mythology

Izanami

Primordial goddess of Shinto, known as 'she who invites'.

Izanagi

Primordial god of Shinto, known as 'he who invites'.

Kami

Spirits or gods in the Shinto religion.

Nihon Shoki

Historical chronicle of Japan, published in 720 CE.

Kojiki

The oldest surviving chronicle of Japanese history, written between 708 and 714 CE.

Kogoshui

A collection of oral traditions written around 807 CE.

Ama-no-hashidate

The bridge or stairway of heaven connecting heaven and earth.

Onogoro-shima

First island created by Izanami and Izanagi in the Japanese creation myth.

Hiruko

First child of Izanami and Izanagi, later identified as the god Ebisu.

Revenge of Izanagi

Izanagi avenged Izanami's death by killing the fire god, Kagutsuchi.

Yomi

The underworld in Japanese mythology.

Amaterasu

The sun goddess born from Izanagi's left eye.

Tsuki-yomi

The moon god born from Izanagi's right eye.

Susanoo

The storm god born when Izanagi washed his nose.

Shina-tsu-hiko

The god of wind born from Izanagi's breath.

The Eight Thunders

Entities that chased Izanagi out of the underworld.

Homusubi

Another name for the fire god Kagutsuchi, used during rituals.

Izanami's mistake

Izanami spoke first during the marriage ritual, leading to misfortune.

Kami-birth ritual

Cleansing ritual leading to the birth of various Shinto gods.

Eight principal islands

The eight main islands of Japan created by Izanami and Izanagi.

Harai

Cleansing practice in Shinto before entering a sacred shrine.

Kagutsuchi

The fire god whose birth caused Izanami's death.

God of the Sea

Oho-wata-tsu-mi, one of the children of Izanami and Izanagi.

God of the Trees

Kuku-no-shi, one of the children of Izanami and Izanagi.

God of the Mountains

Oho-yama tsu-mi, one of the children of Izanami and Izanagi.

Maternity in myths

The concept of childbirth leading to further creation of gods in Shinto.

Cleansing of Impurities

Ritual performed by Izanagi after returning from Yomi.

Chaos and Creation

Initial state of the ocean from which Japan's islands were formed.

Primordial gods

The first gods in Shinto mythology that created the world.

Cleansing rituals

Rituals important in Shinto to remove impurities.

Woto River

The river where Izanagi performed a cleansing ritual.

The spear

A tool used by Izanami and Izanagi to create the islands of Japan.

Seven invisible gods

The gods consulted by Izanami and Izanagi about their misfortunes.

Misfortune and Sacrifice

The consequences Izanami faced after childbirth.

Allegiance and Betrayal

Themes within the tale of Izanagi and Izanami.