The Beginning of Heaven and Earth: The Sacred Book of Japan's Hidden Christians

1. The Beginning of Heaven and Earth

39 1. The Beginning of Heaven and Earth1 In the beginning Deusu was worshiped as Lord of Heaven and Earth, and Parent of humankind and all creation.2 Deusu has two hundred ranks and forty-two forms,3 and divided the light that was originally one, and made the Sun Heaven, and twelve other heavens. The names of these heavens are Benbò or Hell, Manbò, Oribeten, Shidai, Godai, Pappa, Oroha, Konsutanchi, Hora, Koroteru , and a hundred thousand Paraiso and Gokuraku.4 Deusu then created the sun, the moon, and the stars, and called into being tens of thousands of anjo just by thinking of them. One of them, Jusuheru, the head of seven anjo,5 has a hundred ranks and thirty-two forms. Deusu is the one who made all things: earth, water, fire, wind, salt, oil,6 and put in his own flesh and bones. Without pause Deusu worked on the Shikuda, Terusha, Kuwaruta, Kinta, Sesuta, and Sabata.7 Then on the seventh day Deusu blew breath into this being and named him Domeigosu-noAdan , who possessed thirty-three forms. So this is the usual number of forms for a human being.8 For this reason the seventh day of one cycle is observed as a feast day. Deusu then made a woman and called her Domeigosu-noEwa ,9 had the man and woman marry, and gave them the realm called Koroteru. There they bore a son and daughter, Chikorò and Tanhò,10 and went every day to Paraiso to worship Deusu. One day while Deusu was away, Jusuheru seized the opportu- 40 The Beginning of Heaven and Earth nity to deceive the anjo and said, “As I’m also like Deusu, worship me from now on.” Hearing this, the anjo worshiped him saying, “Ah, behold, behold!” Ewa and Adan then asked, “Isn’t Deusu here?” But Jusuheru replied swiftly saying, “The Lord is in heaven, but because I am like Deusu, tens of thousands of anjo revere me. Therefore, Ewa and Adan, you too worship me—Jusuheru!” Ewa and Adan listened and discussed the matter between themselves scrupling, “But we are supposed to worship Deusu.” Just at that moment Deusu, descending from on high, came to that very spot where they were discussing the issue. The anjo who had worshiped Jusuheru, and Ewa and Adan, were all startled by Deusu’s sudden apparition. They clasped their hands, and bowed their heads until they touched the ground. In acknowledgment of their error they demonstrated their remorse by offering the Konchirisan .11 Deusu then spoke, saying, “Even if you should worship Jusuheru , don’t ever eat the fruit of the masan.”12 And turning to Ewa and Adan, “If you bring your children to me, I will give them auspicious names.” Having heard Deusu’s most merciful words, everyone returned home together. But Jusuheru, after he heard all this, rushed ahead to Koroteru with the sole intention of deceiving Ewa and Adan. Along the way, he got hold of the fruit of the forbidden masan, and went to Ewa and Adan’s home. “Where’s Adan?” he asked, and Ewa answered, “He’s out just now guarding the gate of Paraiso.” Jusuheru continued, “I am Deusu’s messenger. Because it is Deusu’s will to bestow lucky names on your children, hurry and send them to Deusu.” Ewa listened and believed. “Thank you for taking the trouble to come all this way to tell me that,” she said, and paused fascinated. “And by the way, what is that medicine you are holding?” “Oh, this,” said Jusuheru. “It’s the fruit of the masan.” Ewa was surprised and said, “But I hear that fruit is against our law here in Paraiso. Is it permissible to eat of it?” Jusuheru, answering with a patent lie, said, “The fruit of the masan is some- Translation 41 thing that belongs to Deusu and to me, Jusuheru.” He then added, “It is forbidden because whoever eats it will then obtain the same rank as Deusu.” Ewa listened and asked, “Is that really true?” Then Jusuheru, triumphing over Ewa’s doubts, handed her the fruit of the masan. “Eat this if you please, my good woman,”13 he said encouraging her, “and obtain the same rank as I, Jusuheru.” Ewa felt glad as she took the fruit in her hands. With both hands she raised the masan above her head in a sign of...