I’m over at Part Time Monster today, continuing my monthly series on Japanese female monsters. This post talks about Izanami, goddess of creation. She birthed the islands of Japan, and eventually, brought death to them, too. Find out why over there! 🙂
Ariel Hudnall 
11 responses to “Izanami-no-Mikoto: She-Who-Invites”
Isn’t it amazing to find the similarities of creation stories in different cultures? Makes you wonder…
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Oh, definitely. As I mentioned in a comment over there, it was strange to keep feeling like I was ripping scenes out of another story as I writing the tale down. I guess there really are worldwide archetypes that any culture can relate to.
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Izanami is one of my favorites in Japanese mythology. Yet after reading Sho Murase’s comic Sei: Death and Legend I can’t help myself but picture all the characters in her particular illustration style. Lol!
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I’ll have to pick up that one! Sounds cool. ^_^
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This is so neat. I love mythical creation stories!
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It is a fascinating story and one I’d not come across before – but the red mist always descends when I come to bits about women not talking out of place / walking behind / being the spare rib etc! Sigh….
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Yes, but at least in this case, we can blame Izanagi for death and pestilence! He should have listened to her! 😉
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They should always listen to us! And vice versa of course.
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Really enjoyed your post and the story. So strange that there are so many parallels between this story and Orpheus.
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Wow. I’ve always loved the story of Orpheus, but I have to say that after reading about Izanami I’m kind of like, “Eurydice who?”
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This story does kinda have that effect, haha. I just love the imagery of a decomposing wife sending hellions after her no-good husband. 😛
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