Tracing Japanese Mythology
The deities enshrined at Japan's shrines are the figures of its myths. Visit after reading their stories, and the view beyond the torii gate looks a little different. Here are the tales of the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, each with a guide to the shrines connected to it.
The Parting of Heaven and Earth and the Three Deities of Creation — The Three Pillars of the Beginning
At the beginning, when heaven and earth parted, three deities appeared in Takamanohara: Ame-no-Minakanushi no Kami, Takamimusuhi no Kami, and Kamimusuhi no Kami. The story of the Three Deities of Creation — hitorigami (single deities) who showed no form and straightway hid themselves, yet are revered as the wellspring from which all things are born.
Kuniumi, the Birth of the Land — Izanagi and Izanami
At the beginning of heaven and earth, the two gods Izanagi no Mikoto and Izanami no Mikoto stirred the sea with the jeweled spear of heaven and descended upon the island of Onogoro. The creation story in which the wedded gods bore the islands of Japan, beginning with Awaji, and a multitude of deities.
The Land of Yomi and the Purification — The Birth of the Three Noble Children
Izanagi no Mikoto went down to the land of Yomi in pursuit of his departed wife. Fleeing from her changed form, he spoke an eternal farewell at the slope of Yomotsu Hirasaka. A story of renewal, in which the purification that cleanses defilement gives birth to the three noble children: Amaterasu Ōmikami, Tsukuyomi no Mikoto, and Susanoo no Mikoto.
The Opening of the Heavenly Rock Cave — The Origin of the Festival That Broke the Darkness
Grieved by the violence of Susanoo no Mikoto, Amaterasu Ōmikami hid within the heavenly rock cave, and the world was wrapped in darkness. The eight hundred myriad gods gathered their wisdom, and the dance of Ame-no-Uzume no Mikoto and the gods' laughter opened the rock door. A story handed down as the origin of Japan's festivals.
Yamata-no-Orochi — The Rebirth of Susanoo
Driven from Takamanohara, Susanoo no Mikoto met in the land of Izumo an old couple whose daughters had been taken year after year by the eight-forked serpent, and the maiden Kushinadahime. Slaying the serpent by wit and sword, winning the sword Kusanagi from its tail and the princess for his wife — a story of the rebirth of a raging god.
Ōkuninushi's Making of the Land and the White Hare of Inaba
The kind-hearted Ōkuninushi, who saved the White Hare of Inaba, twice loses his life to the persecution of his eighty brothers, yet is restored by the power of Kamimusuhi no Kami, one of the Three Deities of Creation. The story leads on through the making of the land with Sukunabikona no Kami to the founding of Ōmiwa Jinja, where Ōmononushi no Ōkami is enshrined upon Mount Miwa.
Kuniyuzuri, the Ceding of the Land — Takemikazuchi and Kotoshironushi
That the heavenly grandchild might rule Ashihara-no-Nakatsukuni, Amaterasu Ōmikami sends the war god Takemikazuchi-no-O no Kami to Izumo. Through the consent of Kotoshironushi no Kami and the trial of strength with Takeminakata no Kami, Ōkuninushi no Kami yields the land in exchange for the building of a grand palace.
Tenson Kōrin, the Heavenly Descent — Sarutahiko, Who Opened the Way
Ninigi no Mikoto, grandchild of Amaterasu Ōmikami, descends upon Takachiho bearing the Three Sacred Regalia. Waiting for the company at the eightfold crossroads of heaven was the earthly god Sarutahiko Ōkami. The story of the god of michihiraki, the opening of the way, who named himself boldly and served as guide.
Konohana-no-Sakuyabime — Goddess of the Cherry Blossom and Mount Fuji
Konohana-no-Sakuyabime, beloved of Ninigi no Mikoto at Cape Kasasa. The contrast with her elder sister Iwanagahime tells the origin of the emperors' mortal span, and to clear herself of suspicion she bears her children in a burning hut. The story of the princess revered as goddess of the cherry blossom and of Mount Fuji.
Umisachihiko and Yamasachihiko — The Beginning of the Dragon Palace
Yamasachihiko, having lost his brother's fishhook, crosses to the palace of the sea god by the guidance of Shiotsuchi no Kami and is joined with Toyotamabime. The two jewels that command the tides, the form of the great eight-fathom wani seen in the birthing-hut, Tamayoribime who reared the child — a story of the sea held to be the prototype of the Ryūgū legend.
Jinmu's Eastern Expedition and the Yatagarasu — The Binding of the Story of Musuhi
Kamuyamato Iwarebiko no Mikoto sets out from Takachiho; struck down by poisonous vapors in Kumano, he is saved by the sacred sword Futsu-no-Mitama and the guidance of the Yatagarasu, enters Yamato, and becomes Emperor Jinmu, the first sovereign. The binding close of the stories through which the Three Deities of Creation worked on behind the scenes.