Japanese Mythology: The Essential - The Story of Amaterasu, Susanoo, Tsukuyomi, Izanagi and Izanami

Summary

This script narrates the creation myth of Japanese deities, beginning with the primordial chaos from which Izanagi and Izanami emerge to populate the world. Their union leads to the birth of various gods, including Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and Susanoo. However, tragedy strikes when Izanami dies, prompting Izanagi's descent into the underworld to retrieve her. Ultimately, he is forced to abandon her, leading to his purification and the birth of more deities. The tale explores themes of light and darkness, familial conflict, and the establishment of order in the cosmos, culminating in Amaterasu's return and the formation of Japan's imperial lineage.

Takeaways

• 🌌 Chaos reigned in the universe before the creation of sky and earth by the gods.
• 👫 Izanagi and Izanami were tasked with populating the world, but their initial union produced deformed creatures.
• 🔥 Izanami died giving birth to Kagutsuchi, leading Izanagi to venture into Yomi, the underworld, to retrieve her.
• 😱 Upon discovering Izanami's decay, Izanagi rejected her, sealing her in the underworld with a massive rock.
• 💧 Izanagi's purification ritual gave birth to several deities, including Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and Susanoo.
• 🌞 Amaterasu, the sun goddess, and Tsukuyomi, the moon god, had a strong bond but were later separated by conflict.
• 🍚 Tsukuyomi's violent actions against Ukemochi led to a rift between him and Amaterasu, causing night and day to become distinct.
• ❄️ Amaterasu retreated into a cave out of despair, plunging the world into darkness until the other gods devised a plan to lure her out.
• 🐉 Susanoo, after being punished for his mischief, defeated the dragon Yamata no Orochi and offered the sacred sword Kusanagi to Amaterasu as an apology.
• 👑 Amaterasu's descendants, notably Emperor Jimmu, played a crucial role in Japan's history, representing her legacy of courage and glory.

Q & A

What roles did Izanagi and Izanami play in the creation of the world?

Izanagi and Izanami were tasked with populating the world and creating everything within it. They gave rise to the first gods and the Japanese archipelago.

What was the significance of the sacred spear given to Izanagi and Izanami?

The sacred spear was a powerful artifact that enabled the divine couple to create the sacred island of Onogoro, marking the beginning of their creation efforts.

What led to the birth of deformed creatures from Izanagi and Izanami's first union?

The ritual of their union was distorted because Izanami, as the female deity, was not supposed to propose, resulting in the birth of deformed creatures.

What tragedy befell Izanami during childbirth?

Izanami died giving birth to Kagutsuchi, the god of fire, which led her to descend into Yomi, the underworld.

How did Izanagi react to discovering Izanami in the underworld?

Izanagi was horrified by Izanami's decayed state and rejected her, which led to a conflict where she unleashed monsters to pursue him.

What resulted from Izanagi's ritualistic bath after his return from Yomi?

During his bath, Izanagi birthed several deities, including Amaterasu, Tsukiyomi, and Susanoo, symbolizing purification and renewal.

What was the cause of the conflict between Amaterasu and Tsukiyomi?

Tsukiyomi offended Amaterasu by killing the food goddess Ukemochi, which led to Amaterasu expelling him and creating a division between day and night.

What actions did Susanoo take that angered Amaterasu?

Susanoo created chaos by destroying Amaterasu's rice fields and causing the death of a weaver, leading Amaterasu to retreat into a cave and bring darkness to the world.

How did the other gods manage to lure Amaterasu out of the cave?

The gods created a festive atmosphere outside the cave, using a sacred mirror and the dance of the goddess Ameno Uzume to attract Amaterasu's curiosity and draw her out.

What was the outcome of Susanoo's encounter with the dragon Yamata no Orochi?

Susanoo defeated Yamata no Orochi by getting the dragon drunk and then attacking it, discovering the sacred sword Kusanagi within the dragon's tail as a result.