Izanagi-no-Mikoto: The God of Creation, Loss, and Renewal in Japanese Mythology

Do you know who first shaped the land of Japan?

It was Izanagi-no-Mikoto (伊弉諾尊), the father of creation and purification. Together with his wife Izanami, he gave form to the islands of Japan. After her tragic death, he ventured into the underworld of Yomi, and through a sacred purification ritual, he brought forth new gods—including the Sun Goddess Amaterasu-Ōmikami.

Izanagi’s story is one of beginnings and endings, loss and renewal. Even today, he is enshrined at some of Japan’s oldest shrines, remembered as the patriarch who shaped both the land and the divine lineage of the gods.

Let’s journey into his story—of a creator, a wanderer, and a purifier whose presence still echoes through Japan’s myths and rituals.

Who is Izanagi-no-Mikoto?

Izanagi-no-Mikoto (伊弉諾尊) is one of the primordial creator deities in Japanese mythology. First, let’s take a look at his brief profile.

Profile of Izanagi-no-Mikoto

Meaning of Name: Izanagi-no-Mikoto (伊弉諾尊) means “He Who Invites,” symbolizing his role in calling forth creation.
Consort: Izanami-no-Mikoto, his partner in shaping both the land and the gods.
Major Myths: Izanagi is central to many of Japan’s most famous stories—　
- Kuniumi & Kamiumi (Creation of the Land and Gods)
- Descent into Yomi (Land of the Dead)
- Misogi (Purification Ritual)
Through these episodes, he not only formed the islands of Japan but also fathered deities who became the foundation of Japan’s imperial lineage and spiritual traditions.
Major Children:
- Amaterasu-Ōmikami – the Sun Goddess, imperial ancestor, and most important deity in Shinto.
- Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto – the Moon God, guardian of night and time.
- Susanoo-no-Mikoto – the Storm God, bringer of both destruction and protection.

He may not always be the hero, yet his role in these myths shaped Japan’s divine history. His place as the origin of creation and purification makes him one of the central figures in Japanese mythology.

Mythological Episodes

Now that we’ve seen Izanagi’s profile, let’s take a closer look at the mythological episodes where he takes the stage. These stories reflect universal themes—creation, love, loss, death, and renewal—that continue to resonate even today.

Kuniumi & Kamiumi: The Creation of Land and Gods

Together with his beloved partner Izanami, Izanagi stood on the Floating Bridge of Heaven and stirred the sea with a jeweled spear.　 From the drops that fell, the islands of Japan began to take shape—marking the dawn of the land itself.

This was more than just an act of creation; it was also a moment of harmony between two divine partners. Hand in hand, Izanagi and Izanami gave birth not only to the islands but also to countless deities—gods of wind, rivers, fire, and more. Their union reflects both the power of creation and the intimacy of love, showing a more human side of Izanagi as a father and partner.

Descent into Yomi: The Land of the Dead

When Izanami died giving birth to the fire god, Izanagi could not bear the thought of losing her forever. Driven by love and grief, he descended into the underworld of Yomi to bring her back, hoping for one more chance to be with his beloved wife.

But when he finally saw Izanami, her body had already changed into a decayed, ghostly form. Shocked and heartbroken, Izanagi fled in terror, sealing the entrance to Yomi with a massive boulder.

This episode reveals a deeply human side of Izanagi—his devotion to Izanami, his inability to accept her loss, and the overwhelming sorrow when faced with the truth. At the same time, the myth defines a profound truth: the eternal separation of life and death, reminding us that death is irreversible, even for the gods themselves.

Misogi: The Purification Ritual

Heartbroken after his journey to Yomi, Izanagi performed a sacred purification ritual in flowing water—an act of both physical and spiritual renewal.

From this cleansing were born the Three Noble Children (Mihashira-no-Uzunomiko also known as Sankishi)—deities who would shape the very order of the world. They are the Sun Goddess Amaterasu, the Moon God Tsukuyomi, and the Storm God Susanoo.

This moment reveals both symbolic and personal dimensions of Izanagi’s story. On one hand, it represents purification—choosing healing after sorrow and finding renewal after loss. On the other, it can be seen as his final farewell to Izanami: an acceptance of their eternal parting, and a turning point where he chose to walk forward on a new path.

Together, these episodes portray Izanagi not only as a god of creation and renewal—tasks only a deity could accomplish—but also as a figure who feels close to us as humans. Through his love and sorrow, his farewell and new resolve, Izanagi embodies emotions that mirror our own, making him both a divine and deeply relatable presence.

Belief and Worship

Izanagi is not only a figure of ancient myth—his presence has also left a lasting footprint in Japan today. In this section, let’s take a closer look at how he continues to be remembered through shrines and rituals.

Izanagi Jingu on Awaji Island

The most prominent shrine dedicated to Izanagi is Izanagi Jingu on Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture. According to tradition, this was the place where Izanagi retired after completing the creation of the land.

Awaji Island itself holds a special meaning in the myths: it was the first island born when Izanagi and Izanami created Japan. That the god chose this very place as his final dwelling is deeply symbolic—his story begins with the creation of the land, and it ends in the same place, making Awaji both the starting point and the resting place of Japan’s divine history.

Visitors to the shrine can still feel this sense of origin and completion, standing at a site where Izanagi’s own journey comes full circle.

Influence on Shinto Rituals

Izanagi’s act of purification (misogi) after his return from Yomi is regarded as the very origin of Shinto cleansing practices. Even today, his example lives on in rituals across Japan.

The harai performed by Shinto priests, as well as the cleansing at the temizuya (water pavilion) before worshippers enter a shrine, are direct echoes of Izanagi’s misogi. These acts are not only about washing the body, but also about purifying the heart—restoring harmony between humans, nature, and the divine.

In this way, Izanagi is remembered not only as a creator god of myth, but also as a living presence woven into Japan’s spiritual life. From ancient times to the present, his story continues to remind people of the power of renewal, the importance of harmony, and the enduring bond between humans and the divine.

Cultural Significance

The presence of Izanagi and his myths has left lasting footprints in Japanese culture up to the present day. Let’s follow those footsteps to see how his legacy still shapes Japan’s way of life.

Purification and Daily Life

Just as Izanagi used his misogi to mark a break with the past and cleanse both body and spirit, modern Japanese people also turn to purification as a way of renewal. At a shrine, acts such as harai (ritual purification) or washing hands at the temizuya are more than traditions—they are moments to draw a line under the past, to reset the heart, and to begin again with a fresh spirit.

In this way, the shrine becomes a sacred space of transition, where cleansing serves as a personal ritual of rebirth. This enduring cultural practice shows how Izanagi’s example still inspires people in Japan today to seek clarity, positivity, and harmony as they move forward in life.

Nature, Loss, and Renewal

The story of Izanagi and Izanami reflects more than love and loss, or life and death—it represents the endless cycle of beginning and ending, and ending that becomes a new beginning.

This cycle is mirrored in nature: the blossoms of spring, the falling leaves of autumn, and the steady passage of time itself. In Japanese culture, these changes are not simply reminders of impermanence but also sources of beauty. That is, cultural concepts such as mono no aware—the gentle awareness of life’s transience—and mujō—the truth that nothing remains unchanged.

In this way, the myth of Izanagi and Izanami did not directly create these concepts, but it resonates with them. As time passed, when the Japanese spirit that honors impermanence and renewal took shape, this myth became connected with those values—transforming it into an even more beautiful story.

In this way, Izanagi continues to live on within the traditions and distinctive concepts that shape Japanese life today.

Conclusion: Izanagi’s Enduring Legacy

From the creation of the islands, to his journey into Yomi, to the act of purification—Izanagi-no-Mikoto stands as one of the most profound figures in Japanese mythology. He is not portrayed as a warrior or trickster, but as a creator, mourner, and renewer—a god whose story reflects both the divine and the deeply human.

Through his myths, we see themes of love and loss, death and rebirth, beginnings and endings. These timeless truths continue to echo in Japan’s shrines, rituals, and cultural values, reminding people that renewal is always possible.

In this way, Izanagi lives on not only as the father of Japan’s gods, but also as a symbol of the human spirit—one that finds strength in sorrow, harmony in nature, and hope in every new beginning.