Reading Notes: Japanese Mythology Part A

Izanagi and Izanami: Izanagi is the God of the Heavens, and Izanami is his wife, and the "Beautiful Goddess of Love." Before the beginning of time, all was chaotic, but suddenly a cloud arose. Within this cloud was a seed, and once this seed was planted it began to grow. This seed bloomed into the sun. From this, another seed was dispersed, and this seed turned into the moon. From the moon, many seeds were sent out, and these became gods and goddesses. Izanagi connected the heavens and the moon and sun, and finally decided he wanted to find more land, and after searching for a while, he came upon the island of Onogora. From here he attached a floating bridge. From that bridge, earth-makers descended from the heavens to create the planet. After some time developing the planet, Izanagi and Izanami wed and then Izanami birthed eight descendants, which became the eight islands of Japan. These were Yamato (the Flowery Isle of the Dragon-fly), then Tsukushi (the White Sun Youth), Iyo (the Passing-fair Princess), Tsushima (the Stepping Stone), Ahaji (the Isle of Grieving), Shikoku (the Pearl of the Inland Sea), Oki (the Islet of the White Hare), and Lado (Gold Maid of the North). Finally, Izanami bore a daughter, and they named her Amaterasu.

File:2017 11 25 142218 Vietnam Hanoi Ceramic-Mosaic-Mural copy 24.jpg
Bridging the Heavens and the Earth
credit: wikimedia

Izanagi and Izanami (cont.): Izanagi gave Amaterasu a necklace and told her to rule over Takama. He then gave his son, Susa-no-wo rule over the moon and salt water. After Izanami gave too much power to the earthlings, many of the other gods became upset and condemned her. She then bore two sons, the first son, Kagu-tsuchi, was the terrible god of fire, and the second son, who became the god of water. When delivering Kagu-tsuchi, she was horribly burned, and from this, she met her end. Izanagi grieved for his loss, and one day he went to his sister for help. He then journeyed to the middle of the earth to retrieve her soul and save her. During his journey he faced many challenges and competitiors, but in the end, he had finally retrieved her. When he went to raise her, she melted to a mist, and vanished in the night. After this he traveled to the isle of Ahaji, where he dwelled in eternal gloom.

Bibliography: E.W. Champney and F. Champney, Romance of Old Japan, Japanese Mythology

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