The creation myth of Japan begins with a pair of divine beings, Izanami and Izanagi. These figures are central to Shinto beliefs and are responsible for birthing the islands of Japan and many of the gods and goddesses within the pantheon. Delving into their story, a fundamental question arises: Are Izanami And Izanagi Married? The answer, while seemingly straightforward, carries significant cultural and mythological weight.
The Celestial Union Are Izanami And Izanagi Married?
The narrative within the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters) and the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan), the primary sources for Japanese mythology, clearly depicts Izanami and Izanagi as a married couple. Tasked by the celestial deities to create land from the primordial chaos, they descended to Earth. Standing on the Floating Bridge of Heaven, they stirred the ocean with the jeweled spear Amenonuhoko, and the droplets that fell from the spear formed the first island, Onogoro-shima. Upon this island, they erected a divine pillar (Amenomihashira) and built a palace (Yahiro-dono). This is where their marital journey formally begins, as they perform a ritual to solidify their union and begin the creation of the Japanese archipelago.
The specifics of their marriage ritual are quite significant. They circled the divine pillar in opposite directions, and upon meeting, Izanami spoke first, which initially resulted in the birth of the deformed child Hiruko (Ebisu). Recognizing their mistake, they repeated the ritual, this time with Izanagi speaking first. This correct performance led to the successful birth of the Japanese islands, starting with Awaji Island and followed by other significant landmasses. Their union represents not just a partnership but a sacred duty, fulfilling the will of the higher deities and bringing order to the world. Here’s a simple breakdown of their key creations:
- Awaji Island
- Iyo Island (Shikoku)
- Oki Island
- Tsukushi Island (Kyushu)
- Iki Island
- Tsushima Island
- Sado Island
- Oyamato Island (Honshu)
However, their marital bliss was tragically cut short. While giving birth to the fire god Kagutsuchi, Izanami was severely burned and eventually died. Izanagi, overcome with grief and rage, slew Kagutsuchi. Izanami’s descent into Yomi, the underworld, and Izanagi’s subsequent attempt to retrieve her, ending in failure and a bitter separation, marks a pivotal turning point in their relationship. This event establishes the concepts of life, death, and purity within Shinto mythology, highlighting the profound consequences that can arise even in divine unions. The story concludes with Izanagi sealing the entrance to Yomi, forever separating himself from Izanami and establishing the boundary between the world of the living and the world of the dead. The table below gives a comparison between their actions and the effect it has on the world:
| Action | Effect |
|---|---|
| Marriage Ritual | Birth of the Japanese islands |
| Izanami birth of Kagutsuchi | Izanami’s death and establishment of the underworld |
| Izanagi sealing Yomi | Separation of life and death |
If you’re interested in learning more about the fascinating details of Izanami and Izanagi’s story, you should check out the Kojiki. It provides a detailed account of their creation myth and offers further insights into their relationship and the origins of Japan.