December: Tokoyo

[Aylarah Scale]

Discuss your thoughts and feelings about the story of Tokoyo. Did you enjoy the story? What has been your favourite myth out of all the ones you have researched and why? As usual, try to give a good paragraph on it, instead of a one-liner (so about 4 sentences at least).

[Catriona Watson]

I think that Tokoyo story is the most touching story of all the myths that I have read about. It is a story of bravery and determination, truly a heroic of that time. There is also an act of kindness and love for her father that saved the lives of the Emperor and her father. The story has a happy ending which gives credit to Tokoyo for her outstanding courage and never give up ever trying to do what is right. And doing the right thing and making the right choices saves lives and that makes all the difference

[Cheyenne Wyatt]

I think Tokoyo was a great myth, demonstrating the bond between a father and daughter. It was also probably my favorite. Tokoyo was so brave and loving, and when stuck by passion, she could still keep her head. My favorite moment was when she stopped herself from destroying the statue of the emperor and instead brought it to the surface. If she had destoryed the statue, she and her father might never have been reunited. I wonder, though, who made the sacrifice? Or did they forgo the sacrifice that year? The priest seemed different in attitude towards Tokoyo before and after she dove off the cliff.

[Ardeliah Longbottom]

I liked Tokoyo. It is rare to find a story or myth where the female lead character is a good guy. Usually they are evil witches or become evil or do something evil. I love that she is a strong character fighting for what is right. Without resorting to hurting the innocent. I wish there were more strong female leads that weren't portrayed as female dogs.

[Niniel Sanders]

I like this myth a lot and I quite agree with what has been mentioned previously that the message that you can do good and that in the end it will be better than not doing good is a good one.

I couldn't quite resist putting "And they lived happily ever after" at the end of the story for it seems almost like a fairytale with the typical need to leave home to retrieve or find something, and the overcoming of some trial and the eventual returning to the home. Those are classical fairy tale occurances and they happen in this tale too.

I think this is probably actually my favourite story of the ones we've researched though I have to say I do not much like to research stories and retell them.

[Mene Moonplanet]

I really liked this myth, I think this is my favourite. The reason is that a human girl plays the most important part in the story, and she has a good motivation to do the things she does. The gods in the other myths do act a bit egoistic sometime, but Tokoyo sets a goal for herself, which is saving her father (or rather, to be reunited with her father, so they can both be happy). I do wonder about the depth of the ocean or if she found an air bubble under water - holding your breath so long that you can find a cave, find a statue, bind the statue to yourself, fight a water serpent demon and kill it, is quite unusual for a human to be able to do. But that's probably mytho-logic (^-^)

[Castora Grimsby]

The post above is mine. I forgot to log in, and I don't know how to fix it, so I'l copy and paste my answer and hope you can erase the other post?

I did enjoy the story of Tokoyo. Its not my favorite story of all time, but it had some really good elements. I appreciated her dedication to her family. I think i would be the same way, and search for my family no matter how hard or how many obstacles I had to come up against. I aso like that she took on the serpent without fear. I think it was fitting that by sacrificing herself, she was able to save her father and her happiness!

So far the myth I have enjoyed the most was of Urashima. His humanity and love of creatures benefited him immensely and I find that message enchanting.

[Annie Chandran]

I really enjoyed this story. Being honest I think it was my favourite out of all of the ones that I've researched.

It had lots of variation in the emotion and basically it was the story of a brave heroine. That's something you don't see often in mythology. A young girl trying to be reunited with her father? I found that a really beautiful plot. And it was a fun story to read, not too much angst, not too much happy.