Tokoyo-no-kuni: Unveiling Japan’s Mythical Land of Eternity
In every culture, there lies a deep-seated fascination with what lies beyond the horizon. For the ancient Japanese, looking out over the vast, rhythmic expanse of the ocean, there was a belief not just in an abyss, but in a paradise. This is the concept of Tokoyo-no-kuni (常世の国), the “Land of the Eternal” or the “Everlasting World.” Unlike the dark, subterranean underworld of Yomi, Tokoyo-no-kuni is a realm of light, immortality, and abundance, often believed to exist far beyond the sea.
As travelers and culture enthusiasts, understanding this concept offers a profound window into the Japanese spiritual connection with the ocean, longevity, and the afterlife. Join us as we journey to the boundaries of the known world to explore the eternity of Tokoyo.
The Origins of the Eternal Land
The term Tokoyo essentially translates to “constant world.” In the earliest era of Japanese spirituality, time was viewed differently. While the human world was subject to decay and change, Tokoyo was a utopian mirror—a place where time stood still, and aging was nonexistent.
Anthropologists and folklorists believe the concept originated from ancient coastal communities. For these people, the sea was the source of life (fish/food) but also a mysterious, dangerous expanse. It was natural to assume that the deities who provided such bounty lived in a permanent paradise across the waves. This concept predates organized Buddhism in Japan and forms a core pillar of early Shinto cosmology, sitting alongside Takamagahara (the High Plain of Heaven) and Yomi-no-kuni (the Land of the Dead).
Legends of the Everlasting
The allure of Tokoyo-no-kuni is woven into some of Japan’s most significant myths. It is not just a place for gods, but a destination for heroes seeking treasures that defy mortality.
The Quest for the Timeless Fruit
One of the most poignant stories involves Tajimamori, a legendary hero sent by Emperor Suinin on a perilous journey. The Emperor, nearing the end of his life, desired the “fruit of the everlasting fragrance” (tokijiku no kagu no konomi). Tajimamori set sail for Tokoyo-no-kuni to retrieve it. After ten years of hardship, he returned with the fruit—now identified as the Tachibana (a wild mandarin orange)—only to find the Emperor had already passed away. The fruit, a symbol of eternity, could not beat the clock of the mortal world. Today, Tajimamori is revered as the god of sweets and confections.
The Departure of Sukunahikona
Another famous reference appears in the myth of the creation of the land. Sukunahikona, a diminutive deity of healing and brewing who assisted the great god Okuninushi in forming Japan, eventually left the human realm. He did not die in the traditional sense; rather, he climbed into a millet stalk boat and sailed away to Tokoyo-no-kuni, retiring to the eternal realm after his work was done.
Connections to Urashima Taro
While the popular folktale of Urashima Taro usually refers to the Dragon Palace (Ryugu-jo) under the sea, scholars often draw parallels to Tokoyo. Both represent a realm where time passes differently than on land, and both are accessed via the ocean, reinforcing the sea as the boundary between the mortal and the immortal.
Modern Culture and Symbolism
Although ancient, the pulse of Tokoyo-no-kuni beats in modern Japanese culture. The Tachibana orange, brought from the eternal land, remains a potent symbol of longevity and is frequently used in family crests and cultural patterns. In traditional Japanese aesthetics, the concept of Tokoyo influences the appreciation of things that are unchanging and ancient.
In pop culture, anime and manga often utilize the term to describe spirit worlds or alternate dimensions. It represents a pervasive longing for a place where the sorrows of mortality are washed away. Furthermore, during the Obon festival, when ancestors’ spirits return, they are sometimes thought to be visiting from the “other side”—a concept that blurs the lines between the Buddhist Pure Land and the ancient Tokoyo.
Traveler’s Tips: Finding the Eternal in Japan
While you cannot book a flight to Tokoyo-no-kuni, you can visit sites that celebrate its legend. Here are a few spiritual stops for your itinerary:
- Nakashima Shrine (Hyogo Prefecture): This shrine is dedicated to Tajimamori. It is a pilgrimage site for those in the confectionary industry, but also a quiet, beautiful spot to reflect on the myth of the timeless fruit.
- The Kumano Kodo (Wakayama Prefecture): The southern coast of the Kii Peninsula was historically considered the gateway to the Pure Land and Tokoyo. The Fudaraku-ji Temple specifically has a history involving monks who set sail in small boats hoping to reach the southern paradise.
- Oarai Isosaki Shrine (Ibaraki Prefecture): Famous for its Kamiiso-no-Torii gate standing on rocks in the Pacific Ocean, this spot visually captures the worship of deities arriving from beyond the horizon.
Sources & Further Reading
For those wishing to delve deeper into the primary texts regarding Japanese mythology and the concept of the Otherworld, the following historical records are essential:
- The Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters): Japan’s oldest chronicle, detailing the departure of Sukunahikona.
- The Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan): Contains the detailed account of Tajimamori’s quest for the tachibana fruit.
- Manyoshu: Japan’s oldest poetry anthology, which contains verses longing for the eternal land.