Reading Notes: Japanese Mythology, Part A

Story: Izanagi and Izanami

Story Source: Romance of Old Japan, Part I: Mythology and Legend by E. W. Champney and F. Champney (1917).

Izanagi and Izanami, source: Wikimedia
This is a creation story which I really enjoyed. 

Story Plot:

In the beginning, all was gloomy chaos. Out of the infinite void rose a cloud, floating on the sea of space. Out of the depths of the cloud, a bud sprouted and an iris flowered rose into the air and to the Taka-ma-no-hara (high plain of heaven). Once it bloomed, it became the bright shining sun.

At the same time, a night-blooming flower fluttered downward from the firmament and became the moon.

From the heart of the blossoms sprouted a score of gods. Among the gods were Izanagi (the powerful-God-of-the-Air), and Izanami (Fair-Goddess-of-the-Clouds). From Izanagi and Izanami, issued all life.

Near the beginning of time, Izanagi, the God of the Heavens, took for wife Izanami, the beautiful Goddess of Love. From Izanami womb sprang many worlds, gods, men, animals, and earth.

To Izanagi and Izanami were born the eight islands of Japan. First the great Yamato, then Tsukishi, Iyo, Tsushima, Ahaji, Shikoku, Oki, and Lado.

To them was born a daughter, Bright-Shining-Amaterasu, and a son, Susa-no-wo-no-mikoto. The fairest of their offspring.

Izanagi gave Amaterasu his necklace of precious stones and commanded to her: "Rule thou henceforth over Tama-no-hara (high plain of heaven). Then Izanagi addressed Susa-no-wo, saying: "Rule thou over the Moon and the multitudinous salt water."



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