Hotsuma Tsutae

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Hotsuma Tsutae (also Hotuma Tsutaye or Hotuma Tsutahe, Japanese:秀真伝) is an elaborate epic of Japanese mythical history whose description is substantially different from the mainstream version as recorded in the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki or Nihongi.

The Hotsuma Tsutae is known for its beautiful text and perfect rhythm. It contends that Amaterasu, the sun deity of Shinto, was male, and not female, as is commonly believed.

Although many proponents allege that the origin of the Hotsuma precedes the mainstream mythology, the book was first published (dedicated to a shrine) by Waniko Yasutoshi (also known as Yunoshin Ibo) in 1775.

Some scholars think this epic was written in the Edo period. This is due to claims that the text was written in an original Japanese alphabet (Jindai moji) - in academic circles, the existence of writing in Japan before the use of Chinese characters is denied. The opinion that it is a false document is a general opinion. However, no definitive conclusion has yet been reached.