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Rain Gods of Japan: How the Culture Shifted in the Edo Period
By: Tanaka Fuyuki
Before the Edo Period, there was only one rain god consistently. However, afterwards, there were two; an odd fact, once you consider that the second god seemed to spring up out of nowhere. And almost overnight, the shrines that were built for the first rain god “had another statute,” (Suzuki, 2018).
More interesting is the fact that around the same time, there was very heavy rainfall, resulting in a whole village being drowned— there were even some skeletons found that indicated a murder.
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There are many conclusions that you can draw from the evidence provided. However, it is very clear that there were (and, if you believe in Shinto still, there are) two rain gods within Japan, and that this rippled out to the rest of the polytheistic world.
Dissenters do exist, of course, believing that there is only one god of rain and that the other is a hoax.
I am a scholar; I believe in facts. And the facts are that there is clear evidence of two.
Letter from Unknown to Unknown, dated around the Edo Period; written on paper with ink. Shown in the Tokyo Museum.
My dearest,
It has been too long since we have seen each other. And perhaps I’m being too sappy, because we’ve been apart for only a few days, but I well and truly miss you being in my arms. I miss kissing your shoulders, your skin. I miss you, my love, and I long for the day you can come back to me.
You are my sun and stars, and you are my world. I would simply do anything for you, anything that you asked.
So won’t you come home to me soon?
Love, won’t you please come home to me?
I miss you.
“Odasaku,” Dazai murmurs, kissing his lover’s nose. “What are you thinking about?”
It’s sprinkling, rain landing in little drops outside their home. Of course it is, because they are happy.
“You.” It’s an easy reply, soft and quick as he scoops them up into his arms, presses kisses everywhere he can reach. “Always you.”
“What a sap ,” He breathes out, winding his arms around Oda’s waist. “You’re such a sap.”
“Can’t I be?”
“You can, I just…” There’s a lazy laugh that bursts from Dazai’s chest as his husband brushes a hand along their stomach, along the scar there. “Odasaku, what’s with you, hm? You’re more clingy than usual.”
Oda makes a noise, grumbling and soft as he kisses their nose, their shoulders, mapping every scar with a kiss. “Tomorrow’s the…” He trails off, squeezing Dazai impossibly close. “You–”
A half-growling sort of noise, as he nips at their throat and shoulder, their cheek too. “‘Samu…”
“ Odasaku ,” Dazai rolls his eyes adoringly, tugging at his beloved’s hair. “Odasaku, I am fine . You’re so…you’re so protective. I’m okay.”
“Can’t I want…?” A lazy huff. “Can’t I just want to stay by you today? Tomorrow too?”
Dazai laughs again, and it is permission and adoration all at once, and Oda thinks it is the prettiest thing in the world, his beloved’s laugh. It sounds like the clattering of bells, and—
Wow.
Even after all these centuries, after all these years, Oda will never ever get tired of his beloved. Not once, not ever .
“I love you, Osamu. I’d do anything at all for you.”
“You literally–” A little laugh. “You literally murdered a man—”
Oda kisses his neck, correcting him easily. “Multiple. And I drowned your village– those assholes ,” He grumbles out, ignoring the way the rain clatters down harder; and, as Dazai drags him into a kiss, the rain proceeds to vanish completely.
“Shut up, pretty boy,” Dazai murmurs, kissing him again and again and again, and Oda grins dazedly and so absolutely in love. “And kiss me until neither of us can think.”
And Oda, a man– a god –so well and truly in love with Dazai Osamu, can only nod and lower him to their bed, pressing kisses everywhere he can reach.