Read, reflect, pray
Kojiki: Islands and kami are born
Kojiki · Story 2 of 22
島々と神々が生まれる
From the heavenly jeweled spear to the islands.
English translation of this site’s published story summary and reading notes. This is a selected reading guide, not a complete translation of the ancient chronicle.
Story summary
Ordered by the heavenly deities to put the drifting land in order, Izanagi and Izanami stand on the floating bridge of heaven and stir the sea with the heavenly jeweled spear. Drops falling from it accumulate into Onogoro Island. The two descend there and erect a pillar and hall.
Through their union, eight islands corresponding to Awaji, Shikoku, Oki, Kyushu, Iki, Tsushima, Sado, and Honshu are born, called the Great Eight-Island Country. More islands follow, then deities associated with sea, wind, trees, mountains, and fields.
Giving birth to the fire deity Hinokagutsuchi, Izanami is injured and eventually dies. The narrative names the deities born at this time, including Toyoukehime, child of Wakumusubi. Abundant birth and loss of life stand side by side.
Reading note
The text does not include the first-born Hiruko and Awashima in the count of children; the following eight islands form the Great Eight-Island Country. Onogoro is also distinguished from the islands born of the pair.
Compare with the Nihon Shoki
Connected figures
Names and relationships in a chronicle may differ from later traditions. Each figure’s introduction identifies its sources.
Sources and edition (2)
English explanations on this page were prepared by Inori no Mori from the cited text and its Japanese explanations. They are not an official translation or a prescribed liturgy.