as scribed by Storyteller Sun Rin (Renee Booke)
In the beginning, when the Gods created the world, things were very happy. Islands blossomed from the sea and the song of roosters coaxed the sun Goddess from hiding so that she might shine her light upon all the world. Ox, Tiger, and Rabbit lived together in harmony, and heaven and earth were connected together in sacred balance.
Upon the earth, there was a shining river, one so pure and full of life that it is said happiness sprang from its every drop, and joy from every branch. This river carried all of its luck and good fortune through the world, and the harmony that all creatures enjoyed was nurtured by its blessed waters.
There was one part of the river that was different, however. One tributary where the waters were dark and murky. This water was tainted with evils yet unknown to utopia: Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy and Pride. Sins of wickedness and extremes that had no place in a world of peace and tranquility. It was because of this corruption and malice in the water that this part of the river had been cut off and dammed, forcing its influence to remain separate from the water of the shining river.
Most of the creatures avoided the dam and the dark lake that sprang up behind it. But other creatures, like Tanuki and Monkey, were more adventurous. One day the two had met up to play and Tanuki gave a heavy sigh. “Oh Monkey,” he said, “I found the most perfect stone for my collection, but I am too tired to go and fetch it myself. Will you help me? I will give you this melon in exchange.” Tanuki held the fruit aloft trying to hide his mischievous grin as he did so. For you see, Tanuki had used his shape-shifting magic to make a rock look like a melon, nothing more, and Monkey had no reason to distrust his friend.
“I will fetch this stone for you, Tanuki. Point it out to me,” Monkey said, waiting for his friend’s guidance.
Tanuki pointed his finger out over the dark water towards the dam holding it in place and Monkey expertly climbed out over the difficult terrain, pulling free one of the stones that made up the barricade.
“Is this one it?” Monkey called, holding the stone up in the air and waving it around.
“No, no. That isn’t the one! Try the next one over,” Tanuki answered.
Monkey tossed the rock aside and did as he was told, grabbing the next stone that he could find. “Is this the stone?”
“It isn’t that one either! I meant the next one over on the other side!” Tanuki tried not to laugh at his own joke, hoping that later Monkey would be laughing alongside him.
The two went back and forth several times, with Tanuki continuing to deny that Monkey had grabbed the right rock. Monkey was starting to get upset over how long this was taking when he noticed a small trickle in the dam. Some of the dark water was starting to escape through the holes he had made in the wall. “We had best hurry, Tanuki. I don’t think we should take any more rocks!” he called out.
But Tanuki loved to laugh. He didn’t want the joke to end just yet. “Mmmm,” he shouted back very loudly. “This melon smells soooo good. I should hate to end up eating it myself without you.”
Monkey grumbled and got back to work, pulling free the next stone that he thought Tanuki would want. That was when the remaining stones began to shift and tumble beneath his paws. Monkey cried out and began to run as rock after rock was pushed aside and the forceful water hungrily gnawed upon the barricade that had kept it at bay for so long. What was an idle leak became a gushing current, and the dark water came surging forth to meet the shining river.
The two ran as fast as they could, but even they could not escape the results of their mischief. The shining river was forever tainted, and shadows began to walk where once there was only light. As the two rivers combined into one, it is said that the wickedness of the sinful lake combined with the power of the river gave birth to the Oni and the world was forced to find new balance.
The two rivers could never be untangled, and what was done was done. Those who knew the beauty of what the world once was began to hold constant vigil, fighting to keep the land as pure as they could. Things could not go back to the way they were… but they could always get worse, and that was the new truth that all souls came to live by.