天のウズメ – Ama no Uzume

Ama no Uzume, also known as Uzume of Heaven, is the goddess of entertainment in Japanese mythology, prominently featured in the legend of Iwatogakure. The following is written about Iwatogakure.

– Amaterasu, the sun goddess, could no longer tolerate the violent behavior of her brother Susanoo. In response, she withdrew into Ama no Iwato, or the “heaven’s rock cave,” plunging the world into darkness and chaos. To coax Amaterasu out of her seclusion and restore light to the world, Uzume of Heaven performed a spirited dance, even stripping naked, which caused the gathered gods to erupt in laughter. Curious about the commotion, Amaterasu peeked out from the cave, only to be pulled out by the other deities, thus returning light and order to the world. –

「岩戸隠れ」の伝説などに登場する芸能の女神。日本神話には「岩戸隠れ」についてこう書かれている。「太陽の神、天照大神（アマテラスオオミカミ）がスサノオの粗暴に耐えかねて天岩戸に隠れてしまった。すると世界が暗闇に包まれ、さまざまな禍（まが）が発生した。天のウズメは裸で踊って数えきれないほどたくさんの神々を笑わせた。天照大神が騒ぎの様子を見ようと岩戸を開いた時、神々に引き出されて世界に光と秩序が戻った。」