Definition

Proper noun: * In Japanese mythology, Izanami is the primordial goddess of creation and death. She is the sister and consort of the god Izanagi. Together, they gave birth to the islands of Japan and many of its deities (kami).

Usage Notes

• Izanami is a proper noun, the name of a specific mythological figure. It is always capitalized.
• It is used primarily in the context of discussing Japanese Shinto mythology, religion, and ancient creation stories.
• The name is often paired with Izanagi, her brother and husband, as they are central figures in the creation myth.

Examples

• According to the , Izanami and Izanagi stood on the Floating Bridge of Heaven and stirred the ocean to create the first island.
• The death of Izanami after giving birth to the fire god is a pivotal tragedy in the myth.
• Many shrines in Japan are dedicated to the spirits of Izanami and Izanagi.

Advanced Usage / Cultural Context

• Izanami-no-Mikoto: This is the full honorific title, with "-no-Mikoto" being an ancient Japanese honorific suffix for deities and noble persons. It translates roughly to "The August One, Izanami."
• Yomi: After her death, Izanami became the ruler of Yomi, the Land of the Dead or the Underworld in Japanese mythology. Her story with Izanagi is often referred to as the "Descent to Yomi" myth.
• Contrast with Izanagi: While Izanami represents creation, death, and the underworld, Izanagi represents life, light, and the world of the living. Their separation defines the boundary between life and death.

Variants and Related Words

• Izanagi (proper noun): The brother, husband, and counterpart of Izanami.
• Kami (noun): A spirit, god, or sacred essence in the Shinto religion. Izanami is one of the most important .
• Kojiki (proper noun): "Records of Ancient Matters," the oldest extant chronicle in Japan, which contains the primary myth of Izanami and Izanagi.
• Nihon Shoki (proper noun): "The Chronicles of Japan," another ancient text that records variations of the creation myth.

Synonyms

• Creator deity
• Mother goddess (specifically in the context of being the progenitor of the Japanese islands and gods)
• Chthonic deity (a deity associated with the underworld, referring to her role as ruler of Yomi)

Related Phrases and Concepts

• The Birth of the Lands: Refers to the act where Izanami and Izanagi created the Japanese archipelago.
• The Pollution of Death: A key concept from the myth; after visiting Izanami in Yomi, Izanagi must perform purification rituals, which established important Shinto practices concerning death and impurity.

Noun

1. sister and consort of Izanami; mother of the islands and gods of Japan