The Myths of Japan: The Island of Onogoro

The Japanese creation myth begins with the emergence of heaven, earth, and seven successive generations of primordial deities. The last of these generations includes the creator gods Izanagi and Izanami, brother and sister, who become the main protagonists of the myth. The other deities command Iz…

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The Myths of Japan: The Consummation of the Deities

While on the island of Onogoro, Izanagi and Izanami realize that their bodies are different, meaning that they have the ability to produce offspring. The deities decide to circle the island's heavenly pillar in opposite directions until they meet again, and when they do, Izanami invites Izanagi to …

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The Myths of Japan: The Birth of the Islands

Having been taught the ways of proper procreation, Izanagi and Izanami go on to have a great many children. First, Izanami gives birth to eight islands: Awaji, Shikoku, Oki, Kyushu, Iki, Tsushima, Sado, and Honshu, forming the Japanese archipelago. These eight islands were the lands ruled by the an…

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The Myths of Japan: The Creation of the Gods

With the world ready to be populated, Izanami gives birth to a wide variety of deities, who inhabit the eight divine islands and control the elements. Among these are the gods of wind, water, trees, mountains, and plains, as well as various household deities and other spirits. They spread out into …

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