The Kojiki - Izanagi, Izanami, and the Birth of Japan
© Wayne Kreger
This is the story of the Kojiki, the "Records of Ancient Matters", first published in Japan in 712 of the common era. It is creation mythology, and in it we will find elements common in other myths, as well as some things unique to Japanese tradition. In reading it you may likely find themes from Greek mythology - though there is not any scholarly evidence to indicate there was any transmission between the two societies, the similarities are striking.
Before there was anything else there was chaos, described as an ocean of oil - substance without form, action without order. From this sprang the original deities, known as the celestial gods and goddesses, which were born into the High Plain of Heaven (Takama no Hara). They were born as pairs - a woman and a man - and were at the same time both siblings and mates. The eighth primordial couple were named Izanagi and Izanami, the "Male-who-invites" and the "Female-who-invites". This would be the first couple to bear children.
The existing celestial beings commanded Izanagi and Izanami to create. The pair stood upon the Floating Bridge of Heaven and dipped a jeweled spear into the chaos beneath them. Together they churned the chaos, and when they pulled the spear from the brine the drops that fell formed the island of Onogoro, one of the Japanese islands. This was the generation of firmament.
Izanagi and Izanami descended to the island and built themselves a palace and a ceremonial pillar. They devised a wedding ritual, in which they would come around the pillar from opposite sides, recite a marriage vow, and join to produce children. They carried through the ritual, and when the time came to recite the marriage vows Izanami spoke first. The children produced from this initial union were the islands of Japan and the territorial spirits who governed them. Also born was Hiruko, the Leech-Child, a god that was deformed and rejected. The Celestials decided that because the woman Izanami spoke first at the wedding ritual their union was corrupted. The two performed the marriage again, this time having Izanagi speak first.
