Goro Gongo

Goro Gongo was a legendary trickster from Omikō who stole a star from Akomi, the goddess of the night sky, which he had forged into a pendant for the collar of his closest companion: Mimi, his pet cat who he brought along every adventure and would bring him luck.

After their passing, it is said that Mimi's spirit lingered to watch over Goro's descendants, and it is common in Omikō to pay respects to Mimi with burnt insense offerings, cat statues, and spirit houses with cat themes, and cats are considered good luck in Omikō. According to legend, Mimi's star pendant is still somewhere out there yet to be found.

Let me tell you the tale of a man and his friend
they travelled the world, evey place to the end
Old Goro Gongo was his name by the by
with Mimi his cat, they plucked a star from the sky

Hey Goro Gongo, who's that fellow by your side?
Oh that goro gongo, adventured up on high

Akomi the great, Akomi the wise
the heavens above, her domain where she lies
Goro offered a deal, it was a game of pure chance
he offered his soul in exhange for a dance

Hey Goro Gongo, who's that fellow by your side?
Oh that Goro Gongo, went betting with his life 

'Twas a slight of his hand that had gone unseen
it was a trick played quick and a trick played clean
A dance with a goddess which he had sought
for his companion: a distraction and time he had bought

Hey Goro Gongo, who's that fellow by your side?
Oh that Goro Gongo, fooled the goddess of the night

A leap of faith from a place on high
a predators pounce caught a star from the sky
Goro bowed and said, "I bid you farewell"
and they made their retreat before she could tell

Hey Goro Gongo, who's that fellow by your side?
Oh that goro gongo, he fled into the night

He took the star to a master smith 
had it crafted into a precious gift
A pendant for his friend held dear
to wear 'round her neck, a relic revered

Oh Goro Gongo, with Mimi by his side
and lo that goro gongo, adventured till he died

By her wit and by her grace
she lingered behind in his place
Watching over her old friend's kin
her spirit lives, their hearts within

Hey goro gongo, who's at your children's side?
Rest now goro gongo, she has a watchful eye