To understand Japanese culture and its inheritance without the knowledge of Japanese mythology. I’ll write a series of 5 posts on the important myths. In this post let us see the birth of Japan. 合掌

Kojiki and Nihon Shoki

Japanese mythology is described in The Kojiki (『古事記』An Account of Ancient Matters) and The Nihon Shoki (『日本書紀』The Chronicles of Japan). Under the development of the national consciousness, both of them were compiled in order to announce the legitimacy of the Imperial Court. They are ones of the most important source of Japanese mythology and theology.

These books are compiled to legitimize the rule of the Imperial court. Some story imply what actually happened, especially the process of expanding its territory and rule.

The universe of our mythology is like this.

• The place we live in is Ashihara Nakatsu Kuni where Kunitsu Kami (Kami belong to Ashiranra Nakatsukuni) and us are in.
• Up above it, there is Takama no Hara where Amatsu Kami (Kami belong to Takama no Hara.
• And under Ashihara Nakatsu Kuni, there are Yomi no Kuni and Ne no Katasu Kuni.
• There is Ameno Ukihashi bridge between Takamano Hara and Ashihara Nakatsu Kuni connected Yomi no Kuni and Ne no Katasu Kuni by a place called Yomotsu Hirasaka.

The birth of Japan

In the beginning, the center of the universe was floating around. It was divided into Ten, the place located up above the world, and Chi, the ground. They are linked with a bridge called Ame no Ukihashi (天の浮橋).

The Kami in Takama no Hara (高天の原), a.k.a., Ten asked Izanaki (伊邪那岐) and Izanami (伊邪那美) to prepare Chi. They stuck a spear called Ameno Nuboko into the ocean. When they pull out the spear, the dewdrops made Onogoro Jima island. The island grew up to Ashihara Nakatsu Kuni (葦原中国), the archipelago we live in.

シカさん

Takama no Hara and Ashihara Nakatsu Kuni are not separated. There is Ame no Ukihashi bridge between them.

たけちよ

The island in front of Kinkakuji stands for Ashihra Nakatsu Kuni, i.e., Japan.

On the island, they married and had a child Kami named Hiruko. They put him on a boat and let the ocean brought him away because his body was “soft.”

七里ヶ浜親方

Don’t worry. A fisherman saved his life. Some years later, Hiruko came back to us as Ebisuten, the Buddhist deity. We call him Ebessan in Kansai dialect.

Gion Ebessan/Ebisu Fesitival 2026 at Yasaka shrine in Kyoto: 祇園えべっさん英語で説明

In 2026, Gion Ebessan/Ebisu festival takes place at Yasaka shrine. With lots of photos and video, you can learn about the festival like Ebessan boat and Seven Deities/Gods of fortune, etc.

kyotokankoyagi.com

2019.01.07

Izanaki and Izanami had many children (Of course they are Kami). When Izanami gave birth to Kami of fire, she passed away with the fire of her child.

He missed her wife so much and he visited Yomi no Kuni, the place of the deceased. He found her and asked her to come back to the place she once belonged to. She replied that she would see Kami of Yomi no Kuni to make sure whether she could come back there. Closing the door, she said to Izanaki not to open the door.

He couldn’t afford to wait and open the door to find her corpse covered with many maggots. She was ashamed of it and chase after him. He escaped narrowly and put a huge rock in front of the entrance of Yomi no Kuni.

He bathed in a stream to get rid of Kegare he saw in Yomi no Kuni.

シカさん

Kegare means an anemic state of mind. The dead body could be the maximum anemic state of mind. His bathing is the beginning of Misogi. When we visit Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples, we can experience an abbreviated one. Check out the link below.

What is Misogi and Harae? 禊と祓を英語で説明

Misogi and Harae is the ways to get rid of evilness in order to prepare for something sacred.  In this post, I'll show you what they are. 合掌

kyotokankoyagi.com

2023.12.31

First, he washed his left eye and Amaterasu Ohmikami (天照大御神), the Kami of the sun, was born. Next, he washed his right eye and Tsukuyomi no Mikoto (月読命), the Kami of night, was born. In the end, he washed his nose and Take Haya Susanoh no Mikoto (建速須佐之男命) was born. He asked them to rule Takama no Hara, the country of the moon, and the ocean respectively.

Next post

たけちよ

Let us see the conflicts between Amaterasu and Take Haya Susanoh and Iwato Gakure, BAAH!!!

Japanese mythology 2: Iwato Gakure, World without sun or Amaterasu Ohmikami

To under stand Japanese culture and its inheritance without the knowledge of Japanese mythology. In this post, let us see "Iwato Gkure," 合掌

kyotokankoyagi.com

2024.02.04

To under stand Japanese culture and its inheritance without the knowledge of Japanese mythology. I’ll write a series of 5 posts on the important myths. In this post, let us see “Iwato Gkure.” 合掌

Susanoh acts violently

As stated in the previous post, Izanaki asked Take Haya Susanoh no Mikoto (建速須佐之男命) to rule the ocean but he didn’t live up to the duty and cried over his deceased mother. Izanaki was so furious that he deprived Susanoh of the status of Kami and ousted him.

Susanoh decided to tell what happened to him to Amaterasu Ohmikami and leave Takama no Hara to see his mother.

When he went to Takama no Hara, it was shaken as though an earthquake occurred. Amaterasu misunderstood him and thought he would take Takama no Hara away from her by force.

To clear up the misunderstanding, they agreed to do Ukei. Ukei is a kind of oralce. They gave birth to Kami from the other’s belongings.

After the Ukei, Susanoh claimed he was an winner because three female Kami were born from his sword. Then he behaves violent all of a sudden.

七里ヶ浜親方

The following is important ones what he did. They are important because it tells what Tsumi is. Tsumi is usually translated as crime. Tsumi he made is:

シカさん

Rice cultivating is the most important for us. As told in Japanese mythology 5 (not yet written), the ancestor of emperor succeeded the rice cultivating Amaterasu did. In addition to it, his deeds have something to do with Misogi.

What is Misogi and Harae? 禊と祓を英語で説明

Misogi and Harae is the ways to get rid of evilness in order to prepare for something sacred.  In this post, I'll show you what they are. 合掌

kyotokankoyagi.com

2023.12.31

Amaterasu hides away

The origin of the Imperial Regalia

Due to his behavior, Amaterasu was scared to hide away into a huge cave called Ama no Iwato. She is Kami of the sun.The whole world was in complete darkness and “the evil spirits” were floating around in Takama no Hara. This incident is called “Iwato Gakure.”

All the Kami gathered to cope with the situation: Taking Amaterasu out of the cave. The following is the important ones they prepared.

シカさん

Magatama. They made a kind of wreath with them.

たけちよ

The mirror and Magatama are ones of San Syu no Jingi. San Syu no Jingi (Three Sacred Treasures) are the imperial Regalia consist of Yatano Kagami (八咫鏡), Yasaka Ni no Magatama (八尺瓊勾玉), and Kusanagi no Tsurugi (草薙剣).  The ones they prepared were the origins of Yakatano Kagami mirror and Yasaka Ni no Magatama. Kusanagi no Tusrugi was found in the belly of huge serpent by Susanoh. I’ll tell you the stroy in the next post.

七里ヶ浜親方

Like this.

They made Sakaki plant ornamented with the mirror and the wreath of the Magatama. It is Gohei. Gohei is a Yorishiro as described in this post and it originally used in this story.

Ame no Uzume lured Amaterasu out

Then, Ame no Uzume turned a bucked around and danced on it. She was almost in naked and other kami roared with laugh. Amaterasu wondered what happened. “What happened?”, she asked. Ame no Uzume replied, “There is a Kami greater than you. We are in pleasure.” Then other Kami showed the mirror to Amaterasu. She  found her face in the mirror. She came out of the cave slightly to make sure what was going on.

All of a sudden, a Kami called Tajikaraoh took her by the hand and pull her out of the cave. Then a Kami called Futodama put a Shimenaw rope over the entrance of the cave and said, “Do not enter the cave again.” The sun rose again.

Shimenawa is a rope with Shide. Shide (紙垂) is a gold zigzag shaped piece in the photo. It stands for thunder. Shide indicates sacredness as described in this post.

たけちよ

The dance of Ame no Uzume implies Mitama Furi. Mitama Furi is a way to come sprit alive. When we make a sprit come alive, we shake it. For example, sprit(s) of Kami is in Mikoshi in Matsuri and we shake the Mikoshi in order to come alive the sprit inside.

シカさん

Ame no Uzume danced on the bucked. It’s a metaphor of the cave Amaterasu was in. When she danced on it, Amaterasu was “shaken” inside. What Susanoh did worn her out and Ame no Uzume made her come alive. It is believed that Iwato Gakure implies a solar eclipse. The sun was weak and they believed they had to make come alive to see it again.

Next Post

たけちよ

Susanoh was ousted from Takama no Hara and he fights against a huge serpent to save his future wife. Don’t miss it. One of the most exciting story in Japanese mythology, BAAAH!!!

Japanese mytholgy 3: Kushinada Hime ends Susanoh's Odyssey

To under stand Japanese culture and its inheritance without the knowledge of Japanese mythology. In this post, let us see how Kushinada Hime put an end to Susanoh's odysesy. 合掌

kyotokankoyagi.com

2024.02.05

To under stand Japanese culture and its inheritance without the knowledge of Japanese mythology. I’ll write a series of 5 posts on the important myths. In this post, let us see how Kushinada Hime put an end to Susanoh’s odysesy. 合掌

Ousted from Takama no Hara

As described in the previous post, Amaterasu hid away into the cave and the world in a complete darkness. Other Kami managed to take her out of the cave and the sun rose again.

After the incident, Susanoh was ousted from Takama no Hara due to his behavior, or Tsumi he committed : Violating the social norm and the sacredness of Takama no Hara.

Other Kami asked him to hand in things to make up for what he did. They cut his nails and beard off.

シカさん

Ancient people thought they put their Tsumi into a part of their body they can remove. And they using it as a tool of getting rid of their Tsumi.

七里ヶ浜親方

This is the origin of Harae. Check out the link below.

What is Misogi and Harae? 禊と祓を英語で説明

Misogi and Harae is the ways to get rid of evilness in order to prepare for something sacred.  In this post, I'll show you what they are. 合掌

kyotokankoyagi.com

2023.12.31

He saw Kushinada Hime, his future wife

Ousted from Takama no Hara, he head for Ashihara Nakatsukuni, or the place known as Japan. Hre reached Izumo (Shiname Pref.) and strolled aorund. Then he found chopsticks floating in a river. He thought there was someone near there and walked along the river to find an old couple and their daughter sobering.

They are Kami lived in Ashihara Nakatsu Kuni.

たけちよ

Kami live in Takama no Hara is Amatsu Kami (天津神) and the ones live in is Kunitsu Kami (国津神).

Susanoh aksed the reason why they are crying.

The father explained, “We used to have eight daughters. A huge serpent called Yamata no Oroshi (八岐大蛇) lives near hear. Last seven years, we offered our daughters one by one as a sacrifice. This Kushinada Hime (櫛名田比売) is the only daughter left to us. And this year, we have to offer her to the serpent.”

シカさん

Yamata no Orochi is as huge as mountains, has 8 heads and 8 tails.

Susanoh asked him, “I understood. I’ll eliminate it. Then, would you allow me to marry your daughter if I could defeat the serpent?”

The father accepted his offer.

Susanoh transformed Kushinad Hime into a comb and stuck it to his hair and asked the couple, “Make strong Sake. And build a wall with eight entrances around your house. Put large bowls at the entrances and fill up the bowls with the Sake you made.”

Some time later, Yamata no Orochi appeared and started drinking the Sake and fell asleep. Susanoh cut its heads off and stubbed its tails to exterminate it.

七里ヶ浜親方

In the video, the one with a sword is Susanoh and the one in a white outfit is Kushinada Hime.  You can enjoy this Iwami Kagura performance at Gion Matsuri or Awata Matsuri.

Then, he found a sword in one of the tails. And he dedicated it to Amaterasu in Takama no Hara.

たけちよ

The sword he found is Kusanagi no Tachi (草那藝之大刀)/ Ameno Murakumo no Tsurugi (天叢雲剣). He dedicated the sword to Amaterasu and it became one of the three regalia stated in the previous post.

He composed the first Waka

Now Yamata no Orochi had one away and Susanoh married Kushinada Hime. They settled down in their new palace. He saw many clouds in the sky and composed the first Waka (和歌 Japanese poem) in Japan:

夜久毛多都　伊豆毛夜幣賀岐　都麻碁微爾　夜幣賀岐都久流　曾能夜幣賀岐袁

シカさん

Pronounciation: Yakumo Tatsu, Izumo Yaegaki, Tsumagomi ni, Yaegaki Tsukuru, Sono Yaegakiwo

たけちよ

It’s very hard to translate this even in modern Japanese. He sings the clouds looks like a walls build around the palace in order to save his wife from any bad luck.

お福さん

Waka is improtant for us. For example, Reiwa, the imperial era, was named after a Waka in the eighth century.

Next post

たけちよ

Okuni Nushi, a Susanoh’s descendant, gives up Ashihara Nakatsu Kuni to Takama no Hara. Don’t miss it. One of the most exciting story in Japanese mythology, BAAAH!!!

To under stand Japanese culture and its inheritance without the knowledge of Japanese mythology. I’ll write a series of 5 posts on the important myths. In this post, let us see how Okuninushi gave up Izumo to Amaterasu. 合掌

Okuninushi met a bunny

It’s been a long time since Susanoh and Kushinada Hime married (Check out the previous post). Okuninushi is one of his descendant. He had many brothers. They didn’t rule their country because they wanted to marry Yakami Hime. One day, they headed for Inaba (Tottori Pref.) to see her.

On the way to their destination, they found a rabbit without his skin and coat on a beach. They advised him, “Bath in the sea and lie down at the top of a high mountain. And you’d be healed.”

It didn’t work and his skin was damaged. The pain made him cry.

Then Okuninushi passed by. He wasn’t with his brother because he had a big bag with hit brother’s belongings in. They forced him to carry it taking advantage of his generosity.

He asked the rabbit, “Why are you crying? What happened?”

He replied, “I live in Oki island (located near the beach). I wanted to come here and cheated the sharks.  I made them line up from the island to this beach. I stepped on their heads one by one. When I stepped on the last one, I said I cheated them. Hearing that, it bit me and peel my skin and coat off. ” And he told him what his brothers did.

Okuninushi advised, “Wash yourself in the mouth of the river. You’ll find many Gama around there. Spread their pollen over the ground and roll around on them. You’ll regain your skin and coat.

お福さん

Gama is a plant the bunny has in his hands.

It worked well. He looked as used to be. He said to Okuninushi, “You’ll marry Yakami Hime. Your brother don’t.”

Okuninushi gave up Ashihara Kanatsu Kuni to Amaterasu

After the marriage, his brother killed him 2 times but he was reborn each time with the help other Kami. They didn’t stop pursue him and Kami of tree sent him to Ne no Taksu Kuni, the land of deceased, where Susanoh ruled.

Susanoh met Okuninushi, he found he was the best Kami in Ashihara Nakatsu Kuni. He forced many difficulities to him and he overcame all of them. Finally, he admitted he was deserved to rule Izumo, a.k.a., Ashihara Nakatsu Kuni.

Now that Takama no Hara was ruled by Amaterasu and Ne no Katasu Kuni was ruled her brother. Both of them are Amatsukami, the Kami of Takamanohara (Amatsukami).

On the other hand, Ashihara Nakatsu Kuni was ruled by Ohkuninushi, the Kami of Ashihara Nakatsu Kuni (Kunitsu Kami).

Amaterasu wanted Ashihara Nakatsu Kuni ruled by Amatsukami in order to rule the whole universe. She sent delegate to Ohkuninushi four times in vain.

In the end, she sent Take Mikazuchi (Kami of thunder and sword). They asked Okuninushi to give up his Ashihara Nakatsu Kuni to Amaterasu. He replied that he wanted to flow his sons’ decision. One of them accepted the proposal but the other, Take Minakata didn’t. All of a sudden, Take Mikazuchi took him by the hand and threw him away. The son was scared and ran away. Take Mikazuchi pursuit him to the lake Suwa and tried to kill him. Finally, he surrendered and promised he would never leave Suwa.

七里ヶ浜親方

Take Minakata is enshrined in Suwa Taisha shrine in Nagano.

At last, Okuninushi gave up Izumo to Amaterasu but he asked for a condition: He wanted an edifice.

シカさん

The edifice is Izumo Taisha in Shimane.

Next Post

たけちよ

Now that the whole universe is under the control of Amaterasu. She send a ruler of Ashihara Nakatsu Kuni. He is an ancestor of emperor.

Japanese mythology 5: 1st Emperor of Japan acceded the throne

In this post, let us see how the ancestor of Japanese emperor arrived at Japan and the first emperor acceded the throne. 合掌

kyotokankoyagi.com

2024.02.12

To under stand Japanese culture and its inheritance without the knowledge of Japanese mythology. I’ll write a series of 5 posts on the important myths. In this post, let us see how the ancestor of Japanese emperor arrived at Japan and the first emperor acceded the throne. 合掌

Tenson Korin: The ancestor of Japanese Emperor reached Japan

Amaterasu sent Ninigi to Ashihara Nakatsukuni

As stated in the previous post, Okuninushi gave up Ashihara Nakatsu Kuni to Amaterasu’s delegate and the universe is under the rule of her.? She sent Hono Ninigi no Mikoto (番能瓊瓊杵尊), her grand son, to Ashihara Nakatsukuni as its ruler.

たけちよ

Hono Ninigi no Mikoto, of course Amaterasu, are the ancestors of emperor of Japan.

When he left Takama no Hara, she gave him the Imperial Regalia: Yatano Kagami (八咫鏡), Yasaka Ni no Magatama (八尺瓊勾玉), and Kusanagi no Tsurugi (草薙剣).

Yatano Kagami, Yasaka Ni no Magatama are used to take her out of Ame no Iwato cave (See mythology 2) and Kusanagi no Tsurugi was dedicated to her by Susanoh (See mytholgy 3).

In 2019, Emperor Naruhito acceded the throne, he inherited them from his father, Akihito.

Ninigi brought rive cultivating to Ashihara Nakatsukuni

Ninigi took over the important work of Amaterasu did: Rice cultivating. Actually, Hono Ninigi means “Fertility of (ear of) Rice.” Her intention is to make a prosperous country with rice, our diet.

シカさん

It mean lot to us. Amaterasu’s rice cultivating is described as a precious deed. And the ancestor of Japanese emperor took it over. In addition to it, we make the same crop. Rice cultivation makes a triad and we are not separated from Amaterasu and emperor.

Kamu Yamato Iwarebiko acceded as the first emperor

Ninigi descended to Himuka in Ashihara Nakatsu Kuni to settle down. Kamu Yamato Iwarebiko, his great grand son, headed for the East capturing many regions. Finally, he acceded as the first emperor at Kashihara no Miya palace on February 11, 660 B.C.

七里ヶ浜親方

Kashihara Jingu shrine is located in the place where the palace used to be. The day is National Foundation day and many people celebrated the foundation of our country.

Kigen Sai 2026: Kashihara Jingu celebrates the birth of Japan 橿原神宮の紀元祭英語で説明

Kigensai festival (紀元祭) is a ritual to celebrate the birth of Japan. According to Nihon Shoki,『日本書記』Emperor Jinmu (神武天皇) became the 1st emperor of Japan in 660 B.C. at a place known as Kashihara Jingu shrine today. In this article, you can learn about how Japan started and Kigensai.

kyotokankoyagi.com

2021.01.30

Summery

In the series of five post, I described the myths in Japanese mythology. As stated in the 1st post, our mythology was compiled to legitimize the rule of the Imperial court. Some story imply what actually happened. For example, the story of Okuni Nushi suggests how the Imperial court captured Izumo or other region.

I chose the important story as basic knowledge to enjoy Japan, especially Kyoto. I hope you enjoyed them. Thanks for reading. 合掌