Japanese Deities
In
Japanese mythology the two deities Izanagi (The Male Who Invites) and
Izanami (The Female Who Invites) are the creators of Japan and its
gods. In one important myth, they descend to Yomitsu Kuni, the
underworld and land of darkness.
According
to legend, after their birth Izanagi and Izanami stood on the
floating bridge of heaven and stirred the primeval ocean with a
jeweled spear. When they lifted the spear, the drops that fell back
into the water formed the first solid land, an island called Onogoro.
Izanagi and Izanami descended to the island and became husband and
wife. Their first child was deformed, and the other gods said it was
because Izanami spoke before her husband at their marriage ceremony.
The
couple performed another wedding ceremony, this time correctly.
Izanami soon gave birth to eight lovely children, who became the
islands of Japan. Izanagi and Izanami then created many gods and
goddesses to represent the mountains, valleys, waterfalls, streams,
winds, and other natural features of Japan. However, during the birth
of Kagutsuchi, the fire god, Izanami was badly burned. As she lay
dying, she continued to create gods and goddesses, and still other
deities emerged from the tears of the grief-stricken Izanagi.
When
Izanami died, she went to Yomi-tsu Kuni. Izanagi decided to go there
and bring his beloved back from the land of darkness and death.
Izanami greeted Izanagi from the shadows as he approached the
entrance to Yomi. She warned him not to look at her and said that she
would try to arrange for her release from the gods of Yomi. Full of
desire for his wife, Izanagi lit a torch and looked into Yomi.
Horrified to see that Izanami was a rotting corpse, Izanagi fled.
Angry
that Izanagi had not respected her wishes, Izanami sent hideous
female spirits, eight thunder gods, and an army of fierce warriors to
chase him. Izanagi managed to escape and blocked the pass between
Yomi and the land of the living with a huge boulder. Izanami met him
there, and they broke off their marriage.
Izanagi
felt unclean because of his contact with the dead, and he took a bath
to purify himself. A number of gods and goddesses, both good and
evil, emerged from his discarded clothing as Izanagi bathed. The sun
goddess Amaterasu appeared from his left eye, the moon God Tsuki-yomi
appeared from his right eye, and Susano-รด came from his nose. Proud
of these three noble children, Izanagi divided his kingdom among
them.
