KAMIYO Episode 10: Toyokumono-no-Kami — The Dance of the Sky

Prologue: The Ceiling of Void

The earth built by Kuninotokotachi-no-Kami boasted a rugged, absolute stability. The world, once a sea of mud, had become solid bedrock, sketching an endless horizon. It would no longer crumble; it would no longer drift.

However, above it, there was nothing but "Null."

Looking up, one saw only a pitch-black abyss where even the twinkling of stars seemed distant. Between the earth and the heavens, there was no air, no wind, not even a medium to carry sound. It was a vacuum prison ruled by a deathly silence.

The immovable earth was complete. Yet, it was merely a colossal block of rock that simply "existed."

There was no air to breathe, no water to bring moisture, no clouds to hide within.

In this dry wasteland, would the breath of life ever take hold? The void, with its oppressive silence, threatened to crush the newborn earth.

Chapter 1: The Silvery Omen

In a corner of that freezing silence, something suddenly wavered.

A "ripple" appeared in the vacuum space where nothing should have been.

It was a single streak of silver light that appeared without sound.

The light was as fleeting as smoke, yet it began to dance freely through the void. Right to left, up and down, as if searching for something. Its movement, mocking the shackles of gravity, possessed a softness and lightness that stood in stark contrast to the rigid stoicism of Kuninotokotachi.

"Hmph... Is this the place?"

A resonance resembling a "voice" fell into the void for the first time. It sounded like the wind, yet also like the timbre of a harp.

This whisper, echoing in a space where no one yet existed, shook the dry air as a harbinger of a new era to come.

Chapter 2: The Manifestation of Toyokumono

The silver light converged into a single point, releasing a dazzling brilliance.

From within the light emerged a god of supreme elegance.

Possessing translucent skin, the deity wore a white Suikan (robe) that flowed like water, embroidered with silver threads depicting billowing clouds. Long, beautiful hair swayed gently though there was no wind, and the god’s feet floated a few inches in the air, never touching the ground.

The Second Generation of the Kamiyo-nanayo (The Seven Divine Generations).

The name is Toyokumono-no-Kami.

The god slowly opened closed eyes. Reflected in those pupils were the distant cosmos and the clear blue of the atmosphere yet to be born.

"I am Toyokumono. I dwell between heaven and earth, the one who connects the abundant clouds and the fields."

The declaration was not a thunderous roar like that of Kuninotokotachi. It was like a gentle breeze stroking a spring field—softly, but surely permeating every corner of the world.

Distinct from the abstract existence of the Kotoamatsukami (Separate Heavenly Deities) and the rock-like reality of Kuninotokotachi, a god as free as "gas," knowing no bindings, was born.

Chapter 3: Compassion for the Lonely Earth

Toyokumono remained floating in the air, looking down at the vast earth spread out below.

There lay the magnificent "foundation" created by Kuninotokotachi, who was like an elder brother who had carved out his own soul to build it.

"Oh, so this is the earth created by Kuninotokotachi..."

The god’s eyes sparkled with interest, twirling in the air like an innocent child. The ornaments on the crown made a cool, jingling sound.

However, the expression soon clouded over.

The earth was too rugged, and far too quiet. The rock surface was exposed, lacking color, and somehow desolate.

"How quiet, and how sorrowful..."

Toyokumono, possessing a free soul, looked upon the immovable earth and felt the emotion of "loneliness" for the first time as a god.

The solitude of simply existing. The sorrow of strength with nothing to nestle against.

The god lowered altitude softly and gently reached out a hand toward the dry ground.

"It needs raiment. A soft garment to wrap this naked earth."

Chapter 4: Heaven's Raiment, Birth of Clouds

Toyokumono soared high into the sky again, spreading both arms wide toward the heavens.

The figure resembled an unseen conductor, or perhaps a shrine maiden offering prayers to the sky.

"Come forth! Messengers who carry the waters of heaven and moisten the earth!"

Silver particles burst forth from the god's entire being.

They gathered the faint vapors rising from the fissures of the earth, condensing them and giving them form.

In the space that had been void, masses of white, like cotton—or silk floss—began to be born one after another.

Clouds.

It was the moment the first "clouds" in the world were born.

They swirled happily around Toyokumono, eventually spreading out into the sky.

White, soft accents were added to the bleak sky. The clouds softened the sunlight, foretold of rain, and became a "bridge" filling the overwhelming distance between heaven and earth.

The god beamed with the joy of creation, satisfied with the result.

Chapter 5: The Breath of Abundance

"Clouds for the heavens. Then, blessings for the earth."

Toyokumono moved to the next creation.

Descending until barely grazing the ground, the god gently blew a breath onto the rocky earth. Fuu...

That breath contained moisture to nurture life and a warm "Yang" energy to make all things grow.

A miracle occurred where the god's breath touched.

A pale green light ran across the brown surface. From the crevices of rocks, from the surface of the soil, sprouts of nameless grasses burst forth all at once.

"And now, the Fields. The rich carpet of green that grows receiving the blessings of the clouds!"

The name implies "Toyo" (Abundant), "Kumo" (Cloud), and "No" (Field).

True to the name, the wasteland was covered in green before one's eyes. It was still primitive moss and grass, but it was a historic turning point where "organic" richness was brought to an inorganic world.

Chapter 6: The Waltz of the Wind

"Not yet, it is not enough. It must not stand still."

The clouds floated, and the grass grew. But they remained static, like a painting.

Toyokumono smiled and stepped into a dance in mid-air.

The movements were elegant and uninhibited. With every wave of the sleeves, the air was stirred, creating invisible currents.

"Wind, dance! Thou art my partner in this waltz!"

In time with the god's dance, "Wind" was born into the world.

The wind pushed the clouds, beginning to write stories in the sky.

The wind raced across the ground, gently swaying the green grasses.

Rustle, rustle... The sound of grass rubbing together echoed through the world. It was the first music the earth had ever played.

"Connect the clouds and the fields, and give breath to life!"

The god ascended while spinning like a top.

Riding that updraft, the moisture of the ground was carried to the sky, and the cold air of the sky descended to the earth. Atmospheric circulation—the weather system—was completed here.

The silent world had finally begun to take a deep breath.

Chapter 7: Harmony, and the Eternal Melody

Toyokumono paused at the height of the sky, surveying the scene below.

White clouds flowed in the blue sky, and green fields rippled in the wind on the earth.

It was the figure of a world transformed from a desolate rockscape into a cradle nurturing life.

"Beautiful..."

The god let out a long sigh of admiration.

"This is true abundance. The hard earth and the soft atmosphere. The eternal melody woven by heaven and earth."

Into the "Container" made by Kuninotokotachi, Toyokumono had poured the "Content."

Through the work of these two solitary gods, the world had perfectly prepared its function as a dwelling place.

Chapter 8: The Path to Form

With the completed world of clouds and fields behind, Toyokumono gazed at the distant horizon.

There lay signs of a new light yet unseen.

The god who governed the fluid atmosphere realized that this role had reached a conclusion.

With silver hair fluttering in the wind, the god whispered with an expression full of anticipation.

"The clouds and fields are ready. But this world still lacks life with 'fixed form.' The vessel is full. Next gods, you who rise from the mud to take shape, it is your turn."

The age of the Hitorigami (Solitary Gods) was ending its time of purest creation with these two pillars.

Next, a process leading to more concrete forms—mud and sand, man and woman—would be needed.

Toyokumono rode the wind created by the dance, floating lightly away into the beyond of the sky.

The figure gradually faded, melting into the white clouds.

However, the god did not vanish.

Looking up at the sky, there are clouds; feeling the cheek, there is wind; at the feet, there is green. Toyokumono breathes within all of them.

Thus, a rich space was born between heaven and earth.

The stage is set, and the myth turns its page to the next creation.