A Tale for the Time Being: Crows and Japanese Mythology.

     Throughout A Tale for the Time Being there has been a guardian or guiding force over the journal. A jungle crow. The jungle crow is remarked upon frequently within Ruth's exploration of Nao's novel and Nao's life. Muriel and other visitors remark upon the crow, discussing that its presence is something possibly supernatural. The crows in the novel are an important symbol, creating a link between Nao and Ruth, Japan and Whaletown, and the supernatural and natural.

    The crow acts as a guide between two worlds. Muriel remarks in the last third of the book "My theory is that this crow from Nao's world came here to lead you into the dream so you could change the end of her story. Her story was about to end one way, and you intervened, which set up the conditions for a different outcome." The jungle crow, a non-indigenous species appearing with Nao's journal, is a species from Japan that has wandered its way to North America. The crow's presence is unyielding and patient. It guides Ruth not only in her dreams but also in reality (for example when the crow drops the walnut on the deck to reveal Pesto). These incidents are not merely coincidences and reflect the crow's significance in Japanese mythology. 

    Yatagarasu or the "eight-span crow" "the great bird" or the "three-legged bird," in Japanese mythology is a divine guiding presence. If a crow were to interfere within mortal affairs it was said to be an act of divine intervention. Additionally, Yatagarasu was said to be an incarnation of the sun goddess Amaterasu (which is one of the highest ranking deities in Shinto belief). The Yatagarasu spirit was a deity that often rulers looked toward for guidance. It is said to have guided Emperor Jinmu to establish the city Kashihara in Nara prefecture.  The symbol of the crow was popular in Shinto and Edo art, yet around the 1800s, the symbol became less popular as other religions outside of Shinto became more popular. Yatagarasu is often depicted as a large bird spanning about eight feet. It has three legs said to represent a connection between heaven, earth, and mankind Shinto belief, the number three was also representative of the sun and good luck. Interestingly, Chinese and Korean mythology also feature great birds with three feet. Although these religions treat the bird as a messenger of the gods and not a deity itself. It is likely that Yatagarasu got its extra leg as the East Asian continents began to trade stories.

    The characters in Ozeki's novel remark upon the bird's cultural significance. However, Ruth being connected and guided by the Jungle Crow also connects Ruth to emperors, kings, and legends. Personally, I don't believe the Jungle Crow is just connecting Nao and Ruth across time and space. I believe the Crow, being a heavenly being, is also connecting Ruth to her late mother Masako. Creating a bridge for Ruth between the past, present, and future. 


(read more about the jungle crow yokai here)

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