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For my introduction to the topic, I'm going to review the base tale of Izanami and Izanagi. It's a fairly appropriate starting point. This is going to be extremely abridged, so please bare with me. Also, terms may very from different translations as there are numerous sources from which all Shinto characteristics are derived.

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The tale starts with the two of the three initial beings to come to be (hitorigami), Kunitokotachi and Amenominakanushi (the third being Kamimushi). These three are said to have come into existence alone, and once they achieved awareness separated themselves from the physical world. It is rumored as they are "born of nothing" that they are thusly genderless.

Kunitokotachi and Amenominakanushi took upon themselves creating the two initial Omikami (gods of heaven) Izanagi: a strong and warrior-esque male, and Izanami: a beautiful and elegant maiden. After their creation, they were charged with the task of creating of and populating the earth. Upon such orders, Izanagi dipped his spear into the Sea from the heavens, and thus were created the initial islands of Japan.

After their creation of the lands, they soon took to the creation of other notable Omikami. Ranging from the well known Amaterasu (goddess of the Sun) to Inari (goddess/god of rice, fertility, and kitsune or foxes if you will) and many many more. Upon giving birth to Kagutsuchi (god of fire), she was severely burned and thusly transitioned in death to the Underworld.

Grieving greatly from his loss, Izanagi traveled with determination to the Underworld to retrieve her. Upon finding her in the Underworld though, she was only able to leave on one condition. Izanagi was to not look back upon her as they left (very similar to the greek tale of Orpheus and Eurydice). Upon seeing the light from beyond the Underworld, Izanagi forgetfully looked back though. Upon looking back he found his wife as a rotting corpse living and breathing behind him.

Frightfully, Izanagi flew from the Underworld which Izanami had now become the ruler of. In an absolute rage, Izanami created the Shikome (fierce female demons which bring pestilence, ill-luck, and misfortune where they go) and sent them after Izanagi. Izanagi though, escaped the affects and attack of the Shikome. Thus it came to be the Izanagi would remain in the heavens, and Izanami in the Underworld.

That is the initial tale, very abridged as formentioned. Some details may vary in different interpretations, as with any type of theology.

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At any rate, I hope this was informational for any of you. v`v

Thank you for your time.

There certainly are a great deal of similarities between many religions. Which I always found very interesting with the due geographical separation of many societies.

The Shikome actually became astounding figures amongst the demons of Shinto. Hopefully though, girlfriends in modern Japan don't try to send demons after their boyfriends. That would be no-good, huzzah.

Izanagi and Izanami we're both created from the same source, and seen as brother and sister. With this in mind, they we're also married. Which seems to be a recurring theme amongst many gods and goddesses of all religions, though usually born through very "different" means.

It is really a rather sad tale, as in creation being brought about for their purposes yet also, for one another.

Oh, and I don't mind, random thoughts tend to be the best way into new discovery wink .

There will certainly be more to come.

Huzzah! (#2)