Introduction
From the mists of ancient creation myths, where the world first began to coalesce, emerges the figure of Izanagi-no-Mikoto, a pivotal deity in the Shinto pantheon. He, alongside his sister and wife, Izanami-no-Mikoto, sculpted the islands of Japan and birthed the myriad gods and goddesses that populate the Japanese spiritual landscape. While Izanagi is credited with numerous divine accomplishments, one singular act stands out in its profound impact, marking a turning point in the nascent world. It is the story of his harrowing journey to and from the underworld, Yomi, and his subsequent cleansing ritual – a feat that not only rescued him from the clutches of death’s realm but also catalyzed the creation of the most revered celestial beings in Japanese cosmology. This article will explore this singular, impactful feat, its context, significance, and lasting influence.
Setting the Stage: Creation and Tragedy
The very fabric of Japanese mythology is woven with the threads of creation, life, death, and rebirth. It is a narrative rich with symbolism, reflecting the cyclical nature of existence and the eternal struggle between light and darkness. Izanagi and Izanami, tasked by the primordial gods to bring order to the chaotic world, embarked on a divine mission. They stood upon the Floating Bridge of Heaven, and using the jeweled spear of Amenonuhoko, they churned the primordial ocean, creating the first island, Onogoro-shima. From this island, they procreated, giving birth to the islands of Japan and to a host of gods and goddesses. This initial period was a time of cosmic harmony, a testament to the power of divine love and creation.
However, this idyllic existence was shattered by tragedy. During the fiery birth of the fire god Kagutsuchi, Izanami suffered severe burns and succumbed to her injuries, descending into the realm of the dead, Yomi. Overcome with grief and bereft of his beloved wife, Izanagi’s world plunged into darkness. This sorrowful event set the stage for what would become his greatest feat, a desperate attempt to reclaim a lost love from the clutches of mortality. His journey to Yomi was a test of his resolve and the very definition of his character. Driven by an enduring love for Izanami, Izanagi resolved to venture into the land of the dead to bring her back to the realm of the living. This act of love, this defiance of death, would forever cement his place among the most significant figures in Shinto mythology.
The Journey to Yomi
Determined to recover his beloved, Izanagi descended into the shadowy depths of Yomi, a place of eternal darkness and decay. He ventured through a desolate landscape, navigating the treacherous paths that separated the world of the living from the realm of the dead. The *Kojiki*, the oldest extant chronicle of Japan, paints a vivid picture of this perilous journey: “And in the land of Yomi, Izanagi pursued Izanami…” The very air was thick with a sense of foreboding. He pleaded with the guardians of Yomi to allow him passage, promising to stay with Izanami, to comfort her in this land. He begged to be allowed to speak with her, to see her one last time. He reached the gates of the subterranean kingdom and called out for Izanami, begging her to return.
Finally, after an agonizing wait, Izanami appeared before him, but she was already consumed by the powers of Yomi, her body irrevocably changed. She explained that she had already eaten the food of the underworld and was now bound to that realm. However, moved by Izanagi’s pleas, she requested that he not look at her, explaining that she must consult with the gods of Yomi for a way to leave. Promising to await her return, he was told to remain patient and wait within the depths of the dark realm.
His curiosity, however, eventually overcame his resolve. Driven by loneliness and doubt, Izanagi, driven by grief and uncertainty, broke his promise. He lit a torch, seeking to see Izanami and discover why she had not yet returned. What he witnessed was a horrific spectacle that would forever haunt him. The radiant beauty he had loved and lost had transformed into a decaying, monstrous figure, a grotesque manifestation of death itself. The sight filled him with terror.
The Escape and the Fight
Faced with the horrifying visage of his decaying wife, Izanagi turned and fled, abandoning his promise. He was pursued by the foul-smelling shikome, the “ugly women” of Yomi, and by the forces of death who now sought to claim him as their own. He threw down his black headband and the band became grapes which the demons consumed, momentarily distracting them. He then threw down his comb which transformed into bamboo shoots, distracting them further. He grabbed his sword and fought to escape, finally reaching the border between the worlds.
To escape the relentless pursuit, Izanagi used the power of a thousand-stone boulder to seal the mouth of the underworld, separating the realms of the living and the dead forever. As he did so, Izanami, filled with rage and grief, cursed him, vowing to take a thousand lives each day. Izanagi, undeterred, retorted that he would bring forth a thousand and five hundred lives in response, effectively making life more plentiful in the world. His journey had come to a climax, a moment of both victory and profound loss.
Cleansing and Divine Creations
Emerging from Yomi, Izanagi had been irrevocably tainted by his experience. The horrors he had witnessed, the very air of the underworld, clung to him. He was no longer the pure creator god; he had been corrupted by death. To cleanse himself of this defilement, Izanagi initiated a ritual of purification. This cleansing ritual, performed in the waters of a river, is the singular, impactful feat that truly defines Izanagi’s journey. This action was more than simply washing away the physical dirt; it was a spiritual cleansing, a symbolic act of regeneration and rebirth.
He first purified himself by taking off his clothes and throwing them away, each garment becoming a new deity. The most significant part of the cleansing involved washing his body. As he cleansed his left eye, the radiant sun goddess Amaterasu-ōmikami emerged. From his right eye sprang Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto, the moon god. Finally, when he washed his nose, the fierce storm god Susanoo-no-Mikoto came into being. These three deities would become the most important and celebrated gods and goddesses of the Shinto pantheon, shaping the destiny of the Japanese islands and its inhabitants.
The Significance of the New Gods
The birth of these three celestial figures is the direct consequence of Izanagi’s cleansing ritual, a consequence of his successful escape from Yomi. Without his purification, these divine beings could not have been born. Amaterasu, the sun goddess, is the ancestor of the imperial line and represents the source of light, life, and abundance. Tsukuyomi, the moon god, embodies the night, the tides, and the mysteries of the heavens. Susanoo, the storm god, while prone to fits of destructive rage, also represents courage, the power of the natural world, and the potential for both creation and destruction. These three deities, born from Izanagi’s cleansing, form the cornerstone of the Japanese spiritual cosmos.
The Meaning and Legacy
Symbolism
The story of Izanagi’s journey to and from Yomi and the subsequent cleansing is rich with symbolism. The descent into Yomi represents the confrontation with mortality, the inevitability of death, and the enduring power of love in the face of loss. The act of looking at Izanami symbolizes the dangers of forbidden knowledge and the irreversible nature of death. The cleansing ritual is a powerful metaphor for purification, renewal, and the triumph of life over death. This aspect of the story mirrors fundamental aspects of Shinto belief.
This single act stands as a powerful statement of the cycle of life, death, and rebirth central to Shinto. The entire narrative encapsulates core Shinto values, emphasizing the importance of ritual purity and the reverence for the natural world. It highlights the power of love, sacrifice, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Enduring Influence
Izanagi’s legacy is profound and far-reaching. The tale of his journey to Yomi, his cleansing, and the birth of the sun, moon, and storm gods is a cornerstone of Japanese mythology. This narrative has resonated throughout Japanese history, influencing art, literature, and cultural traditions. It continues to be a source of inspiration and reflection, offering insights into the human condition and the enduring search for meaning in the face of life’s greatest challenges. The myth has become a part of Japanese cultural identity, its themes influencing everything from classical poetry to modern anime.
Conclusion
The story of Izanagi’s return from Yomi and subsequent cleansing offers us a glimpse into a powerful creation myth and gives us a glimpse into the core beliefs of the Japanese. It is a testament to the strength of love and the enduring power of life over death. His actions set the stage for the establishment of a divine lineage, an act that is the foundation of Japanese imperial history. The entire event showcases his immense power, both physical and spiritual, as he confronts and overcomes the forces of darkness. This one great feat of Izanagi is a profound and enduring tale that continues to inspire and shape our understanding of Japanese culture and spirituality. It speaks to the triumph of light over darkness and the enduring power of hope in the face of adversity, forever etching the name Izanagi into the annals of myth and legend.
