【Japanese Mythology】 Creation of the Land

At the beginning of time, three genderless gods were born in heaven. They were in a place called Takamagahara. It is where heaven and earth first appeared.
The earth was still new, drifting like a jellyfish in the sea.

Then, ten paired gods were born. They included Izanagi and Izanami.

One day, the gods of Takamagahara talked about creating a new land below. They ordered Izanagi and Izanami to make a nation from the drifting earth. They gave them a spear called the "Ame no Nuhoko."

Izanagi and Izanami stood on a floating bridge in heaven. They pointed a spear down. They stirred the waters below, making a " koro, koro" sound.

When they lifted the spear, salty drops fell. They formed an island called Onogoro.
They landed on the island. They found a considerable pillar, Ame no Mihashira, and a grand hall, Yahirodono.

They walked around the pillar, Izanagi from the left and Izanami from the right. When they met, they praised each other, saying, "What a lovely woman," and "What a lovely man." Together, they created many islands.

First, they made eight islands. This was the beginning of Japan's land.
After creating the land, Izanagi and Izanami gave birth to gods.

They created the gods of stone, earth, sea, wind, mountains, and crops.
However, when Izanami gave birth to the fire god, she died.

Izanagi, heartbroken, wanted to see his wife again. So, he went to Yomi, the land of the dead, to find her.

Izanami told him, "I have eaten Yomi's food and cannot return it. But since you came, I will try to leave. I will speak to the gods here. Please, do not look at me while I am gone."

Izanagi waited a long time. But Izanami did not return. Unable to stay, he broke a tooth from his comb, lit it as a torch, and entered the hall.

Inside, he saw Izanami. Her body was decayed, with maggots and thunder gods on her head, chest, and stomach.

Terrified, Izanagi fled from Yomi. Izanami was furious, saying, "How dare you shame me!" She sent demons after him and chased him herself.

Izanagi blocked Yomotsuhirasaka with a huge boulder. He heard Izanami say, "My dear husband if you do this, I will take 1,000 lives from your land each day."

Izanagi replied, "Then I will build 1,500 birthing houses daily."This is why 1,000 people die each day and 1,500 are born.

Izanami became known as Yomotsu Okami, the great goddess of Yomi.
Returning from Yomi, Izanagi said, "What a filthy place I've been to!"He went to Awaki Hara to cleanse himself.

As he removed his clothes, gods were born from them.

Finally, as he washed his face, Amaterasu was born from his left eye. Tsukuyomi came from his right eye, and Susanoo from his nose.

Izanagi was overjoyed. He gave the heavens to Amaterasu, the night to Tsukuyomi, and the seas to Susanoo.

However, Susanoo ignored his duties and cried even as he grew up.
The world grew loud with evil voices, bringing calamity.

Izanagi questioned Susanoo, "Why do you cry and ignore your duties?"

Susanoo replied, "I want to go to Ne no Katasukuni, my mother'smother's land."
Hearing this, Izanagi grew angry. He banished Susanoo from the land.