According to geologists, the Japanese Islands were formed by tectonic uplifts and volcanic eruptions. But mythology says otherwise. Enter Izanagi and his sister / wife Izanami. Together, these ‘kami’ crafted the islands of Japan by stirring the ocean with a celestial spear.

The myth takes a tragic turn with Izanami's death during the birth of Kagutsuchi, the fire god. Izanagi's attempt to retrieve her from the Underworld fails, leading to a purification ritual that births important gods: Amaterasu (the Sun Goddess) from his left eye, Tsukiyomi (the Moon God) from his right eye, and Susanoo (the Storm God) from his nose.

In Shintō, Izanagi's cleansing bath is seen as the origin of harai, a key ritual of purification. His story highlights the deep connection between life, the afterlife, and renewal in Japanese mythology.