Read, reflect, pray
Kojiki: Purification and the three noble children
Kojiki · Story 4 of 22
禊と、三柱の貴い子
From the waters come light, night, and sea.
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
Returning from Yomi, Izanagi performs ablution to cleanse himself. Deities arise as he removes his staff, clothes, belt, and other belongings. Entering and washing in the water brings forth deities associated with calamity and those who would correct it.
Washing at the bottom, middle, and surface of the water produces a Watatsumi deity and a Tsutsunoo deity at each level. The text explains the relationship of the three Watatsumi deities to the Azumi clan and calls Sokotsutsunoo, Nakatsutsunoo, and Uwatsutsunoo the three great deities of Suminoe.
Washing his left eye brings forth Amaterasu, his right eye Tsukuyomi, and his nose Susanoo. Delighted with these three, Izanagi assigns Takamagahara to Amaterasu, the realm of night to Tsukuyomi, and the sea to Susanoo. But Susanoo keeps weeping to go to his mother’s land, and the story moves onward.
Reading note
The deities of ablution and the four purification deities named in the Great Purification Prayer are introduced with their sources and arrangements kept distinct.
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 (3)
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.