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The Complete Story of Japanese Mythology

by Mai Anh HT•

The Complete Story of Japanese Mythology

1. The Primordial Separation

In the beginning, the world was a stillness holding the promise of motion. Out of this silence, the subtle began to separate from the dense. The light rose to form the High Plane of Heaven, ruled by the Lord of the August Center of Heaven, while the heavy sank to become the Central Reed Plane.

The creative task passed down to a pair of deities: Izanagi (He who invites) and Izanami (She who invites). Standing upon the Floating Bridge of Heaven, they dipped the Heavenly Jeweled Spear into the chaos. The brine dripping from the spear-point formed Onogoro, the first solid ground.

2. The Birth of the Islands and the Tragedy of Fire

Around a central pillar, the pair performed a ritual to birth the land. After correcting a ritual error, they gave life to The Great Eight Islands (including Awaji, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Honshu).

This era of creation ended in grief when Izanami gave birth to Kagutsuchi, the spirit of fire.

The birth scorched her, sending her to Yomi (the land of the dead).

Izanagi descended into the underworld to retrieve her, but he broke his promise by lighting a torch to look upon her decaying form. Terrified, he fled, sealing the entrance to Yomi with a massive boulder.

This established the balance of the world: Izanami would take 1,000 lives daily, while Izanagi would cause 1,500 births.

3. The Washing of the Eyes: Three Noble Children

To cleanse the filth of Yomi, Izanagi performed a ritual bath in the river at Tachibana. From this purification, three supreme deities were born:

  • Amaterasu (The Sun Goddess): Born from his left eye to rule the High Plane.

  • Tsukuyomi (The Moon God): Born from his right eye to number the months.

  • Susanoo (The Storm Bringer): Born from his nose to rule the seas and storms.

4. The Celestial Crisis and the Sacred Cave

Susanoo, driven by restless grief, committed acts of desecration in heaven. Distraught, Amaterasu withdrew into a cave (Amano Yato), plunging the world into darkness.

The gods gathered to lure her out, not with force, but with theater. They used a polished Mirror, a string of Jewels, and the raucous dance of Ame-no-Uzume. Curious about the laughter, Amaterasu peered out, saw her reflection in the mirror, and was drawn back into the world, restoring the light.

5. Susanoo’s Exile and the Eight-Headed Serpent

Banished to the land of Izumo, Susanoo encountered an elderly couple whose last daughter, Kushinada, was to be eaten by the eight-headed serpent, Yamata no Orochi.

Using eight vats of strong Sake, Susanoo intoxicated the beast and slew it. Inside the creature’s tail, he discovered a magnificent blade: Amamo-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi (the Heavenly Sword of Gathering Clouds). He sent the sword to his sister as a sign of reconciliation.

6. Okuninushi and the Making of the Land

The stewardship of the earth passed to Okuninushi (Master of the Great Land). After surviving the malice of his 80 brothers and passing the trials of his ancestor Susanoo, he set about “the making of the land.” Alongside the tiny deity Sukuna Bikona, he taught medicine, agriculture, and the proper rituals for the unseen world. Eventually, he agreed to yield the “visible world” to the descendants of the Sun Goddess, retiring to his great shrine at Izumo.

7. The Descent of the Heavenly Grandchild

Amaterasu sent her grandson, Ninigi, to rule the terrestrial world. He descended to Mount Takachiho, carrying the Three Sacred Treasures: the Mirror, the Jewel, and the Sword.

Ninigi chose to marry Konahana (the Lady of Blossoms) but rejected her elder sister Iwanaga (the Lady of Rock). Because he chose the fleeting beauty of blossoms over the endurance of stone, the lives of his descendants—and all mortals—became beautiful but brief.

8. The First Emperor: From Myth to History

Ninigi’s son, Huri, visited the undersea palace of the sea king (Ryujin), married the princess Toyotama, and retrieved a lost fishing hook. Their lineage led to Iwarabiko (later known as Jimmu).

Guided by the three-legged bird Yatagarasu, Iwarabiko led an eastward expedition to the plain of Yamato. After many trials and the help of a divine sword, he established his seat at Kashihara, becoming the first Emperor and bridging the age of gods with the age of men.

Would you like me to elaborate on any of these specific chapters or the symbolism of the Three Sacred Treasures?