This is a text-based "choice" adventure, where various choices determine your outcome. The setting is Japan, and pulls heavily from Japanese Mythology. Choices are not guaranteed to end in success, and how long the story goes on is dependent on what choices are made.
You are on old man. A bamboo cutter, to be precise. You wife is ill, and you have to not only work but take care of her in her frail health. You have no children to help you, but life has been simple and good thus far. But today, on your way to work, something is... different.
Click [[Continue|1]] to progress to the next part of the story.<img src="https://i.imgur.com/exoXnsP.jpg" width="400" height="300">
You are an old man walking down a dirt path in Japan. You are on your way to work when you notice the path you are on branches in two directions. For over thirty years, you have walked this path and there has never been a fork in the road. You have a decision to make: go right, down the path you normally take, or left, down the new and mysterious path.
Head to the [[right|2A]] in the direction of your work
''OR''
Head to the [[left|2B]] to see where this new path leads<img src="https://i.imgur.com/6plh0Rx.jpg" width="400" height="300">
Although the new path was intriguing, you had to get to work and your boss would be very angry with you if you were not on time. You head to the forest to begin working as a bamboo cutter. The forest is dense with bamboo and you must choose whether to cut from the densest portion or the thinnest.
Cut from the [[densest|3A]] portion of the bamboo "forest"
''OR''
Cut from the [[thinnest|3B]] portion of the bamboo "forest"You start along this new path and find that it is very similar to the one you follow every day. You think you see a large mountain in the distance You walk for miles until you see anything of interest. You come across a strange stone protruding from the ground. The stone is covered in text that you cannot interpret. This is Japanese but you have never seen these words before. What do you do?
[[Search for a tree that supplies shade from the burning heat|3C]]
''OR''
[[Search for a river, stream, or some source of potable water|VID1]]
''OR''
[[Continue on the path|3F]]You decide to power your way through the forest. The dense bamboo is quite a workout and tires you quickly. You knew that this day would eventually come. You are too old to continue working and you must head home. You must find a way to tell your wife that you can no longer provide for the family. You have no children to support you.
[[Continue|4A]]The thin bamboo is easier to work through. You clear up large areas of the forest in a relatively short period of time. Eventually, you cut a stalk of bamboo and notice something inside. You find a baby girl, barely larger than your thumb, resting inside of the stalk of bamboo. You cannot believe your eyes. Do you: Take the child home with you, or ignore the tiny, fragile, defensless child. You are obviously hallucinating, right? RIGHT???
[[Take the adorable little hallucination home|4B]]
''OR''
[[Tell yourself to stop being insane and leave it be|4C]]You walk over to your boss and let him know that you can no longer work today. He is furious and begins to walk away. You follow after him, trying to explain yourself. You mention how the bamboo was extremely dense and that you would be ready to work again in a couple of days. Your boss ignores you and continues on. Eventually, your boss tells you to go home and not return.
[[Continue|5A]]You return home to your wife. She has been sick for many days and her condition is deteriorating. You make her a bowl of soup and try to find a way to let her know that you have been fired. She wakes as you open the door to the bedroom. She is surprised to see you and her face lightens. You give her the bowl of soup and give her the bad news.You decide to take this small, frail child home with you under your protection. Although it seems impossible, this baby girl is real. You find your boss and show him the child you find. He lets you return home for the day to bring the child to a safe place. You are thrilled to raise a child since you and your wife never had children. Once you get home, you show your wife the baby girl and she is amazed and thrilled. She is sick but the sight of the child gives her strength.
[[Continue|5B]]You have seen some incredible things in your long life, but a child the size of your thumb in a stalk of bamboo is too much for you to handle. You cannot bring yourself to believe that this girl is any more than a figment of your imagination. You continue on, working your way through the bamboo forest. You decide not to tell anyone about your encounter, fearing that they would think you are crazy and unable to function properly anymore.
[[Continue|5E]]You raise the girl as your own and she grows to become a beautiful, full-sized woman. You name her Kaguya-hime. Ever since you found your baby girl, strange things have started to occur. Every piece of bamboo you cut open contains a small nugget of gold. Eventually you build up a small fortune. You have enough money to nurse your wife back to health and support your family comfortably.
(if: (either: 0,1) is 0)[[[Continue|6A]]]
(else:)[[[Continue|6C]]]Eventually, word gets out about the indescribable beauty of your daughter. Kaguya-hime is pursued by five princes who ask for her hand in marriage. Kaguya-hime decides that in order to choose who to marry, she will develop a test for them. These tests are impossible to complete successfully. One of the princes dies on his journey while three of the others attempt to trick Kaguya-hime. The final prince gives up on his journey, knowing that it is a lost cause.
[[Continue|7A]]One day, the Emperor of Japan himself hears of Kaguya-hime and comes to marry your daughter. This time, Kaguya-hime does not make the Emperor try to pass a test. She tells the Emperor no, but you can tell that your daughter is fond of him. As the days pass you notice your daughter outside often, staring at the moon. She tears up whenever she sees it, and it worries you that your daughter is distraught so.
[[Continue|8A]]You find out that Kaguya-hime is from the moon and she is ready to return to her true home. Before she leaves, she writes a note to you and your wife apologizing and leaves an elixir of life for the Emperor. He is torn to pieces and orders that the Elixir is taken to the point in Japan closest to the heavens and burned. This mountain is Mount Fuji.After countless miles of walking, you are worn out. You see a large tree with plenty of shade over to the left. You decide that it wouldn’t hurt to go lay down and take a break. Eventually, you fall asleep and start to dream about the gods. You dream of Izanami and Izanagi, the creation gods. In your dream, what do Izanami and Izanagi do?
[[Unite and have a child|4F]]
''OR''
[[Stay separated|4I]]<img src="https://i.imgur.com/C576Sdf.jpg" width="400" height="300">
You hear the sound of rushing water in the distance, and soon stumble upon a magnificent waterfall. You have begun to dream about wandering around a waterfall, you begin walking towards the waterfall to get a better look. You suddenly see a small bright orange koi trying to jump up the massive waterfall. Confused you run to get a closer look and suddenly see a massive group of koi underneath the waterfall. After the long treck, you *are* rather hungry...
[[Catch some koi and get yourself a big meal|4G]]
''OR''
[[Help the koi to the top of the waterfall.|4H]]<img src="https://i.imgur.com/6QIhCmv.png" width="400" height="300">
As you walk down the path, the mountain becomes closer and closer you start to feel older and older the closer you get. Eventually your entire body begins to feel numb. You close your eyes and take deep breaths. You stop and lay down. When you open your eyes, your entire world changes around you.
[[Continue|4D]]In trying to catch a koi fish, you instead catch a sea turtle. It may not be fish, but turtle is still tasty. However, it //is// odd that a sea turtle would be in a river like this. Nevertheless, you have caught the thing. What should you do with it?
[[Cook it up and eat it|5J]]
''OR''
[[Let it go and keep fishing for Koi|5K]]You have decided to help this small carp up to the top of the waterfall, you so searching in the woods and find something to help you craft something to carry the fish in. You decide to craft a basket form some small twigs and scoop up the fish and begin carrying it to the top of the waterfall, after reaching the top you see the koi begin to grow rapidly, you are frightened what do you do?
[[Run into the woods and never look back|5C]]
''OR''
[[Stay, even though you are frightened, to see what happens to the fish you saved|5D]]You get lost within the thickness of the tree. As tired and weary as you are, you find it difficult to continue on. You have no idea where you are, and have no idea how to get out. It isn't long before darkness falls. The sun sets, and it's the last dusk you'll never see.<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://youtu.be/kodAKY8dAkw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
As you stand there shaking in fear you realize the koi has transformed into a massive water dragon. You are in shock at what you witnessed. The dragon then roars at you as you are trembling with fear. You are still in shock of what has happened, however you must decide what to do as the dragon starts swimming towards you.
[[Curl up in a ball to protect yourself|6D]]
''OR''
[[Try to fight the dragon with your bare hands|6E]]As you curl up a ball you suddenly feel a something wet rubbing on your leg, as you look to see it is you realize that it is the dragon. You sit up and realize that the dragon actually likes you so you begin to rub him back. You have aquired a new friend.
[[Continue|7C]]As you go to grab the massive beast you soon realized that this is a fight that you can not win. As you turn to run away the dragon steps stops you by slamming its tail in front of you, he then picks you up and tosses you up into the sky and you become unconscious.
[[Continue|7B]]You wake up dazed and confused of where you are at, the last thing you remember is giant dragon tossing you into the air. You begin to walk around and find a pond and you go to get a drink, as you go to get a drink you realize that you are now a girl. Confused you look around and find a village to the left and a gold statue to the right.
[[Walk to the village|VID3]]
''OR''
[[Investigate the statue|8C]]You make your way to the statue, you get close and see that it looks familiar, you then realize that the statue is of the girl you are now. You notice that there are words under the statue calling you the sun goddess and that this land is your kingdom in heaven. You begin to admire the statue and see that there is a button on the side and also realize the village from earlier is on fire.
[[Press the big, shiny button|9A]]
''OR''
[[Head to the burning village|VID3]]You press the button and see that it opens up a door to this weird underground tunnel. You can not see exactly where it goes but you can see a light to what you believe is the end. You are drawn in because of curiosity, and you soon find yourself deep inside the tunnel.
[[Continue|VID4]]You begin to walk toward the village, as you get closer you see this guy who looks anger and begins to scream at you and start running. He yells “Amaterasu I am going to ruin you!”. You look at him and he has a samurai sword in his hand, you are shocked, panicked you look around and find a girl waving you to her into a house.
(if: (either: 0,1) is 0)[[[Attempt to reach the safety of the girl's house|10B]]]
(else:)[[[Attempt to reach the safety of the girl's house|10C]]]<img src="https://i.imgur.com/KQN0tvg.png" width="400" height="300">
As you enter the cave you can feel the damp wetness all around you. You grab a lantern because you can hardly see, as you make your way down you can hear cries outside. As you listen you can hear them crying for the sun to come back out, at first you are shocked then you remember that you are the goddess of sun so you must have done this.
[[Continue|11A]]After you get inside the home you lock the door and ask the girl what the heck is going on, she explains to you that you are Amaterasu, the goddess of sun, and the guy outside is your brother. She tells you that you are in heaven and that he is trying to take you land, and that your brother will persist until he is stopped. She then leads you to an underground cave and tells you that you will be safe there.
[[Follow her to the cave|VID4]]
''OR''
[[Stop your brother|11B]]The man with the sword is too fast! Before you can reach the house, he catches you, and takes you away. You are taken to a dark place, and trapped there. You aren't sure how long you're there, but you never die. And you never leave.The dragon flies you home, and visits you often, bringing rain with it. You prepare a large garden, knowing it will prosper with the dragon's rain. The harvest is large, and you have more than enough for you and your wife. Over the next few years, your wife and you live comfortably, making money from selling the excess harvest, and providing the dragon company and food whenever it visits with its rains.Life goes on, albeit uneventfully. You lived a good, long life. Your wife Continues on, never fully recovering from her sickness, but she lives on a long as you do. You both come to a peaceful rest a little over a year later.Eventually, word gets out about the indescribable beauty of your daughter. Kaguya-hime is pursued by five princes who ask for her hand in marriage. However, you forbid any of the men from marrying her, not seeing them as worthy of you precious treasure. Some try to use force, but Kaguya-hime supports you in your decision, whether she agrees or not, and they eventually leave in defeat.
[[Continue|7D]]One day, the Emperor of Japan himself hears of Kaguya-hime and comes to marry your daughter. You can tell she's fond of him, and before she even has to say yes, you give the Emperor permission. As strong as he is, he alone is worthy of her. She marries and leaves, but you still find gold on occasion when you visit the bamboo for old-time's sake. You hear she is in a happy marriage, and your wife and you spend the rest of your days in luxury.You go back outside to find your brother terrorizing our village, you start to approach him he once again becomes very anger toward you and violent. You try to reason with him but it only aggravates him more, as he gets closer you can see the anger in his eyes. You can sense the danger but is too late, he swings his samurai sword and you are dead.As you start to realize the consequences of what you have done and how it can affect the heavens and the earth. You realize that all the plants and animals could soon die if you are not careful. You begin to hear noises outside the cave, it sounds like a party...
[[Investigate the noises|12A]]
''OR''
[[Stay hidden in the safety of the cave|12B]]You go back to the entrance of the cave to hear better, you hear a lot of commotion and are curious of what is going on. You open the door to the cave and peep your head out and see yourself, confused you come out the cave some more and you get grabbed. As you are being grabbed you can either fight back or let them take you peacefully.
[[Fight the POWER!!|13A]]
''OR''
[[Go peacefully|13B]]Double-click this passage to edit it.As you get grabbed you try to fight your way away from the guy who grabbed you, you start to kick and throw punches to escape the culprit. No matter how hard you fight you are getting nowhere. You eventually give up and go peacefully and you get to see who grabbed you.
[[Go peacefully|13B]]You give yourself up and soon realize that the heavenly gods were the ones that grabbed you. They were concerned that you might not come and that the heaven and earth might die due to the lack of sun, they are upset with you for doing this so they tell you that they are going to banned you from the heavens and taking your land. As you go to argue your case one of the gods injects you with some sleep medicine.
[[Continue|14A]]You slowly come back to light and see that you are back on the path you originally started on, and are even back in your original, old, masculine body. The time hasn't even changed. You find yourself sitting in front of the two paths from eariler in the day. Will you go right, or left?
Head to the [[right|2A]] in the direction of your work
''OR''
Head to the [[left|2B]] to see where this new path leadsThe dirt path is now black and hard. It is painted with lines. You look around and see hundreds of buildings. You are not sure what happened. You continue on towards the mountain and see other people heading up the mountain. They are all wearing strange attire. You pass by multiple shrines. People are worshipping statues and following the path leading to the top. What do you do?
[[Follow the path|5F]]
''OR''
[[Go towards a statue|5G]]You walk along the path until you reach the end. You are close to the summit of mount Fuji and can see far into the distance. You look out and see hundreds of tall box shaped structures, taller than any building you have ever seen before. You look around in amazement at this new world you are in. You are at peace, and spend the rest of your life here.The statue looks very old, but you recognize one similar close to your village. You read a sign describing the history of this mountain, Mount Fuji. The sign explains how hundreds of years ago, this mountain was submitted by the men of the emperor of Japan and holds special powers by the gods. Then you realize… you are in the future. Gotta get back. Back to the past. Samurai Jack.Izanami and Izanagi may be the creation gods, but they are also brother and sister. They decide with this knowledge not to unite in fear of the results. The two gods stay separate and no other gods are formed as a result. The land known as Japan is never created.Although brother and sister (incest is not ok, kids), Izanami and Izanagi unite and have a child, Hiruko (Leech Child). Hiruko is badly deformed and born without bones. Izanami and Izanagi contribute the deformed child to an error in ritual. What do they do?
[[Set Hiruko off in a boat to sea|VID2]]
''OR''
[[Take care of their son and let him grow up with a family|5I]]<img src="https://i.imgur.com/kzRoHMd.jpg" width="400" height="300">
Raising a child is difficult. Having a child without bones is almost unthinkable. Izanami and Izanagi decide to put their mistakes behind them and send Hiruko out to sea, lost to the world. He is expected to vanish and never return to land again. This marks the first god created by Izanami and Izanagi.
[[Continue|6F]]Izanami and Izanagi worry about their young son. He struggles to even stand and must be assisted with everything he does. Hiruko eventually grows up and becomes stronger. He thrives at sea and learns to swim effectively.
[[Continue|6G]]Hiruko has been set adrift at sea in a small reed boat at the age of three. Eventually, the ocean washes him to shore on the coast of Japan. Hiruko is later found by villagers and taken in to grow and develop. He grows up to be the god of fishermen.
[[Continue|7E]]Izanami and Izanagi now have a decision to make. They think that the reason Hiruko turned out the way he did is because of an error in ritual. Izanami spoke first when it should have been Izanagi. What do they do?
[[Retry the ritual and attempt to have another child|8D]]
''OR''
[[Don't attempt to have anymore children|8E]]Izanami and Izanagi believe that they can fix their mistakes and have a normal child. They repeat the ritual and hope for the best. This time, they have their second child, the Island of Awa. Although better, Izanagi and Izanami are still dissatisfied with their child. They know that they can produce better offspring. What do they do?
[[Try again. Third time's the charm|9C]]
''OR''
[[Ask the seven invisible gods for help|9D]]Izanami and Izanagi have tried their best but they cannot continue to put themselves through this torture. If they have another child like this it would make them upset beyond repair so they decide to stop. Japan exists but it will never reach its full potential as they had hoped for.Izanami and Izanagi know that this time, if they are extremely careful, everything should end well and they should be able to have a healthy child. They repeat the ritual with extreme caution, however, it still does not work properly and their child is not normal. Izanami and Izanagi are torn to pieces and give up for good.Izanami and Izanagi decide that it would be in their best interest to ask the gods what they are doing wrong in order to create a child. The gods tell them that they still have an error in their ritual and they must fix this error if they want to complete the ceremony successfully. Izanami and Izanagi listen to the gods and try again.
[[Continue|10D]]Hiruko becomes so strong that he has full independence from his parents. He takes position as the god of the sea and finds a soulmate. Hiruko and his wife have a child for each of the oceans and seas of the world. Each child grows up to control their area.
[[Continue|7F]]Hiruko and his family live on for centuries, controlling their territory and making sure that the seas are at bay. However, Izanami and Izanagi never have children again in fear of what may come from it. The seas live on without the creation of Japan and all gods are water related from that point on.Izanami and Izanagi continue with their good fortune, having children that come to represent gods of all sorts of different things. Eventually, Izanami gave birth to the fire god, Kagu-tsuchi. The complications of giving birth to a fire god kills Izanami, sending her to the underworld.
[[Continue|11C]]The turtle tastes foul, and you get the shakes after eating it. Your frail body isn't able to handle the vigorous trembling the consumption of the turle has brought on, and you soon fall over. You realize that you won't be able to make it back to your wife, nor help her to get better. You die, and she follows suit soon after.You release the sea turtle and continue to try to catch koi, without any success. But after a time, you hear a voice calling out to you. You look around and eventually spot the turtle you let go speaking to you. You rub your eyes to make sure you aren't imagining, and lo and behold, the turtle speaks. It has come to invite you to the Dragon Kinds Palace. You notice the turtle is far larger now: big enough for you to ride. Do you accept the invitation?
[[Go with the sea turtle|6H]]
''OR''
[[Politely decline, and return home|6I]]You go with the sea turtle, and arrive at the Dragon King's Palace. The King isn't an actual dragon, but a great man. You notice that, being in his presence, you are filled with life and vigor. Your youth is restored to you. He thanks you for saving his daughter. You turn and see the tutle you had spared has transformed into the most beautiful woman in all of the World. The king offers you his daughter in marriage.
[[Decline his daughter, and return home to your wife|7G]]
''OR''
[[Accept his daughter, and marry the most beautiful woman ever|7H]]You return home, and find your wife still sick. You care for her as best you can, and with your work at the bamboo cutery, you are able to get by for a few more years. You both live peacefully and uneventfully, aside from your wife being ill. Eventually, you both die, having lived a good long life.The daughter informs you that the island is magical, and that just in the short time you've been there, over a year has passed back home. You wife died from illness. The daughter transforms into a turtle and takes you home, so you can grieve for your wife. Your old age is restored as you reach your land, but you spend your last few months preserving your wife's memory.You marry the Dragon King's daughter, and live happily with her for a long time. You couldn't ask for more in a woman. However, you feel that your honor has been tarnished, as you had not separated from your wife before joining with another. You tell your new wife you must return to your old wife so you may properly break ties. She begs you not to leave, but your honor must be repaired. Your new wife gives you a box, and tells you to never open it. She then takes you back to your land.
[[Continue|8F]]While you were away, half a millenia had passed. The island you had been on had no time, and thus you had spent ages there never realizing it. You know your old wife is well beyond dead now. So you wish to return to your incredibly gorgeous new wife. But you can't find your way back to her. Then, you remember the box she gave you. If anything could lead you to her, the box could. What do you do?
[[Open the box|9F]]
''OR''
[[Wait by the shore fishing for as long as it takes to find her again|9E]]One day, decades later, you catch your wife, and are reuinted with her. She takes you back to the island, and you live forever with her in your special paradise, forever young and attracted to one another; forever loyal and intimate; forever happy and together.You open the box, and find that your youth had been stored there. As it floats away, you feel the youth leaving your body. You slowly age back to your old age, then well beyond, turning to dust. Your six hundred year old dust mingles with the sand on the shore, as you pass from this life.In turn, Izanagi takes a sword and kills the fire god, Kagu-tsuchi, for killing Izanami. Izanagi heads to the underworld in hopes of retrieving his wife, but he is unsuccessful. Izanami ate some cooked meat while he was there, so she was not allowed to leave. Izanami and Izanagi are forever turned apart from this point.<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2L4wv-wJs6s" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
< https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L4wv-wJs6s >
[[Continue|3D]]<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4ZXyN9ZvTm0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
< https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZXyN9ZvTm0 >
[[Continue|5H]]<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4GgpQrYcxQ0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
< https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GgpQrYcxQ0 >
[[Continue|9B]]<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FYRIt_nsTFw" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
< https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYRIt_nsTFw >
[[Continue|10A]]