Izanagi-no-Mikoto: Creator God and Father of the Three Noble Children in Japanese Mythology

Izanagi-no-Mikoto is one of the most important deities in Japanese mythology, revered as the male creator god who helped form the land and gave birth to many of the kami (Shinto gods). In the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters), he is featured as the final deity of the “Seven Generations of the Age of the Gods” (Kamiyo Nanayo). Alongside his consort Izanami-no-Mikoto, he was entrusted by the heavenly deities to bring structure and form to the chaotic primordial world. His name is often interpreted as "he who invites" or "the inviting male."

Key Myths and Divine Roles of Izanagi

1. The Creation of the Japanese Islands (Ōyashima)

Following orders from the heavenly realm, Izanagi and Izanami used the Ame-no-Nuboko (Heavenly Jeweled Spear) to stir the shapeless ocean below. From the droplets that fell from the spear's tip, the first island, Onogoro-shima, was born. The divine pair descended and performed a sacred marriage ritual, leading to the birth of Japan’s main islands—collectively known as Ōyashima.

2. Birth of Natural Deities

After forming the land, Izanagi and Izanami created numerous deities representing natural forces such as wind, rivers, trees, and fire. Tragically, Izanami died giving birth to the fire deity Kagutsuchi-no-Mikoto, leaving Izanagi in deep sorrow.

3. Descent into the Land of the Dead (Yomi no Kuni)

Determined to bring his beloved wife back, Izanagi ventured into Yomi, the shadowy realm of the dead. However, after seeing Izanami's decayed form, he was horrified and fled, sealing the entrance behind him. This myth explains the origin of death and the separation between life and death in Japanese cosmology.

4. The Sacred Purification and the Birth of the Three Noble Children

After returning from Yomi, Izanagi performed a purification ritual called misogi to cleanse himself. During this act of spiritual purification, three significant deities were born:

Amaterasu-ōmikami (Sun Goddess) – from his left eye
Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto (Moon God) – from his right eye
Susanoo-no-Mikoto (Storm and Sea God) – from his nose

These three are known as the Three Noble Children (Mikogami or Sankishi), who play essential roles in the Shinto pantheon and the spiritual foundation of Japan.

Shrines Dedicated to Izanagi-no-Mikoto

Izanagi is still worshipped across Japan, particularly at shrines that commemorate his mythological deeds and divine lineage:

Izanagi Jingu (Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture)

Believed to be where Izanagi lived out his final days. A major pilgrimage site for followers of Shinto.
Taga Taisha (Shiga Prefecture)

Associated with blessings for longevity, good fortune, and ancestral protection.
Awashima Shrine (Wakayama Prefecture)

Popular for prayers related to marital harmony, fertility, and safe childbirth.

Symbolic Importance of Izanagi

Aspect	Meaning & Symbolism
Creator Deity	Helped shape the physical world and gave birth to elemental deities.
Divine Father	Father of the Three Noble Children, seen as the spiritual patriarch.
God of Boundaries	Embodies the division between life and death through his journey to Yomi.
Purifier of the World	His misogi ritual represents renewal, cleansing, and spiritual rebirth.

Final Thoughts

Izanagi-no-Mikoto is more than a mythical figure—he represents the divine forces of creation, loss, transition, and renewal. His stories lay the groundwork for understanding Shinto beliefs, Japan’s sacred landscape, and the cosmic balance of life and death. Visiting shrines dedicated to Izanagi offers a profound glimpse into the roots of Japanese spirituality.