothers.

Ohnamuchi was quite nervous because he had to carry luggage twice as big as himself.

Ohnamuchi

Mmm...I'm so young and haven't considered marriage...What's in it for me?

As he said so, his brothers had already went far ahead. They've laid their own bags for him to carry and moved on smoothly.

Ohnamuchi

Sigh...They will be upset if I don't do it....I must stand.

He shouldered all of the luggage and followed them.

Meanwhile, Yaso gods arrived at Kita cape. They heard someone sobbing. It was a rabbit skinned and covered with its blood.

Yaso gods

Oops! What's this!? Is it a rabbit? Wao! Disgusting!

White rabbit

It hurts....It hurts...

The rabbit was sobbing and shrinking.

Yaso gods started to gather around the rabbit as if they found a new toy.

Yaso gods

That's a pity! I'll give you an advice.

Yaso gods

Yes, we'll tell you how to cure the injury. You can go into the sea and wash your body thoroughly!

Yaso gods

And then go up to the hill and dry your body! Bob's your uncle!

They gave him those advices with sniggering.
If the rabbit was a rational being, he could easily realise what they said was all wrong. However it was quite insane at that time because of the pain. It ended up trusting their words.

White rabbit

Really? Thank you for your kindness!

Yaso gods

Don't mention it. We've got to go. Take care!

After the rabbit saw them off, he went into the sea in a hurry. It was incredibly painful, but he believed their advice and kept on washing himself.

White rabbit

It'll work out when I dry myself on the hill.

Then he went up the hill and dried himself. The pain became worse and worse.

White rabbit

Noooooooooooooooooo!!! It huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurts!!

Yaso gods

Hahahaha!! He did it! What a silly rabbit!

It heard Yaso gods laugh.

White rabbit

Oh my god! They cheated me...They cheated! It hurts. It hurts. It hurts...

It was obvious because it was salt-water.
When the rabbit yelled, Ohnamuchi was passing.

Ohnamuchi

Ow! It's surprising. What'this....? A rabbit....?

The rabbit was surprised as well. But he thought this boy looked more gentle than Yaso gods.

Ohnamuchi

Are you OK? Why are you crying?

His voice was also gentle. The rabbit started trusting him. It told him his story.

White rabbit

Yes...Actually...

Ohnamuchi

Oh! I lost the sight of my brothers again.

Although Ohnamuchi thought he should run and catch up with his brothers, he kindly listened to the rabbit's story.

White rabbit

I lived on Oki island over there. I was keen on going to bigger island...and cheated sharks. I proposed to the sharks, ‘Let's count the number of rabbits on this island and sharks in the sea! I want to know which of them there are more.' ‘Please come into line and I'll count you.' Then I jumped on the sharks and arrived at this beach.

Ohnamuchi

I see. But why did you end up being attacked by the sharks?

White rabbit

To be honest I enjoyed it too much. When I jumped on the last shark, I slipped out, ‘Hey! Don't you realise that? I just cheated you! I just wanted to go another island and used you as a bridge!

Ohnamuchi

Oh my god...

White rabbit

The last shark got outrageous and skinned me.

Ohnamuchi

It sounds hurtful.

White rabbit

After that I came across Yaso gods.

Ohnamuchi

Eh? My brothers?

White rabbit

They told me to wash my body with salt-water and dry it...but it aggravated the pain.

Ohnamuchi

What!? Salt-water!? It's easy to imagine the consequence, isn't it?

Suddenly Ohnamuchi felt guilty, as he found his brothers were involved.

Ohnamuchi

Why the hell did you trust Yaso gods?

Ohnamuchi looked around.

Ohnamuchi

There is a river over there. You can wash off the salt first.

White rabbit

Ah! Thank you!

The rabbit dashed to the river.
Ohnamuchi picked some pollen of cat's-tail and followed him.

Ohnamuchi

Hum..what is the point of teasing such a small rabbit...?

White rabbit

What is this mysterious powder?

Ohnamuchi

It's pollen of cat's-tail. It can stop you bleed. Come here, I'll put it on your body.

He got rid of the salt from the rabbit's body carefully and coated it with the pollen.
The rabbit was covered with the pollen and became white. Ohnamuchi chuckled.

Ohnamuchi

You are a white rabbit again!

The rabbit thanked him again and again.

White rabbit

I really appreciate you. I'll never forget your kindness.

Ohnamuchi

You don't have to. My brothers caused the trouble.

White rabbit

Well...I'll give you an oracle as a token of my appreciation.

White rabbit

All Yaso gods won't be able to marry Yakami. She will choose you.

Ohnamuchi

Eh? Me? Her type must be strange, if she really chooses a kid like me.

White rabbit

Trust me! I'm a good fortune-teller.

The rabbit looked up at Ohnamuchi confidently.

Ohnamuchi

Why didn't he use this miracle power when he cheated the shark...?

Ohnamuchi thought so but didn't mention it.

Ohnamuchi

OK, I'll remember. Take care!

White rabbit

Thank you very much!

The rabbit ran into the forest cheerfully.
He is now enshrined at Hakuto Shrine which means white rabbit shrine.

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