The Creation of Japan

The Floating Bridge

Before the world was formed, there was a chaotic, oily mass like a jellyfish. The elder gods summoned the divine pair, Izanagi (He Who Invites) and Izanami (She Who Invites), and commanded them to solidify the drifting land. They were given the Jeweled Spear of Heaven (Amenonuhoko).

Standing on the Floating Bridge of Heaven, they stirred the chaotic brine below with the spear. When they lifted it, the salty drops that fell from the tip coagulated to form the first island, Onogoro. They descended to this island and erected a heavenly pillar and a great hall.

Birth of the Islands

To populate the world, they devised a marriage ritual of walking around the pillar. However, Izanami spoke first upon meeting, which was considered improper. Their first children were deformed (the Leech Child) and were set adrift in a reed boat. The elder gods told them to redo the ritual correctly, with Izanagi speaking first.

After correcting the ritual, they gave birth to the eight great islands of Japan (Oypashima) and then hundreds of smaller islands. Following the land, they gave birth to the kami (spirits) of the sea, wind, mountains, and trees.

Death of Izanami

Tragedy struck when Izanami gave birth to Kagutsuchi, the fire god. The flames burned her so badly that she died and descended to Yomi, the Land of the Dead. Enraged with grief, Izanagi beheaded his fiery son, and from the blood, more kami were born.

Izanagi journeyed to Yomi to retrieve his wife. He found her, but she warned him not to look at her as she prepared to leave. Overcome by impatience, he lit a tooth of his comb solely to see her. He saw her rotting corpse writhing with maggots. Horrified, he fled.

Shamed and furious, Izanagi sent hags of the underworld to chase him. He escaped and sealed the entrance to Yomi with a great boulder. From behind the rock, Izanami vowed to kill 1,000 of his people every day. Izanagi replied he would cause 1,500 to be born every day—establishing the cycle of life and death.

The Precious Children

To purify himself from the pollution of death, Izanagi bathed in a river. As he washed his face, the three noble children were born:

• From his left eye: Amaterasu (Sun Goddess)
• From his right eye: Tsukuyomi (Moon God)
• From his nose: Susanoo (Storm God)

He divided the rule of the heavens and earth among them.