Mythology-Folklore Unit: Japanese Mythology
This unit includes stories from The Romance of Old Japan by E. W. Champney and F. Champney.
These stories are retellings in modern English prose and a few in verse.
Japan: Izanagi and Izanami
Izanagi - the god of the heavens
Izanami - goddess of love
Izanami had numerous offspring. She loved her Earth Children more, and she loved the lords of the Isles of the Dragon-fly the most. She gave them eternal dominion over the nicest lands and bestowed godlike powers upon them: wisdom, valour and craft, justice, mercy and love.
Izanami's immortal gods were jealous and decided to rebel.
Susa-no-wo: "Celestial Mother, thou hast elevated thy Earth Children to the rank of Gods, so that even I mist needs toil as their slave and harness my storm steeds to their sea chariots!"
Izanami was confused on why her offspring condemned her.
She then bore another son, Kagu-tsuchi (the terrible God of Fire). While giving birth, Izanami was badly burned, but survived and sad to see that she gave birth to an evil-hearted child. So, she had another son, the God of Water. She told the God of Water to calm his brother with cooling streams, the God of Fire, whenever his brother's temper was violent.
After she said this, Izanami died and descended into Yomi, the abode of departed spirits
Izanagi grieved for the loss of his wife and went to seek her spirit and bring her back
Portal of Yomi--where none may return. He asked Izanami to return with him, but she said it was too late because she had already eaten the bread of Yomi. He went in after her, but when he reached his wife, she melted between his fingers.
Izanagi, pursued by the Furies of Remorse, ascended the Earth-stairway and dwelt upon the isle of Ahaji, in an abode of eternal gloom.
Story Idea: Specific Story - Japan: Izanagi and Izanami (cont.)
-write the story from the perspective of Izanagu or Izanami
This unit includes stories from The Romance of Old Japan by E. W. Champney and F. Champney.
These stories are retellings in modern English prose and a few in verse.
Japan: Izanagi and Izanami
Izanagi - the god of the heavens
Izanami - goddess of love
Izanami had numerous offspring. She loved her Earth Children more, and she loved the lords of the Isles of the Dragon-fly the most. She gave them eternal dominion over the nicest lands and bestowed godlike powers upon them: wisdom, valour and craft, justice, mercy and love.
Izanami's immortal gods were jealous and decided to rebel.
Susa-no-wo: "Celestial Mother, thou hast elevated thy Earth Children to the rank of Gods, so that even I mist needs toil as their slave and harness my storm steeds to their sea chariots!"
Izanami was confused on why her offspring condemned her.
She then bore another son, Kagu-tsuchi (the terrible God of Fire). While giving birth, Izanami was badly burned, but survived and sad to see that she gave birth to an evil-hearted child. So, she had another son, the God of Water. She told the God of Water to calm his brother with cooling streams, the God of Fire, whenever his brother's temper was violent.
After she said this, Izanami died and descended into Yomi, the abode of departed spirits
Izanagi grieved for the loss of his wife and went to seek her spirit and bring her back
Portal of Yomi--where none may return. He asked Izanami to return with him, but she said it was too late because she had already eaten the bread of Yomi. He went in after her, but when he reached his wife, she melted between his fingers.
Izanagi, pursued by the Furies of Remorse, ascended the Earth-stairway and dwelt upon the isle of Ahaji, in an abode of eternal gloom.
Story Idea: Specific Story - Japan: Izanagi and Izanami (cont.)
-write the story from the perspective of Izanagu or Izanami
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