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Three Treasures
One day, Amaterasu was weaving clothes for the other gods, when her brother, Susano, flung a flayed horse down into the Hall. His sister was so frightened and angered by her brother that she hid herself in a cave. Because the sun goddess hid from the world, all became darkness, and the other gods came together to decide how to lure Amaterasu out again.
Outside the cave they hung a mirror welded from stars, and jewels in a tree. Amo no Uzume (goddess of the dawn) danced to the delight of everyone. Hearing the laughter and music outside, she peeked forth from the cave. She saw her reflection in the mirror, and was pulled outside, never to hide light from the world again.
One day Susano came down to Izumo and met an old couple in tears beside their daughter. The father explained that he had eight daughters, but seven had been devoured, one each year by a great, eight-headed snake who would soon come for the last girl. Susano offered to kill the serpent if the parents would agree to give the daughter to him in marriage. They agreed and he transformed her into a comb he placed into his hair. He then had eight bowls filled with sake. When the snake finally came, each head drank from a bowl and became drunk, causing the serpent to fall asleep. Taking his chance, he cut the snake to pieces, and inside the tail he discovered a divine sword which he presented to Amaterasu.
Later,
the sword received the name Kusanagi, and became one of the three emblems of
imperial power.
Amaterasu's grandson, Ninigi, was given the jewels and mirror found when she left the cave, and the sword she received from her brother. These gifts would become the three Imperial emblems of Japan. Amaterasu sent Ninigi to earth to rule over the people. Later he married the goddess of flowers, Ko-No-Hana, and had three sons by her. From these sons would come the royal line, from which the emperor of today is descended.
The mirror and jewels Amaterasu found on leaving the cave, plus the sword
Kusanagi, became the three treasures of Japan.
"The mirror reflects from its bright surface every object as it really is,
irrespective of goodness or badness, beauty or the reverse. This is the very
nature of the Mirror, which faithfully symbolizes truthfulness, one of the cardinal
virtues. The jewel signifies soft-heartedness and obedience, so that it becomes a
symbol of benevolence. The sword represents the virtue of strong decision, i.e.
wisdom. Without the combined strengths of these three fundamental virtues,
peace in the realm cannot be expected" (Ross, 74-75).
In Sailor Moon, the three talismans are the deep aqua mirror (held by Neptune),
the space sword (Uranus), and the garnet orb (Pluto). Together they will cause
the Holy Chalice to appear.The three talismans represent the three Imperial powers. The deep aqua
mirror holds the power to reveal, just as denoted in the above quote. The virtues
attatched to the objects, fit the personality of the senshi who possesses that
particular talisman. Also, the Holy Chalice could not appear and give Usagi the
means to keep or bring peace, until the three virtues/talismans were united.
In Blue Seed this story is a backdrop for the anime. Orochi, the eight-headed dragon, appears to Kusanagi (who is named for the sword found inside Orochi) and tells him his existence
is to protect the Kushinada. In the legend, Kushinada was the last daughter saved by Susano, and she was married to him after. In the anime,
the Kushinada is born as twins, Kaede sides ultimately with Susano-oh to have a new Japan reborn, but Momiji sacrifices her life
for humanity. Momiji, Kushinada-hime, lives in Izumo and it is in Izumo where the series lays the final battle between Orochi, Kusanagi,
the Kushinada, and Susano-oh. The character Murakumo gets his name from Murakumo-no-Tsurugi, another name given to the
sword found in the dragon. The three treasures are symbolized in the series as: Kusanagi and Murakumo for the sword (blades from their arms), Kushinada mirror, and the jewels
as the mitama. The Cave of the Sun may be reference to the cave Amaterasu hid in.
On of the Dragons of the Earth in the X film is named Kusanagi.