The Creation of Japan: The Myth of Izanagi and Izanami
Contents
Did you know that Japan also has a story of creation?
It begins with a sacred couple, Izanagi and Izanami, chosen to bring the islands of Japan into being. With a shining spear, they stirred the endless sea, and from its drops, a new island rose from the waves.
What follows is a tale of love, creation, and tragedy.
Step into the beginning of Japan’s mythology, and discover how two gods shaped a nation.
The Sacred Union: How the Islands Were Born
Long, long ago, the heavenly gods—the Kotoamatsukami—looked down upon the drifting, shapeless earth. They called upon Izanagi and Izanami, the divine couple, and handed them a sacred spear, the Ame-no-Nuboko.
Take this spear. Stir the chaos below, and shape it into a land worthy of being called a nation.
Obeying this command, Izanagi and Izanami stood upon the Floating Bridge of Heaven. They dipped the glittering spear into the swirling sea and stirred. When they lifted it out, drops of salty water fell from its tip. The drops piled up, hardened, and became the very first island—Onogoro-jima (Onogoro Island).
The two gods descended to this island. There they built a great hall, the Eight-Fathom Palace, with a mighty pillar at its center—the Heavenly Pillar.
To join as husband and wife, they performed a sacred ritual: each circled the pillar in opposite directions. Izanami walked to the right, and Izanagi to the left. When they met, Izanami spoke first:
Ah! What a fine man you are!
Izanagi replied:
And what a beautiful maiden you are!
They united, but their first children were not as they had hoped. Confused and saddened, they returned to the heavenly gods to ask why.
The gods revealed:
It was not proper for the woman to speak first. The man must lead the union.
So Izanagi and Izanami returned to Onogoro-shima and repeated the ritual. This time, Izanagi spoke first:
Ah! What a fine woman you are!
And Izanami answered with joy. Their union was now in harmony—and from it, the islands of Japan were born.
At last, their union brought forth the islands. One by one, the great lands appeared: Awaji, Shikoku, Oki, Kyushu, Iki, Tsushima, Sado, and Honshu, forming the Eight Great Islands. And still they continued, bringing forth many more: Kojima, Shodoshima, Oshima, Himejima, Chikashima, and Futagojima.
Thus, the drifting earth became firm land, shaped by the love and union of Izanagi and Izanami. The creation of Japan had begun.
The Birth of the Kami: Gods of Home and Nature
After shaping the islands, Izanagi and Izanami continued their work of creation. This time, they began to bring forth the kami, the gods who would fill the land with life and meaning.
The very first was a deity of great achievements and mighty works, a god symbolizing strength and accomplishment.
After him came the Kataku Roku-shin—the “Six Household Deities.” These were spirits connected to stone, soil, gates, roofs, and the shelter that keeps people safe.
Next came the deities of nature—of the sea, the rivers and harbors, the wind, the trees, the mountains, and the grasses that cover the fields. Through these births, the world grew richer and more complete. The oceans, forests, and mountains were no longer empty—they were alive with divine presence.
Finally, the couple brought forth deities tied to human wisdom and daily life: a sacred boat to carry the gods, the goddess of food and grain, and at last, the fiery god of flame. And with this final birth, joy turned to sorrow. For when Izanami gave life to the god of fire, the light of creation became shadowed by tragedy.
Tragedy of Fire: Izanami’s Death
Izanagi and Izanami had filled the land with countless deities—gods of home, of nature, and of human life itself. The world seemed complete, overflowing with divine presence.
But with the birth of the fire god Kagutsuchi, sorrow entered the world for the first time. The flames burned Izanami’s body, and she cried out in pain. Her strength faded, and her life slipped away.
My beloved Izanami!
Izanagi’s voice shook with grief.
How can I go on without you?
The mother of many gods was gone, and Izanagi was left in despair. In his rage, he struck down Kagutsuchi, the child who had cost Izanami her life. From the blood of the slain fire god, new deities were born. And from Kagutsuchi’s very body, still more gods emerged. Even in death, creation continued—but it was a creation born of violence and grief.
Yet nothing could ease Izanagi’s sorrow. For the first time, Izanagi knew the pain of losing someone he loved. Unable to accept her fate, Izanagi resolved to journey to the land of the dead—Yomi, the shadowy realm where Izanami now dwelled.
And so the story continued, into a tale of Izanagi and Izanami’s sorrow, yearning, and the boundary between life and death.
The Sacred Union Ritual and Its Deeper Meaning
How did you find the story of Japan’s islands coming to life? Izanagi walking to the left, Izanami to the right, and the order in which they spoke… It may sound like a strange ritual, don’t you think? But these actions had a very deep meaning.
Let’s take a closer look at the hidden symbolism in the myth.
The Meaning of Left and Right in the Myth
In ancient Japan, the left side was considered higher in status than the right. This was more than just a social custom—it was shown through sacred rituals. In this way, the creation of the world was connected to the natural order of the universe, shown in a symbolic way.
When Izanagi, the male and sun deity, moved left, and Izanami, the female and moon deity, moved right, their union represented balance: sun and moon, male and female, light and shadow. By following this sacred pattern, their ritual reflected the laws of nature itself.
Establishing Sacred Legitimacy
This was no accident. It is believed that the people of ancient Japan told this story to show that their nation was sacred, rightful, and created by the gods. By showing that Japan’s birth followed the proper order of the world, the story gave the nation a special place as a land in harmony with the divine.
The Path of the Sun
In ancient thought, the sun itself was linked with the leftward path. So the idea of “leftward movement” and the “path of the sun” as signs of what is sacred and rightful also appears in the birth of Japan’s islands.
Take a closer look at the order in which the islands were created by Izanagi and Izanami. On a map, they appear in a counter-clockwise (leftward) path, symbolizing the path of the sun. In this way, even the sequence of the islands’ birth reflects the thoughts and beliefs of the people of ancient Japan.
Note: At that time, people in Japan had not yet discovered Hokkaido or Okinawa, so these regions do not appear in the myth.
Echoes in Tradition
The idea from this myth—that the left side was considered superior—did not disappear with time. It was passed down through history and can still be seen in certain traditions even today.
Here are a few examples:
| Context | Left (superior) | Right (inferior) |
|---|---|---|
| Imperial court | Minister of the Left (Sadaijin) outranked | Minister of the Right (Udaijin) |
| Traditional stage | Kamite = “upper side” | Shimote = “lower side” |
| Kyoto-style hina dolls | Male doll sits on the left (his left, viewer’s right) | Female doll sits on the right |
Through these layers of meaning, the story tells us that Japan was born through the right ritual, natural order, and divine harmony—a nation not created by chance, but in line with the natural laws of the world.
Seasons, Sun, and the Deeper Symbolism
There is another hidden meaning in the ritual of Izanagi and Izanami.
It reflects Japan’s year — the turning of the seasons and the changes in nature. Let’s look more closely at how the story ties these rhythms to the ritual.
In ancient thought, the sun’s movement stood for growth, strength, and life, while the shadow’s movement suggested decline, fading, and rest. Together they formed the rhythm of nature—much like a calendar, as ancient people closely tied the movement of the sun to the cycle of seasons and their daily lives.
Izanagi’s leftward path points to the time when days grow longer after the winter solstice — light returns, plants wake, and the world renews. Izanami’s rightward path points to the time after the summer solstice — days slowly shorten, the fields quiet, and the earth prepares to rest.
In this way, the ritual does more than unite two deities. It mirrors the cycle of the seasons — growth and decline, light and shadow —
and hints at the early knowledge of nature and the skies held by the people who shaped this myth.
Symbolism in a Global Context
The focus on order and ritual as the foundation of creation is something unique to Japanese mythology. Yet the story of Izanagi and Izanami also shares themes with myths from around the world.
Death and Rebirth
Just as Izanami’s death gave rise to new gods, these myths show that creation often arises from destruction. Similar themes appear in other world myths, for example:
| Mythology | Example |
|---|---|
| Norse mythology | The giant Ymir is slain, and from his body the gods create the world—mountains from his bones, rivers from his blood. |
| Egyptian mythology | The god Osiris is killed and reborn as ruler of the underworld |
| Mesopotamian mythology | The goddess Inanna (Ishtar) descends into the underworld, dies, and returns to life—symbolizing the cycle of death and renewal, tied to the seasons. |
Like Izanami’s death, these stories show that creation often arises from destruction.
Nature and the Divine
Another shared idea is the unity of nature and the divine. In Japan, every stone, mountain, tree, and river was born as a deity.
This way of seeing nature as sacred can also be found in many other world myths:
| Mythology | Example |
|---|---|
| Greek mythology | Gaia (earth goddess), Poseidon (god of the sea) |
| Egyptian mythology | Ra (sun god), Nut (sky goddess) |
| Mesopotamian mythology | Anu (sky god), Enlil (storm god), Tiamat (sea goddess) |
| Roman mythology | Neptune (god of the sea), Ceres (goddess of agriculture), Diana (goddess of the forest and moon) |
In this way, the tale of Izanagi and Izanami is both deeply Japanese and yet part of the wider human story that connects cultures across the globe.
Legacy in Japanese Culture
Did you know that the grand myth of Izanagi and Izanami, born long ago, still leaves traces you can follow today? Across Japan, there are sacred places where the memory of the kuniumi (“birth of the land”) lives on. Here are some famous spots where you can step into the story yourself.
Sacred Sites of Kuniumi on Awaji Island
Awaji Island (Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan) is dotted with places that keep the memory of Izanagi and Izanami alive. Here are three spots where visitors can step directly into the myth of Japan’s creation:
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Izanagi Jingu Shrine
Said to be the oldest shrine in Japan, mentioned in both the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki.
It enshrines Izanagi and Izanami together, and its sacred tree, the “Husband-and-Wife Camphor,” is two trees joined into one—believed to embody the divine couple.
The shrine is especially known for blessings of safe childbirth, fertility, and marital harmony.
Want to know more? You can find more details on this page.
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Onokoro Shrine
Famous for its giant vermilion torii gate, considered one of the Three Great Torii of Japan.
Behind it lies a small hill said to be the legendary Onogoro Island, the first land created by the gods.
Along the path stands the Sekirei Stone, where a pair of wagtails supposedly showed Izanagi and Izanami the way of marriage. Today, it is a popular spot for those seeking good fortune in love.Want to know more? You can find more details on this page.
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Kamitate-gami Rock
Believed to be the pillar around which Izanagi and Izanami performed their sacred marriage ritual.
The rock has a heart-shaped hollow in its center, giving it a romantic aura.
It is often called Japan’s oldest—and most powerful—spot for divine matchmaking.Want to know more? You can find more details on this page.
A Living Myth for Travelers
For visitors, exploring these places is more than sightseeing—it is stepping into the story itself. By visiting Awaji Island and experiencing the world of Izanagi and Izanami, you are walking the place that the myth tells us was the very start of the world.
And while the tale of Izanagi and Izanami ends in tragedy, what has been passed down to us today is something different. Their story is remembered as a symbol of marital harmony, love, and blessings for safe childbirth. In this way, the myth continues to live on—not only as a memory of creation, but as a message of happiness and love.
Conclusion: The Timeless Echo of Kuniumi
The myth of Izanagi and Izanami is more than just a story about gods—it is the story of how Japan itself came to be. From the stirring of the seas with a divine spear, to the birth of islands, to love, tragedy, and the first encounter with death, this tale reflects both the beauty and fragility of life.
What makes it special is how its echoes still remain today. On Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture, shrines and sacred sites keep the memory of this myth alive, offering visitors a chance to step into the very place where the story says the world began.
Though the myth ends in sorrow, what is remembered now is a message of love, harmony, and new beginnings. It reminds us that even in tragedy, there can be creation, and that myths continue to guide us—not only as stories of the past, but as living traditions that shape how people see the world today.
Exploring this myth is more than history—it is a way to connect with the spirit of Japan itself.