Amanchu - Amanchu

…In this way, Japanese giant legends have lost the simple belief in giants as creator gods, and on the one hand they have become somewhat comical exaggerations, and on the other hand they have been placed under the control of other gods. The Okinawan giant Amanchu (heavenly man) is said to have pushed up the sky with both hands when heaven and earth were close to each other in ancient times. According to another legend, he was carrying the sun and moon on a balance pole, but when the pole broke, the sun and moon fell far away, and his tears of grief turned into rivers. …

*Some of the terminology explanations that mention "Amanchuu" are listed below.

Source | Heibonsha World Encyclopedia 2nd Edition | Information

…このように日本の巨人伝説は，天地創造神としての素朴な信仰を失い，一方ではいささか滑稽味のある誇張譚になり，他方では別の神の配下におかれている。沖縄の巨人アマンチュウ(天の人)は，大昔天地が接近していたときに両手で天を押し上げたという。別伝によれば，てんびん棒で日と月を担いで回っていたが，棒が折れて日月は遠くに落ち，悲しんで泣いた涙が川になったという。…

※「アマンチュウ」について言及している用語解説の一部を掲載しています。

出典｜株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典 第２版について | 情報