|
|
|
The Shinto faith began with a Creation Myth and the mythological belief that at the beginning of the universe there was only one thing that later divided into two things, Heaven and Earth. Then kami appeared in Heaven and the last of them was a male and female, kami couple who gave birth to the land, to nature, to the kami, and to the people of Japan. Within this life giving power, there is no substantial difference between humans and nature or the kami. We are all children of kami. After their death people are revered at their home as Ancestral Kami. These Kami parents were Izanami (Izanami-No-Kami) who was the Japanese Shinto earth mother and Izanagi (Izanagi-No-Kami) was the Japanese Shinto sky father. Izanami (Izanami-No-Kami) who was the Japanese Shinto earth mother, Primordial creator goddess, who represented all that was gracious and heavenly. "The Female Who Invites" together with her husband, brother, and soulmate Izanagi (Izanagi-No-Kami), "The Male Who Invites", Izanami was given the task of creating the world. Izanagi (Izanagi-No-Kami) was the Japanese Shinto sky father, primordial creator god, and Initiator of the Cleansing Rites who represented all that was light and heavenly. "The Male Who Invites" together with his wife, sister, and soulmate Izanami (Izanami-No-Kami), "The Female Who Invites", Izanagi was given the task of creating the world.
Izanagi and Izanami stood
together on the floating bridge of the heavens called "Ama-no-ukihashi" and
immersed a bejeweled spear deep into the sea. As they gradually removed it
from the waves, water droplets condensed to form the first Japanese island where
the kami and humans were born. After their laborious endeavors together were finished, the Izanami needed a lengthy rest and
recuperation, so she retreated to the Otherworld for a long period of time
before returning to the Earthly realm to rejoin Izanagi.
The Sacred Site focal point of Izanagi and Izanami is the Izanagi Shrine, which is located in the vicinity of the Tsuna-Ichinomiya Interchange, Awajishima in the Ichinomiya-cho area in Japan. Respectfully called Ikkusan, Izanagi Shrine is the oldest shrine in Japan. Izanagi retreated there in contemplative seclusion when Izanami remained in the Otherworld until she had fully healed and recuperated from the traumatic birth of the Shinto fire god Hi-No-Kagu-Tsuchi (Kagu-Tsuchi-No-Kami). There are two nine hundred year old camphor trees at the shrine which has been designated a natural prefectural monument called "husband and wife camphor". According to the Ancient Chronicle, Awajishima was the first island created by these two pillar Shinto Deities, and they are enshrined there. Awajishima is a treasure island for prayers and happiness where the dieties of Good Fortune reside and are visited by more than 300,000 people each year. The greatest of the spring festivals, the Danjiri Festival, is held on April 25th on Awaji. Another special traditional festival held on the island is the January 15th Kai Uranai Festival. Japanese Folklore also tells stories of intelligent long live animals with magical powers like the Kitsune fox. In their storytelling, animals have the ability to shapeshift into human form. Although some Kitsune acted as tricksters, most of the magical foxes used their supernatural abilities as benefactors, companions, mentors, and protectors of humans. In the ancient myths of Japan, the Kitsune were often depicted as loyal trustworthy friends, guardians, lovers, and spouses. The oldest, most powerful, and wisest of the Kitsune had as many as nine-tails. The Kitsune often served as the primary Animal Totem messengers for the Shinto agricultural rice kami Inari.
|
|
|
Explore
Visit 
Myths
Folklore Storytelling 
