from the floating world

Izanami-no-mikoto (伊弉冉尊) and Izanagi-no-mikoto (伊弉諾尊)

Izanami and Izanagi are the Shinto kami responsible for the creation of the first land on Earth, made by stirring the sea with a jeweled spear, Ame no Nuhoko (天沼矛). After making their home on this land, Izanami gave birth to the islands of Japan as well as many new kami. Izanami died when her child Kagutsuchi (軻遇突智), the kami of fire, was born. Izanagi followed her to Yomi (the underworld) with the intention of bringing her back. Upon seeing her rotting body, however, Izanagi fled and sealed the entrance of Yomi with a boulder. In her shame, Izanami told him that she would kill a 1000 people every day, and Izanagi replied that he would cause 1500 to be born.

Kami (神)

Kami are spirits in Shintoism. The word kami is often translated as “gods”, however in Shintoism this is not always accurate. Though some kami take on the form of a deity, most kami are simply the spirits or essence of different aspects of the world, such as trees, rivers, or animals. There are innumerable kami living alongside humans.

junxushangrila:

YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Gravemarker moon, sotōba no tsuki

kyotodreamtrips:

Takachiku jinjya in Kamikoma City-Kyoto!

While we were hiking in the Kamikoma area we stumbled upon this small shrine in the bamboo forest. Next to the main shrine there is a miniature shrine. Very peaceful place….

That miniature shrine is so cute!

dreams-of-japan:

1000 years old tree by AOI-Alt on Flickr.

Kagura by nobuojp on Flickr.

Artist:Eizan

Title:Utsusemi

Seals:Kiwame and Wakasaya(publisher)

Series:Twelve Images from the Tale of Genji

iMedium:Woodblock Print

Date:c. 1820

(Source: tsmskimonoyokubo)

(Source: miyako-odori)