Izanaki and his sister Izanami got married, and bore the islands and a great many deities. But she bore the Fire-Deity Kagutsuchi and died soon. So he killed Kagutsuchi, and he went to the Yomi-no-Kuni (Hades-Land) to meet her, but he ran away to see his wife now dead and ugliness. Therefore he performed Misogi (rite-of-puriffication) in the water, and begot three noble deities, Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and Susanowo.
At the origin of Heaven and Earth, the names of the deities who came into
being in Takama-no-Hara(*1) were Ame-no-Minakanushi-no-Kami(**1), next Takami-Musuhi-no-Kami(**2), next Kamu-Musuhi-no-Kami(**3).
These three deities were the single existence each, and did not show their
figures.
Next, when the country was floating like oil and drifting like a jellyfish
because the country had not solidified, the names of the deities who came
into being from a thing which sprouted up like a reed-shoot were Umashi-Ashikabi-Hikodi-no-Kami(**4), next Ame-no-Tokotachi-no-Kami(**5).
These two deities were likewise the single existence each, and did not
show their figures.
These five deities are the Special Ama-tsu-Kami(*2).
Next, the names of the deities who came into being were Kuni-no-Tokotachi-no-Kami(**6), next Toyokumono-no-Kami(**7).
These two deities were likewise the single existence each, and did not
show their figures.
Next, the names of the deities who came into being were Uhijini-no-Kami(**8), next his imo(*3) Suhijini-no-Kami,
next Tsunoguhi-no-Kami(**9), next his imo Ikuguhi-no-Kami, 2 deities,
next Ohotonoji-no-Kami(**10), next his imo Ohotonobe-no-Kami,
next Omodaru-no-Kami(**11), next his imo Ayakashikone-no-Kami,
next Izanaki-no-Kami(**12), next his imo Izanami-no-Kami.
These deities from Kuni-no-Tokotachi-no-Kami to Izanami-no-Kami were called the Seven Generations of the Gods Age.
The two single deities(**6, 7) are counted as one generation respectively.
The following ten deities are counted as one generation for two deities.
| The Notes | ||
| *1 | Takama-no-Hara | The-Plain-of-High-Heaven. This is Heaven of the ancient Japan, and the heavenly-deities dwell. |
| *2 | Ama-tsu-Kami | The-Heavenly-Deities. |
| *3 | imo | The younger-sister or the wife. This is the archaic word. |
| The Deities | ||
| **1 | Ame-no- Minakanushi |
The-August-Deity-of-Master-of-Center-of-Heaven. Ame-no means ''heavenly'', Mi is a praise word like ''august'', Naka means ''the center, the middle'', Nushi means ''a master, a ruler'', Kami means ''the deity, the god''. |
| **2 | Takami-Musuhi (Takami-Musubi) |
The-August-Deity-of-High-Productivity. Taka means ''high'', Mi is a praise word like ''august'', Musuhi means ''growth, produce, generate, create''. This deity appears as the leader of heavenly-deities in after tales. |
| **3 | Kamu-Musuhi (Kami-Musubi) |
The-Deity-of-Divine-Productivity. Kamu means ''divine''. This deity appears as the mother goddess of earthly-deities in after tales. |
| **4 | Umashi- Ashikabi-Hikodi |
The-Splendid-Prince-Deity-of-Reed-Shoot. This is the first deity which came into being spontaneously from the chaotic world. |
| **5 | Ame-no-Tokotachi | The-Deity-of-Base-of-Heaven. |
| **6 | Kuni-no-Tokotachi | The-Deity-of-Base-of-Earth. Kuni means ''earth, a country, a land, the ground''. In Nihon-Shoki (Nihongi) which is the principal chronicles of the traditional histories, this deity is the original deity who came into being first from the chaotic world. |
| **7 | Toyokumono | The-Deity-of-Vast(Fertile)-Cloud-Field(Plain). |
| **8 | Uhijini | The-Deity-of-Mud-Soil. |
| Suhijini | The-Deity-of-Sand-Soil. | |
| **9 | Tsunoguhi | The-Deity-of-Horn-Stake. |
| Ikuguhi | The-Deity-of-Lively-Stake. | |
| **10 | Ohotonoji | The-Male-Deity-of-Large-Place. |
| Ohotonobe | The-Female-Deity-of-Large-Place. | |
| **11 | Omodaru | The-Deity-of-Complete-Ground. |
| Ayakashikone | The-Detiy-of-Very-Gracious. | |
| **12 | Izanaki (Izanagi) |
The-Inviting-Male-Deity or The-Sacred-Deity-of-Calm. This deity is the Creator who begot many islands and many deities with Izanami, and he vegot three honorable deitis (Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, Susanowo) by himself. |
| Izanami | The-Inviting-Female-Deity or The-Sacred-Deity-of-Wave. This deity bore many islands and many deities with Izanaki. But she was killed in a burn on pubic region, because she bore Fire-Deity, and then she became the goddess of Yomi-no-Kuni (Hades-land). | |
Then, all the Ama-tsu-Kami (heavenly-deities) commanded that Izanaki-no-Mikoto(**1) and Izanami-no-Mikoto should regulate and curdle this drifting land, and gave the Ame-no-Nu-Boko (heavenly-jewelled-spear) and entrusted so.
Wherefore, the two deities stood upon the Ame-no-Uki-Hashi (heavenly-floating-bridge), and thrust down the jewelled-spear and stirred
with it. When they stirred it sounding koworo-koworo(*1) and pulled out it, the salt-water which dripped from the end of the
spear was piled up, and became an island. This is the island of Onogoro(*2).
| The notes | ||
| *1 | koworo-koworo | This word is a onomatopoeia. Japanese language has many onomatopoeias. For example, it is raining potsu-potsu, it is raining zaa-zaa, it is raining shito-shito and others. |
| *2 | Onogoro-Jima | This is the mythical island. |
| The deities | ||
| **1 | Izanaki | Mikoto is a title of honor like Kami, and it used for a person besides a deity. (Refer to 02-1) |
| Izanami | ||
They descended onto this island from Heaven, and erected the Ama-no-Mihashira (heavenly-august-pillar), and built a large palace.
Then, he asked his younger-sister Izanami-no-Mikoto(**1), "How is your body formed?" and she answered, "My
body has already formed, but has one insufficient region."
So Izanaki-no-Mikoto(**2) said, "My body has already formed, and has one surplus region,
and so I would like to insert your insufficient region with my surplus
region, and give birth to the soil (land). How about bearing?" and
Izanami-no-Mikoto answered, "That's good."
So Izanaki-no-Mikoto said, "If so, let us meet and have conjugal intercourse after going
around this heavenly-pillar."
They promised so, and he said at once, "Thou, go around from the right
and meet me. I will go around from the left and meet you."
When they went around and met, Izanami-no-Mikoto said first, "Oh, what a splendid man!" and next, Izanaki-no-Mikoto said, "Oh, what a splendid woman!"
But after finishing saying so each, he said to his yonger-sister, "It
is not good that woman spoke first."
Nevertheless, they had intercourse and gave birth to the child Hiruko(**3). They put this child into a reed-boat and floated it away.
Next, they gave birth to Aha-Shima(**4). This child also was not reckoned as one of their children.
So the two deities talked over and said, "The children to whom we
have given birth were not good. Therefore we should go to the place of
the Ama-tsu-Kami (heavenly-deities) in order to report it."
At once, they went up together and asked advice of the heavenly-deities.
Then the heavenly-deities commanded them to find out the reason by Futomani(*1), and said, "It was not good because woman spoke first. Go back
down and say over again."
Wherefore, they went back down and went around the heavenly-pillar again
as they had gone before. Then, Izanaki-no-Mikoto said first, "Oh, what a splendid woman!" and next, his younger-sister
Izanami-no-Mikoto said, "Oh, what a splendid man!"
| The notes | ||
| *1 | Futomani | This is one of the ancient divination to tell fortune by burning the bone. |
| The deities | ||
| **1 | Izanaki | (Refer to 02-1) |
| **2 | Izanami | |
| **3 | Hiruko | The-Leech-Child. This is one of an imperfect child. |
| **4 | Aha-Shima | The-Bubble-Island. This is one of an imperfect child also. |
They finished saying so and had intercourse, the child to whom they gave
birth was the island of Ahaji-no-Honosa-Wake-no-Shima(**1).
Next, they gave birth to the island of Iyo-no-Futana-no-Shima(**2). This island has one body and four faces, and each face has a name:
Iyo Province is called E-Hime.
Sanuki Province is called Ihiyori-Hiko.
Aha Province is called Ohogetsu-Hime.
Tosa Province is called Takeyori-Wake.
Next, they gave birth to the island of Oki-no-Mitsugo-no-Shima(**3) whose another name was Ame-no-Oshikoro-Wake.
Next, they gave birth to the island of Tsukushi-no-Shima(**4). This island also has one body and four faces, and each face has
a name:
Tsukushi Province is called Shirahi-Wake.
Toyo Province is called Toyohi-Wake.
Hi Province is called Takehimukahi-Toyokujihine-Wake.
Kumaso Province is called Takehi-Wake.
Next, they gave birth to the island of Iki-no-Shima(**5) whose another name was Ame-Hitotsubashira.
Next, they gave birth to the island of Tsu-Shima(**6) whose another name was Ame-no-Sadeyori-Hime.
Next, they gave birth to the island of Sado-no-Shima(**7).
Next, they gave birth to the island of Oho-Yamato-Toyo-Akidzu-Shima(**8) whose another name was Ama-tsu-Misora-Toyo-Akidzune-Wake.
Thus, eight islands were born first, therefore the country is called the
Oho-Yashima-no-Kuni (land-of-eight-great-islands)(*1).
When they had returned after so, they gave birth to the island of Kibi-no-Kojima(**9) whose another name was Takehikata-Wake.
Next, they gave birth to the island of Adzuki-Shima(**10) whose another name was Ohonode-Hime.
Next, they gave birth to the island of Oho-Shima(**11) whose another name was Ohotamaru-Wake.
Next, they gave birth to the island of Hime-Shima(**12) whose another name was Ame-Hitotsune.
Next, they gave birth to the island of Chika-no-Shima(**13) whose another name was Ame-no-Oshiwo.
Next, they gave birth to the island of Futago-no-Shima(**14) whose another name was Ame-Futaya.
There were six islands in all from Kibi-no-Kojima to Ame-Futaya-no-Shima.
| The notes | ||
| *1 | Oho-Yashima-no-Kuni | The-Land-of-Eight-Great-Islands. This is one of the name of Japan in ancient times. |
| The deities | |||
| **1 | Ahaji-no-Honosa-Wake-no-Shima | Now Awaji (Awajishima). Ho-no-Sa-Wake is another name. | |
| **2 | Iyo-no-Futana-no-Shima | Now Shikoku. Iyo is one of the province (country) in Shikoku, Futana means ''two ranks, two pairs''. | |
| Iyo | E-Hime | Now Ehime Prefecture. The-Lovely-Princess. This name is a pair with Takeyori-Wake. | |
| Sanuki | Ihiyori-Hiko | Now Kagawa Prefecture. The-Food-Prince. This name is a pair with Ohogetsu-Hime. | |
| Aha | Ohogetsu-Hime | Now Tokushima Prefecture. The-Great-Food-Princess. This name is a pair with Ihiyori-Hiko. And the name of Aha means ''a foxtail millet''. | |
| There is another description of the birth of this (same name) deity in the following tale. | |||
| Tosa | Takeyori-Wake | Now Kouchi Prefecture. The-Brave-Male. This name is a pair with E-hime. | |
| **3 | Oki-no-Mitsugo-no-Shima (Ame-no-Oshikoro-Wake) |
Now Oki (Oki-no-shima). Mi-tsu-Go means ''triplets''. This island consists of two islands, and the one of them consists of three islands. The meaning of another name is unknown. | |
| **4 | Tsukushi-no-Shima | Now Kyushu. Tsukushi is one of the province in Kyushu. | |
| Tsukushi | Shirahi-Wake | Now Fukuoka Prefecture. The-White-Sun. | |
| Toyo | Toyohi-Wake | Now Ooita Prefecture. The-Fertile-Sun. | |
| Hi | Takehi-Mukahi- Toyokujihine-Wake |
Now Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Saga Prefecture. The-Brave-Sun-and-Face-to-the-Sun-and-Fertile-Mystic-Spirit. | |
| Kumaso | Takehi-Wake | Now southern Kyushu. The-Brave-Sun. | |
| **5 | Iki-no-Shima (Ame-Hitotsubashira) |
Now Iki. The-Heavenly-One-Pillar. | |
| **6 | Tsu-Shima (Ame-no-Sadeyori-Hime) |
Now Tsushima. The meaning of another name is unknown. | |
| **7 | Sado-no-Shima | Now Sado (Sadogashima). | |
| **8 | Oho-Yamato- Toyo-Akidzu-Shima (Ama-tsu-Misora- Toyo-Akidzune-Wake) |
Yamato Province (now Nara Prefecture) or now Kinki District (centering around Yamato Province) or now Honshu (the Mainland of Japan). Yamato is the province name, and is also the name of Japan. And Akidzu is the place-name in Yamato Province, and is also the name of Japan in ancient times. | |
| This name means The-Island-of-Fertile-Akidzu-of-Great-Yamato. And another name means The-Fertile-Akidzu-of-Heavenly-August-Splendid-Sky. | |||
| **9 | Kibi-no-Kojima (Takehikata-Wake) |
Now Kojima Peninsula of Okayama Prefecture. This peninsula was an island in ancient times. The meaning of another name is unknown. | |
| **10 | Adzuki-Shima (Ohonode-Hime) |
Now Shoudoshima of Kagawa Prefecture. The meaning of another name is unknown. | |
| **11 | Oho-Shima (Ohotamaru-Wake) |
It is thought that this is now Ooshima (Yashirojima) of Yamaguchi Prefecture. The meaning of another name is unknown. | |
| **12 | Hime-Shima (Ame-Hitotsune) |
It is thought that this is now Himeshima of Ooita Prefecture. Another name means The-Heavenly-One-Root. | |
| **13 | Chika-no-Shima (Ame-no-Oshiwo) |
Now Gotou Islands of Nagasaki Prefecture. Another name means The-Consists-of-Many-Islands. | |
| **14 | Futago-no-Shima (Ame-Futaya) |
It is thought that this is now Danjo Islands located in a south direction of Gotou Islands. The meaning of another name is unknown. | |
| RED NUMBER is eight great islands. BLUE NUMBER is six little islands. |
 |
||
After they had finished giving birth to the land, they gave birth to deities
more.
Then, they gave birth to Ohokoto-Oshiwo-no-Kami(**1), next Ihatsuchi-Biko-no-Kami(**2), next Ihasu-Hime-no-Kami, next Ohotohi-Wake-no-Kami(**3), next Ame-no-Fukiwo-no-Kami(**4), next Ohoya-Biko-no-Kami(**5), next Kazamotsu-Wake-no-Oshiwo-no-Kami(**6), next Sea-Deity whose name was Oho-Watatsumi-no-Kami(**7), next Estuary-Deity whose name was Hayaaki-tsu-Hiko-no-Kami(**8), next his younger sister Hayaaki-tsu-Hime-no-Kami.
There were 10 deities in all from Ohokoto-Oshiwo-no-Kami to Hayaaki-tsu-Hime-no-Kami.
These two deities, Hayaaki-tsu-Hiko and Hayaaki-tsu-Hime, took partial charge of river and the sea respectively, and gave birth
to Awanagi-no-Kami(**9), next Awanami-no-Kami, next Tsuranagi-no-Kami(**10), next Tsuranami-no-Kami, next Ame-no-Mikumari-no-Kami(**11), next Kuni-no-Mikumari-no-Kami, next Ame-no-Kuhizamochi-no-Kami(**12), next Kuni-no-Kuhizamochi-no-Kami.
There were 8 deities in all from Awanagi-no-Kami to Kuni-no-Kuhizamochi-no-Kami.
Next, they gave birth to the Wind-Deity whose name was Shina-tsu-Hiko-no-Kami(**13), next Tree-Deity whose name was Kukunochi-no-Kami(**14), next Mountain-Deity whose name was Oho-Yamatsumi-no-Kami(**15), next Grass-Deity whose name was Kayano-Hime-no-Kami(**16), and another name was Nodzuchi-no-Kami.
There were 4 deities in all from Shina-tsu-Hiko-no-Kami to Nodzuchi-no-Kami.
These two deities, Oho-Yamatsumi-no-Kami and Nodzuchi-no-Kami, took partial charge of mountain and grass respectively, and gave birth
to Ame-no-Sadzuchi-no-Kami(**17), next Kuni-no-Sadzuchi-no-Kami, next Ame-no-Sagiri-no-Kami(**18), next Kuni-no-Sagiri-no-Kami, next Ame-no-Kurato-no-Kami(**19), next Kuni-no-Kurato-no-Kami, next Ohoto-Matohiko-no-Kami(**20), next Ohoto-Matohime-no-Kami.
There were 8 deities in all from Ame-no-Sadzuchi-no-Kami to Ohoto-Matohime-no-Kami.
Next they gave birth to Tori-no-Ihakusufune-no-Kami(**21) whose another name was Ame-no-Torifune, next Ohogetsu-Hime-no-Kami(**22), next Hi-no-Yagihayawo-no-Kami(**23) whose other names were Hi-no-Kagabiko-no-Kami, Hi-no-Kagutsuchi-no-Kami.
Therefore she burned her pubic region with bearing this child, and sickened
and lay down.
The names of the deities who came into being from her then vomit were Kanayama-Biko-no-Kami(**24), next Kanayama-Bime-no-Kami.
Next, the name of the deities who came into being from her then excrement
were Haniyasu-Biko-no-Kami(**25), next Haniyasu-Bime-no-Kami.
Next, the names of the deities who came into being from her then urine
were Mitsuhanome-no-Kami(**26), next Waku-Musuhi-no-Kami(**27) whose child was Toyouke-Bime-no-Kami(**28).
Therefore, Izanami-no-Kami(**29) died by bearing the Fire-deity in the last.
There were 8 deities in all(*1) from Ame-no-Torifune to Toyouke-Hime-no-Kami
The two deities, Izanaki and Izanami, gave birth to 14 islands and 35 deities in all(*2).
These are the deities whom they gave birth to till her death. But Onogoro-Jima(*3) was not given birth by them. Hiruko(**30) and Aha-Shima were not reckoned as their children.
| The notes | ||
| *1 | 8 deities in all | 8 pairs (10 deities). |
| *2 | 14 islands and 35 deities in all | There are 40 deities in all. (There are 17 deities to whom Izanaki and Izanami actually gave birth.) |
| *3 | Onogoro-Jima | (Refer to 02-2) |
| The deities | |||
| **1 | Ohokoto-Oshiwo | The-(First)-Male-Deity-of-(Following)-Great-Many-(Deities)? | |
| **2 | Ihatsuchi-Biko | The-Price-Deity-of-Rock-Soil. | |
| Ihasu-Hime | The-Princess-Deity-of-Rock-Sand. | ||
| **3 | Ohotohi-Wake | The-Deity-of-Great-Place or The-Deity-of-Great-Door. | |
| **4 | Ame-no-Fukiwo | The-Thatching-Male-Deity-of-Heaven. | |
| **5 | Ohoya-Biko | The-Prince-Deity-of-Great-House. | |
| **6 | Kazamo-tsu-Wake-no-Oshiwo | Unknown. It is thought the deity of wind. | |
| **7 | Sea-Deity | Oho-Watatsumi | The-Deity-of-Great-Sea-Spirit. |
| **8 | Estuary- Deity |
Hayaaki-tsu-Hiko | These are the deities related to MIisogi (the Shintoism rite of purification in the water), and swallow up impurity (evil) with water of a river to purify it. |
| Hayaaki-tsu-Hime | |||
| **9 | Awanagi | The-Male-Deity-of-Bubble or The-Deity-of-Calm-Bubble. | |
| Awanami | The- Female-Deity-of-Bubble or The-Deity-of-Wave-Bubble. | ||
| **10 | Tsuranagi | The-Male-Deity-of-Water-Surface or The-Deity-of-Calm-Surface. | |
| Tsuranami | The-Female-Deity-of-Water-Surface or The-Deity-of-Wave-Surface. | ||
| **11 | Ame-no-Mikumari | The-Heavenly-Deity-of-Divided-Water. | |
| Kuni-no-Mikumari | The-Earthly-Deity-of-Divided-Water. | ||
| **12 | Ame-no-Kuhizamochi | The-Heavenly-Deity-Having-Gourd. | |
| Kuni-no-Kuhizamochi | The-Earthly-Deity-Having-Gourd. | ||
| **13 | Wind-Deity | Shina-tsu-Hiko | The-Prince-Deity-of-Wind. |
| **14 | Tree-Deity | Kukunochi | The-Deity-of-Stem-Spirit. |
| **15 | Mountain- Deity |
Oho-Yamatsumi | The-Deity-of-Great-Mountain-Spirit. This deity appears in after tails. |
| **16 | Grass- Deity |
Kayano-Hime (Nodzuchi) |
The-Princess-Deity-of-Grass (for thathing a roof). Another name means The-Deity-of-Grass(Plain)-Spirit. |
| **17 | Ame-no-Sadzuchi | The-Heavenly-Deity-of-Soil. | |
| Kuni-no-Sadzuchi | The-Earthly-Deity-of-Soil. | ||
| **18 | Ame-no-Sagiri | The-Heavenly-Deity-of-Fog. | |
| Kuni-no-Sagiri | The-Earthly-Deity-of-Fog. | ||
| **19 | Ame-no-Kurato | The-Heavenly-Deity-of-Ravine. | |
| Kuni-no-Kurato | The-Earthly-Deity-of-Ravine. | ||
| **20 | Ohoto-Matohiko | The-Male-Deity-Lost-in-Great-Place. | |
| Ohoto-Matohime | The-Female-Deity-Lost-in-Great-Place. | ||
| **21 | Tori-no-Ihakusufune (Ame-no-Torifune) |
The-Deity-of-Strongly-Camphor wood-Vessel-as-Bird. Another name means The-Heavenly-Bird-Vessel. | |
| **22 | Ohogetsu-Hime | The-Princess-Deity-of-Great-Food. There is another description of the birth of this (same name) deity in the front tale, as the name of Aha Province. In after tale, this deity is killed. | |
| **23 | Hi-no-Yagihayawo (Hi-no-Kagabiko) (Hi-no-Kagutsuchi) |
The-Male-Deity-of-Burning-Fire, next The-Prince-Deity-of-Shining-Fire, next The-deity-of-Shining-Fire-Spirit. |
|
| **24 | from vomit |
Kanayama-Biko | The-Prince-Deity-of-Mine. |
| Kanayama-Bime | The-Princess-Deity-of-Mine. | ||
| **25 | from excrement |
Haniyasu-Biko | The-Prince-Deity-of-Clay. |
| Haniyasu-Bime | The-Princess-Deity-of-Clay. | ||
| **26 | from urine |
Mitsuha-no-Me | The-Female-Deity-of-Water. |
| **27 | Waku-Musuhi | The-Young-Productivity-Deity. This is the deity of food (cereals). | |
| **28 | Toyouke-Bime (-Hime) | The-Princess-Deity-of-Fertile-Food. This deity is enshrined at the Ise Shrine which is one of the most famous shrine in Japan. | |
| **29 | Izanami | (Refer to 02-1) | |
| Izanaki | |||
| **30 | Hiruko | (Refer to 02-2) | |
| Ahashima | |||
Wherefore, Izanaki-no-Mikoto(**1) said, "What an unexpected matter that one child should replace
my lovely wife!" At once, he wailed crouching down around her pillow
and around her feet, then the name of the deity who came into being from
his then tears was Nakisahame-no-Kami(**2) who dwelt at Konomoto(*1) on hilltop near the foot of Mt.Kagu(*2).
And, he buried Izanami-no-Kami on Mt.Hiba(*3) at the boundary of Idzumo Province(*4) and Hahaki Province(*5).
Then, Izanaki-no-Mikoto drew the Totsuka-no-Tsurugi (ten-fists-length-sword) on which he girt, and cut off the head of his
child Kagutsuchi-no-Kami(**3).
Just then, the blood which adhered to the tip of the sword splashed on
divine rocks, and the names of the deities who came into being from this
then blood were Ihasaku-no-Kami(**4), next Nesaku-no-Kami, next Iha-Tsutsunowo-no-Kami. 3 deities.
Next, the blood which adhered to the bottom of the sword splashed on divine
rocks likewise, and the names of the deities who came into being from this
then blood were Mikahayahi-no-Kami(**5), next Hihayahi-no-Kami, next Take-Mikadzuchi-no-Wo-no-Kami(**6) whose other names were Takefutsu-no-Kami, Toyofutsu-no-Kami. 3 deities.
Next, the blood which stood on the hilt of the sword seeped from between
his fingers, and the names of the deities who came into being from this
then blood were Kura-Okami-no-Kami(**7), next Kura-Mitsuha-no-Kami.
These eight deities in all from Ihasaku-no-Kami to Kura-Mitsuha-no-Kami were the deities who were born by the sword.
Then the name of the deity who came into being from the head region of
Kagutsuchi-no-Kami was Masaka-Yamatsumi-no-Kami(**8).
Next, the name of the deity who came into being from his chest region was
Odo-Yamatsumi-no-Kami.
Next, the name of the deity who came into being from his abdominal region
was Oku-Yamatsumi-no-Kami.
Next, the name of the deity who came into being from his pubic region was
Kura-Yamatsumi-no-Kami.
Next, the name of the deity who came into being from his left arm was Shigi-Yamatsumi-no-Kami.
Next, the name of the deity who came into being from his right arm was
Ha-Yamatsumi-no-Kami.
Next, the name of the deity who came into being from his left leg was Hara-Yamatsumi-no-Kami.
Next, the name of the deity who came into being from his right leg was
To-Yamatsumi-no-Kami.
There are 8 deities in all from Masaka-Yamatsumi-no-Kami to To-Yamatsumi-no-Kami.
So the name of the sword with which he cut off was Ame-no-Wohabari(**9) whose another name was Itsu-no-Wohabari.
| The notes | ||
| *1 | Konomoto | This is a place name (meant under-the-tree). |
| *2 | Mt.Kagu (Kagu-Yama) |
This is a famous little mountain in Nara Prefecture. This is one of the Yamato-Three-Mountains, and many people often composed a Japanese-short-poem about these mountains in ancient times. |
| *3 | Mt.Hiba (Hiba-no-Yama) |
This mountain is in Shimane Prefecture. In Nihon-Shoki (Nihongi), it is written that Izanami was buried in Arima village, Kumano, Kii Province. |
| *4 | Idzumo Province | Now Shimane Prefecture. This Province is the main domain of Ashihara-Naka-tsu-Kuni (ground-land) dwelt the earthly-deities. |
| *5 | Hahaki Province | Now Tottori Prefecture. |
| The deities | ||
| **1 | Izanaki | (Refer to 02-1) |
| Izanami | ||
| **2 | Nakisahame | The-Weeping-Female-Deity. This is the deity of well water. |
| **3 | Kagutsuchi | (Refer to 02-5) |
| **4 | Ihasaku | The-Deity-Rending-Rock. |
| Nesaku | The-Deity-Rending-Base-Rock. | |
| Iha-Tsutsunowo | Unknown. The-Male-Deity-of-Rock-Spirit? | |
| **5 | Mika-Hayahi | The-Deity-of-Thunder-Power. |
| Hi-Hayahi | The-Deity-of-Fire-Power. | |
| **6 | Take-Mikadzuchi-no-Wo (Takefutsu) (Toyofutsu) |
The-Male-Deity-of-Brave-Thunder, next The-Brave-Sword-Power? next The-Fertile-Sword-Power? |
| **7 | Kura-Okami | The-Snake-Deity-of-Ravine. |
| Kura-Mitsuha | The-Water-Deity-of-Ravine | |
| **8 | Masaka-Yamatsumi | The-Deity-of-Slope-of-Mountain. |
| Odo-Yamatsumi | Unknown. | |
| Oku-Yamatsumi | The-Deity-of-Depth-of-Mountain. | |
| Kura-Yamatsumi | The-Deity-of-Ravine-of-Mountain. | |
| Shigi-Yamatsumi | The-Deity-of-Thickly-Mountain? | |
| Ha-Yamatsumi | The-Deity-of-Foot-of-Mountain. | |
| Hara-Yamatsumi | The-Deity-of-Field-of-Mountain. | |
| To-Yamatsumi | The-Deity-of-Place-of-Mountain? The-Deity-of-Outer-Mountain? | |
| **9 | Ame-no-Wohabari (Itsu-no-Wohabari) |
The-Heavenly-Brave-Tight-Blade? next The-Powerful-Brave-Tight-Blade? |
After that, he wished to meet his wife (younger-sister) Izanami-no-Mikoto(**1), and so he pursued her and visited to Yomi-no-Kuni (Hades-land)(*1). Then, when she received out from the closed door of
a palace, Izanaki-no-Mikoto said, "Thou, my lovely wife! The land which you and I created are
not finished creating yet, so that you must come back!" Hereupon,
Izanami-no-Mikoto answered, "I regret that you should have come soon. I have already
eaten food of Yomi. Nevertheless, I feel graciously that my lovely husband (brother) have
come into. So that I wish to go back, and I will consult with the deity
of Yomi. Don't look me while I am consulting!"
But he could not wait, because it was very long while she had been into
the palace after saying so. Therefore, he broke off one tooth of the divine
nail-shaped comb with which he had worn in a left bunch of his hair, and
lighted it (one tooth) and came into and peeped.
Then, maggots bred from her body and rumbled,
and there was Oho-Ikadzuchi (The-Great-Thunder) in her head region,
and there was Ho-no-Ikadzuchi (The-Fire-Thunder) in her breast region,
and there was Kuro-Ikadzuchi (The-Black-Thunder) in her abdominal region,
and there was Saku-Ikadzuchi (The-Rend-Thunder) in her pubic region,
and there was Waka-Ikadzuchi (The-Young-Thunder) in her left arm,
and there was Tsuchi-Ikadzuchi (The-Soil-Thunder) in her right arm,
and there was Naru-Ikadzuchi (The-Ramble-Thunder) in her left leg,
and there was Fusu-Ikadzuchi (The-Lie-Thunder) in her right leg.
There were eight thunder deities who came into being from her body in all.
Hereupon, Izanaki-no-Mikoto feared it and fled back, whereupon his wife Izanami-no-Mikoto said, "How dare you put me to shame!" and sent Yomo-tsu-Shikome (ugly-female-of-Hades-land) to pursue him at once. Hereupon Izanaki-no-Mikoto took his black august wreath and threw it away, just then wild-grapes
grew from it. He could flee while she picked up them and ate.
But she pursued him again, he broke off a tooth of the divine nail-shaped
comb with which he had worn in a right bunch of his hair, and threw it
away, just then bamboo-shoots grew from it. He could flee while she pulled
up them and ate.
After that, she sent the eight thunder deities with 1,500 warriors of Yomi to pursue him. Hereupon he drew the Totsuka-no-Tsurugi (ten-fists-length-sword) on which he girt, and fled brandishing it back.
But still, they pursued him, and reached the foot of Yomo-tsu-Hira-Saka (cliff-slope-of-Hades-land)(*3). Then he plucked three peaches growing
at the foot of the slope, and waited for them and hurled the peaches at
them. Therefore all of them ran back.
Then, Izanaki-no-Mikoto said to the peaches, "As you helped me, help all people living in
Ashihara-Naka-tsu-Kuni(*3) if they fall into sufferings and worry themselves and distress themselves,"
and named the peaches Oho-Kamudzumi-no-Mikoto(**2).
Last of all, his wife Izanami-no-Mikoto pursued him with herself. Hereupon he hauled a great very rock and blocked
the slope with it. And they stood facing each other across the rock, and
exchanged the incantation of divorce.
Izanami-no-Mikoto said, "If my lovely husband do so, I will strangle to death 1,000
people of your land day after day!"
Next, Izanaki-no-Mikoto said, "If my lovely wife do so, I will build 1,500 maternity-houses
day after day!"
For this reason, 1,000 people surely die every day, and 1,500 people surely
are born every day.
Now, that Izanami-no-Mikoto is called Yomo-tsu-Ohokami (great-deity-of-Hades-land).
And, she is also called Chishiki-no-Ohokami, because she overtook him.
And, the rock blocking the slope of Yomi is called Chigaheshi-no-Ohokami(**3).
And, this is also called Yomido-no-Ohokami.
And, Yomo-tsu-Hira-Saka is now called Ifuya-Saka in Idzumo Province(*4).
| The notes | ||
| *1 | Yomi-no-Kuni | Hades-Land. this is the underground dark land where the dead live. |
| *2 | Yomo-tsu-Hira-Saka (Ifuya-Saka) |
Cliff-Slope-of-Hades-Land. This is a mythical cliff, and is a border line between ground-land and underground-land. There is the Iuya Shrine in Shimane Prefecture, and so it is thought that Ifuya-Saka is near there. |
| *3 | Ashihara-Naka-tsu-Kuni | The-Middle(Center)-Land-of-Reed-Plain. This is the name of the ground-land. |
| *4 | Idzumo Province | Now Shimane Prefecture. This Province is the main domain of Ashihara-Naka-tsu-Kuni (ground-land) dwelt the earthly-deities. |
| The deities | ||
| **1 | Izanami (Yomo-tsu-Ohokami) (Chishiki-no-Ohokami) |
The other name means The-Great-Deity-of-Hades-Land, next The-Great-Deity-Overtaken-on-Road.(Refer to 02-1) |
| Izanaki | (Refer to 02-1) | |
| **2 | Oho-Kamudzumi | The-Great-Divine-Fruit? |
| **3 | Chigaheshi-no-Ohokami (Yomido-no-Ohokami) |
The-Great-deity-Driven-Out-on-Road, next The-Great-(Blocking)-Deity-of-Door-of-Hades-Land. |
Wherefore, Izanaki-no-Ohokami(**1) said, "What an unclean land I visited! So that I will perform
Misogi purification(*1) of my body," and came to the water's edge of Ahaki-Hara at Odo of Tachibana in Himuka of Tsukushi(*2), and purified and cleansed himself.
Then, the name of the deity who came into being from his staff (stick)
which he threw away was Tsukitatsu-Funato-no-Kami(**2).
Next, the name of the deity who came into being from his belt (girdle)
which he threw away was Michi-no-Nagachiha-no-Kami(**3).
Next, the name of the deity who came into being from his sack (bag) which
he threw away was Tokihakashi-no-Kami(**4).
Next, the name of the deity who came into being from his robe (upper-garment)
which he threw away was Wadzurahi-no-Ushi-no-Kami(**5).
Next, the name of the deity who came into being from his hakama (pleated-skirt) which he threw away was Chimata-no-Kami(**6).
Next, the name of the deity who came into being from his head-gear (coronet)
which he threw away was Akiguhi-no-Ushi-no-Kami(**7).
Next, the names of the deities who came into being from his left bracelet
which he threw away were Oki-Zakaru-no-Kami(**8), next Oki-tsu-Nagisa-Biko-no-Kami, next Oki-tsu-Kahibera-no-Kami.
Next, the names of the deities who came into being from his right bracelet
which he threw away were He-Zakaru-no-Kami(**9), next He-tsu-Nagisa-Biko-no-Kami, next He-tsu-Kahibera-no-Kami.
These twelve deities from Funato-no-Kami to He-tsu-Kahibera-no-Kami were the deities who were born from throwing off his wear by him.
Then he said, "The surface stream is too rapid. The bottom stream
is too sluggish," and dived into the middle stream and rinsed himself
for the first time, and the names of the deities who came into being were
Yaso-Magatsuhi-no-Kami(**10), next Oho-Magatsuhi-no-Kami. These two deities were the deities who were born from impurity with which
he brought back from that unclean land.
Next, he cured those maga (evils), and the names of the deities who came into being were Kamu-Nahobi-no-Kami(**11), next Oho-Nahobi-no-Kami, next Idzunome. 3 deities in all.
Next, he rinsed himself into the bottom of the water, and the names of
the deities who came into being were Soko-tsu-Watatsumi-no-Kami(**12), next Soko-Tsutsunowo-no-Kami(**13).
Next, he rinsed himself into the middle of the water, and the names of
the deities who came into being were Naka-tsu-Watatsumi-no-Kami, next Naka-Tsutsunowo-no-Kami.
Next, he rinsed himself into the surface of the water, and the names of
the deities who came into being were Uha-tsu-Watatsumi-no-Kami, next Uha-Tsutsunowo-no-Kami.
These three Watatsumi-no-Kami are the deities whom the clan of Adzumi-no-Muraji(*3) and others worship as their ancestral-deities. And, the clan of Adzumi-no-Muraji and others are the descendants of Utsushi-Hikanasaku-no-Mikoto(**14) who was the child of Watatsumi-no-Kami.
These three deities, Soko-Tsutsunowo-no-Kami, Naka-Tsutsunowo-no-Kami, Uha-Tsutsunowo-no-Kami, are the three great deities of Suminoe(*4).
Then, he washed his left eye, and the name of the deity who came into being
was Amaterasu-Ohomikami(**15).
Next, he washed his right eye, and the name of the deity who came into
being was Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto(**16).
Next, he washed his nose, and the name of the deity who came into being
was Takehaya-Susanowo-no-Mikoto(**17).
These ten deities from Yaso-magatsuhi-no-Kami to Haya-Susanowo-no-Mikoto were the deities who were born from rinsing himself by him.
| The notes | ||
| *1 | Misogi | The Shintoism rite of purification in the water. |
| *2 | Tsukushi | Tsukushi Province or whole of Kyushu. |
| Himuka | Himuka (Hyuuga) Province (now Miyazaki Prefecture) or the place name meant face-to-the-sun. | |
| Tachibana | This is the mythical place name meant a wild-orange. | |
| Odo | This is the mythical place name meant a strait. | |
| Ahaki-Hara | This is the mythical place name. | |
| *3 | Adzumi-no-Muraji | This is the powerful clan engaged in a fishing. Muraji is a title of clan. |
| *4 | Suminoe | Now the Sumiyoshi Shrine in Osaka city. |
| The deities | ||
| **1 | Izanaki-no-Ohokami | (Refer to 02-1) |
| **2 | Tsukitatsu-Funato | The-Deity-of-Standing-Staff-(Saying-Don't-Come). |
| **3 | Michi-no-Nagachiha | The-Deity-of-Rock-on-Long-Road. |
| **4 | Tokihakashi | Unknown. |
| **5 | Wadzurahi-no-Ushi | The-Deity-of-Master-of-Trouble. |
| **6 | Chimata | The-Deity-of-Forked-Road. |
| **7 | Akiguhi-no-Ushi | The-Master-Deity-Swallowed-up-(Impurity)-from-Mouth. |
| **8 | Oki-Zakaru | The-Deity-Receding-to-Offing. |
| Oki-tsu-Nagisa-Biko | The-Prince-Deity-of-Waterside-of-Offing. | |
| Oki-tsu-Kahibera | Unknown. | |
| **9 | He-Zakaru | The-Deity-Receding-to-Seahore. |
| He-tsu-Nagisa-Biko | The-Prince-Deity-of-Waterside-of-Seahore. | |
| He-tsu-Kahibera | Unknown. | |
| **10 | Yaso-Magatsuhi | The-Deity-of-Many-Evil-Spirit. This is the deity of evil (disaster). |
| Oho-Magatsuhi | The-Deity-of-Great-Evil-Spirit. This is also the deity of evil (disaster). | |
| **12 | Kamu-Nahobi | The-Divine-Deity-Curing-(Evil). |
| Oho-Nahobi | The-Great-Deity-Curing-(Evil). | |
| Idzunome | The-Female-(Deity)-of-Purity? | |
| **14 | Soko-tsu-Watatsumi | The-Deity-of-Bottom-Sea-Spirit. |
| Naka-tsu-Watatsumi | The-Deity-of-Middle-Sea-Spirit. | |
| Uha-tsu-Watatsumi | The-Deity-of-Upper-Sea-Spirit. | |
| **15 | Soko-Tsutsunowo | The meaning of these names have many theories. These are the deity of voyage. |
| Naka-Tsutsunowo | ||
| Uha-Tsutsunowo | ||
| **16 | Utsushi-Hikanasaku | - |
| **17 | Amaterasu-Ohomikami | The-Great-August-Deity-Shining-over-Heaven or The-Great-August-Shining-Deity-of-Heaven. This is the goddess of sun, and is the ancestral-deity of the Japanese Imperial Household. This deity is one of the most famous deity, and is enshrined at the Ise Shrine. |
| **18 | Tsukuyomi | This is the deity of the moon. |
| **19 | Takehaya-Susanowo (Haya-Susanowo) |
The-Brave-Quick-Wild-Male-(Deity). In another theory, Susa is the place name in Izumo Province. |
Hereupon, Izanaki-no-Mikoto(**1) took delight highly and said, "I had begotten child after child,
and then I got three noble deities at last!" And he swung and jingled
the string of beads of his necklace at once, and presented it to Amaterasu-Ohomikami(**2) and said, "Thou, rule over the Takama-no-Hara (plain-of-high-heaven)," and entrusted so. Then the beads of his
necklace is called Mikuratana-no-Kami(**3).
Next, he said to Tsukuyomi-no-Kami, "Thou, rule over the land of night," and entrusted so.
Next, he said to Takehaya-Susanowo-no-Kami, "Thou, rule over the ocean," and entrusted so.
Thereupon, they ruled over as they had been entrusted each, but Haya-Susanowo-no-Mikoto did not rule over the land with which he had been entrusted, and he cried
and blubbered until his long beard reached the pit of his stomach. The
spectacle of his weeping was the following similes: He wept and dried up
[his tears] as if a verdant mountain became a bald mountain, and as if
all the sea and rivers dried up.
Therefore, the noises of wicked deities resounded and abounded like flies
of summer, and so all sorts of evils broke out.
Hereupon, Izanaki-no-Ohomikami asked Haya-Susanowo-no-Mikoto, "Why have you cried and blubbered without ruling over the land which
I entrusted you?" Then he answered, "I have cried because I wish
to go to the land of Ne-no-Katasu-Kuni(*1) where my mother dwells." Hereupon Izanaki-no-Ohomikami was enraged and said, "If so, you must not live in this land,"
and banished him at once.
So, this Izanaki-no-Ohokami dwells at Taga(*2) in Afumi.
| The notes | ||
| *1 | Ne-no-Katasu-Kuni | The underground-land. But this land is same to the Yomi-no-Kuni (Hades-Land) in Kojiki. |
| *2 | Afumi (Oumi) | Now Shiga Prefecture. |
| Taga | This is the Taga Shrine in Shiga Prefecture. | |
| The deities | ||
| **1 | Izanaki | (Refer to 02-1) |
| **2 | Amaterasu-Ohomikami | (Refer to 02-8) |
| Tsukuyomi | ||
| Takehaya-Susanowo (Haya-Susanowo) |
||
| **3 | Mikuratana | The-Deity-on-Shelf-of-Warehouse. |
