The Father of Creation
Izanagi is the primordial male deity of Japanese myth, who together with his sister and wife Izanami gave shape to the islands of Japan. Standing on the floating bridge of heaven, the pair stirred the chaotic ocean with the jeweled spear Ame-no-nuboko; brine dripping from its tip formed the first island.
His name is usually parsed as "he who invites," paired with Izanami, "she who invites" — the iza- element evoking an inviting or beckoning call. The honorific -no-Mikoto marks his sacred rank among the kami.
After Izanami died birthing the fire kami, Izanagi pursued her into Yomi, the land of the dead, but fled in horror from her rotting form. To cleanse the pollution of death, he bathed in a river — a foundational act of misogi purification still central to Shinto.
From this washing the three "noble children" were born: Amaterasu from his left eye, Tsukuyomi from his right, and Susanoo from his nose. Izanagi then divided the cosmos among them.
Common Questions
Are Izanagi and Izanami related?
Yes. In the chronicles they are siblings born of earlier kami, and they become husband and wife to create the world.
How was Amaterasu born?
She emerged from Izanagi's left eye as he purified himself after escaping the underworld.
