Japanese Mythology

Shinto

• An ancient Japanese religion.• Composed of worship, divination techniques,

and shamanism.• Derived from the Chinese words "shin tao”

meaning “the way of the Gods.”

Shinto Beliefs

• Shinto does not have as fully developed a theology as do most other religions.

• Shinto stories tell about the history and lives of the “Kami” or deities.

In the Beginning

• All elements combined to make one germ.• The germ made the sea, and from that sea a

shoot grew.• The shoot grew up to the sky and transformed

into a god.

Creation of the Islands

• One day Izanagi put his staff into the sea.• When he pulled up the mud some fell back

into the sea creating the Japanese Islands.• The ultimate god made Izanagi and Izanami.

Going to the Islands

• Izanagi and Izanami went to the islands and created plants.

• Their first daughter Amaterasu became the sun.

• Their second daughter Tsuki-Yumi became the moon.

Izanagi and Izanami

• Izanagi was the father god. He was responsible for creating the Japanese Islands.

• Izanami was married to Izanagi. She was known as the mother goddess.

Amaterasu

She was Izanami’s first daughter.

Her beauty was so radiant that her parents believed she did not belong on earth.

Tsuki-Yumi

• Tsuki-Yumi was Izanami’s second daughter.• Tsuki-Yumi was placed up in the sky to

become the moon.

Sosano-Wo

Sosano-Wo creates the storms in the sea.

Sosano-Wo, Izanami’s first son, was sent to live in the sea.

Kami-Shinatsuhiko-no-Kami

• Shinatsuhiko is the god of wind.• When he was born his breath dispersed the

clouds and mist that hung over the world, filling it with light.

Kagutsuchi-no-Kami

• Kagutsuchi is the god of fire.• When he was born he severely burned his

mother Izanami.• Caused her health to slowly fail.

Hauiyasu-Hime

• Hauiyasu is the earth goddess.• She was born from the body parts of Izanami.• Her brother Haniyasu-Hiko was born the same

way.

Kanayama-Biko

• Kanayama-Biko is the god of metal.• He was born from Izanami’s vomit.• His sister Kanayama-Hime was born with him.

Works Cited• “Amaterasu.” Painting of Amaterasu. A Chapel of Our Mother God. 12 December 2008.

www.mother-god.com/warrior-queen.html.• “Izanagi and Izanami creating the Japanese Islands.” Painting of Izanagi and Izanami. Omi

Naga. 12 December 2008. www.geocities.com/ominaga2/izanagi.htm.• “Kabuki Susanoo.” Painting of Sosano-wo. Omi Naga. 16 December 2008.

http://www.geocities.com/ominaga2/susanoo.htm.• “Kyoto landscape..” 2008. Photograph of Kyoto landscape. Destination360. 11 December

2008. http://www.destination360.com/asia/japan/kyoto.php. • Murtagh, Lindsey. “Japanese Creation Myth.” Common Elements in Creation Myths. Brian

McCarthy. 09 December 2008. http://www.sc.williams.edu/~lindsey/myths/myths_17.html.• (Translated) Yaichiro Isobe. “Japanese Creation Myth.” Christopher B. Siren. Myths and

Legends. 1993-2000. 08 December 2008. http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~wldciv/world_civ_reader/world_civ_reader_1/kojiki.html.