Izanami

*August Female; The Female Who Is Invited*

**Also Known As:** Izanami-no-mikoto

**Pantheon**: Shinto

**Title**: Matron of the Dead

## Information

According to the creation saga told in the Japanese epics, the Kojiki and the Nihonshoki, in the beginning there was chaos. The primordial world was formless, fluid, and volatile. Seven generations of invisible kami arose. In the eighth generation, Izanagi and Izanami, August Male and Female, stood on the Floating Bridge of Heaven and dipped a jeweled spear into this watery, chaotic abyss. An island, the very first land, formed, and Izanami and Izanagi descended to Earth. This primal celestial pair proceeded to create the universe.

When they sought to reproduce, they engaged in sacred marital rites. They built a pillar; then circled it in opposite directions. When they met face-to-face, Izanami spoke first. Their first child was a deformed, boneless “leech baby.” The couple sought counsel from the older kami, who advised them that their misshapen child was punishment for incorrect marital rites. Izanagi, the male, should have spoken first. Rites were repeated according to direction, and Izanami gave birth to the Japanese islands and various kami. Finally she gave birth to the kami of fire but was so badly burned in the process that she died. Buried on Mount Hiba, she traveled to Yomi, Realm of Death.

Izanagi determined to bring her back, but he had no experience of death. He traveled to Yomi, expecting to find the Izanami he remembered. Instead he discovered an animated but rotting, maggot-infested corpse. He ran for his life. When he reached safety on Earth, he rolled a huge boulder over the entrance, effectively separating the realms of life and death. Izanami now rules over Yomi as its queen.

**Sacred site:** Her mausoleum and shrine on Mount Hiba in the Chugoku Mountains

**See Also:** Ebisu; Izanagi; Kami

## Smite Lore

As Izanami gave birth to the god of Fire, his searing skin scorched her flesh. Fearful she would die, her husband, Izanagi, the man with whom she had created the world, held her close and wept. But it was too late. So grievous were the wounds, Izanami succumbed to death.

To rescue her soul, Izanagi traveled to Yomi, the realm of the darkness and death. Through the black maze he searched, until finally he came upon her, hidden amongst the shadows. He implored her to return with him. She could not, for she had already eaten the fruit that grew in Yomi. Izanagi insisted. He would not leave her in this place. He swore it.

Izanami agreed to take her husband to see the Gods of Yomi, to implore them to free her. Meanwhile, remain in darkness, she cautioned him, for the realm of the dead was not meant for the living to see. Taken by foreboding, Izanagi lit a torch and laid eyes upon his wife. No longer the graceful, elegant beauty she once was, Izanami now appeared a rotting corpse, hollow and decayed, maggot ridden and foul. Frightened and disgusted, Izanagi broke his vow and fled.

Through the bowels of Yomi he ran, pursued by the fiend that was once his wife. Escaping the cave entrance, Izanagi rolled a boulder in place to block it. Sealed within, betrayed and cursed, consumed with wrathful anger, Izanami swore, one thousand lives would she take each day. One thousand to pay for the broken promise he made.

## Appearance in Hoozuki's Coolheadedness

IntroductionIzanami and Izanagi happy with their childrenIzanami lurking behind the Gates of YomiIzanami furious at Izanagi for lookingIzanami's back as she plans the tortures for mortalsA close up of Izanami's faceIzanami angry at being removed from her positionIzanami being confronted with her inadequaciesIzanami lurking behind a pillarIzanami with a pleasant expressionIzanami sitting on a hillIzanami talking with her head turned
## Appearances in Modern Media

From SmiteFrom DislyteFrom Yu-Gi-OhFrom puzzle & DragonsFrom Hoozuki's CoolheadednessFrom Shin Megami TenseiFrom Monster StrikeFrom Aura KingdomFrom Force of WillFrom age of Ishtaria
## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes