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as an axis connecting the sun with the earth, which is ever growing longer and consequently thinner, while Hirata interprets it to mean some kind of huge boat, in which the gods went backwards and forwards between the two bodies.[1] He argues that the phrase “this floating region” used of the earth by the celestial gods in commanding Izanagi and Izanami to form and harden it, can only be interpreted on this theory, for if the separation had not taken place the term “floating” could not have been applied to the earth alone. He consequently represents the sun detached, and to the right of the earth above it. The spear (nuboko) which was given to this pair for the purpose of forming the earth is supposed by him to have been of iron in the form of the lingam, and nu, which is interpreted to signify tama, a ball, has a profound signification if this view be adopted.[2] The passage quoted here by Hirata from the Koshi says that “The two gods, setting forth on the ama-no-uki-hashi, pushed down the spear and stirred the plain of the green sea.[3] When they drew it up after stirring it round and round, the drops which fell from its end, spontaneously consolidated and became an island. This was Ono-goro-jima.” This name was given to it on account of its ‘spontaneous consolidation,’ and to distinguish it from the other islands of Japan, which were begotten by Izanagi and Izanami in the ordinary manner. They descended on to this island, and planting the nuboko in the ground point downwards, built a palace round it, taking it for the central pillar which was to support their roof. The point of the spear became the axis of the earth. Onogorojima is identified by the author of the Jindai Kuketsu with a small island at the north-west corner of Awaji in the eastern part of the inland sea, called Ye-shima.[4] Close by is another island called Sekirei shima, (Wagtail island,) and
