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Shinto cosmology is the traditional Japanese understanding of the universe’s origins, structure, and the role of divine beings known as kami. Rooted in ancient myths recorded in texts such as the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, Shinto cosmology offers a worldview where the natural world and spiritual realm are deeply interconnected, emphasizing harmony between humans, nature, and the divine.
Origins of the Universe
editAccording to Shinto myth, before creation, there was a formless chaos, a primordial void called Ame-no-ukihashi (Heavenly Floating Bridge). From this void emerged the first deities, known as Kotoamatsukami, who were invisible and intangible spirits representing fundamental forces, whom were also the first gods to come in this world after the creation of the whole universe. Following them, the more active kami, such as Izanagi and Izanami[1] 2nd reference: [2], descended to create the physical world.
Izanagi (the male deity) and Izanami (the female deity) stirred the chaotic waters with a jeweled spear, and as they lifted it, drops fell and formed the first land, Onogoro Island. The divine couple then engaged in a ritual marriage, birthing the islands of Japan and many other kami, including natural elements like mountains, rivers, and trees.
Structure of the Cosmos
editShinto cosmology does not present a rigidly defined cosmological system but envisions the world as composed of three interrelated realms:
Takamagahara (High Celestial Plain): The dwelling place of the heavenly kami, including Amaterasu, the sun goddess and ancestor of the imperial family.
Ashihara no Nakatsukuni (The Central Land of Reed Plains): The earthly realm, which humans inhabit. It is Japan itself, sacred and infused with kami.
'Yomi no Kuni (The Underworld): The land of the dead, a shadowy realm where Izanami resides after her death.[3]
These realms interact dynamically, with kami moving between them and influencing human affairs. Kami inhabit natural features, ancestral spirits, and sacred objects, all participating in the ongoing creation and maintenance of the world’s harmony.
Role of Kami
editKami in Shinto cosmology are spirits or deity's that embody natural phenomena, ancestral spirits, and abstract concepts like fertility and growth. They are not omnipotent gods but powerful spiritual presences requiring respect and ritual veneration. Their favor ensures fertility, health, and prosperity; their anger can bring misfortune.
Kami are worshipped through rituals, offerings, and festivals conducted at shrines, which serve as physical and spiritual gateways between humans and the divine world.
Cosmology and Human Life
editShinto cosmology emphasizes living in harmony with nature and the kami. It teaches that humans are part of a sacred world sustained by kami’s presence. Purity and ritual cleanliness are vital to maintain this harmony, preventing pollution (kegare) that disrupts the natural order.
The cosmological stories also underpin the legitimacy of the imperial family, believed to be descendants of Amaterasu, reinforcing the spiritual foundation of Japan’s cultural and political identity.[4]
- ^ The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. "Izanagi and Izanami". Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Aug. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Izanagi. Accessed 10 August 2025.
- ^ Cartwright, Mark. “Izanami and Izanagi.” World History Encyclopedia, 6 Dec. 2012, www.worldhistory.org/Izanami_and_Izanagi/.
- ^ echo. “Heaven, Hell and Reeds: Japanese Myths.” Sunwayechomedia.com, 30 Sept. 2020, sunwayechomedia.com/2020/09/30/heaven-hell-and-reeds-japanese-myths/.
- ^ Smith, Michaela. “Japanese Mythology: Cosmogony.” Canadianstudies.isp.msu.edu, 29 Aug. 2019, canadianstudies.isp.msu.edu/news_article/22292.
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