In Japanese mythology, Izanagi and Izanami are primordial deities said to have created the islands of Japan. They undertook a sacred wedding but soon after, Izanami died giving birth to the god of fire, Kagutsuchi. She retreated to yomi, the land of the dead.
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#MythologyMonday

Izanagi wanted to retrieve her & so went to yomi. Izanami was unable to leave, having eaten food of the dead, but they made a deal. Unfortunately, in his impatience, Izanagi saw Izanami in the form of a decomposing corpse. She was furious and Izanagi was chased out of yomi.
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Izanagi left yomi and blocked the entrance with a giant stone, thereafter separating the living from the dead. As he did so he threw his stick and created the kami known as Sae-no-kami which prevents spirits of the dead entering the land of the living and offers protection.
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Many Shinto practices, esp. purity & cleanliness, are connected to this myth.
Art 1: Kobayashi Eitaku
Art 2 & 3: Izanagi & Izanami via http://shinto-cocoro.jp/zukan_yaoyorozu/
Art 4: Meoto-iwa or the Wedded Rocks, symbolise the marriage of Izanagi and Izanami.
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#mythology #shinto #folklore