were born as twins. This is the prototype of the twin-births which sometimes take place among mankind.
Next was born the island of Koshi,[1] then the island of Oho-shima, then the island of Kibi no Ko.[2]
Hence first arose the designation of the Oho-ya-shima[3] country.
Then the islands of Tsushima and Iki, with the small islands in various parts, were produced by the coagulation of the foam of the salt-water.
It is also stated that they were produced by the coagulation of the foam of fresh water.
In one writing it is said:—"The Gods of Heaven addressed Izanagi no Mikoto and Izanami no Mikoto, (I. 8.) saying: 'There is the country Toyo-ashi-hara-chi-i-wo-aki no midzu-ho.[4] 'Do ye proceed and bring it into order.' They then gave them the jewel-spear of Heaven. Hereupon the two Gods stood on the floating bridge of Heaven, and plunging down the spear, sought for land. Then upon stirring the ocean with it, and bringing it up again, the brine which dripped from the spear-point coagulated and became an island, which was called Ono-goro-jima. The two gods descended, dwelt in this island, and erected there an eight-fathom palace.[5] They also set up the pillar of Heaven."
Then the male Deity asked the female Deity, saying:—"Is there anything formed in thy body?" She answered and said:—"My body has a place completely formed, and called the source of femineity." The male god said:—"My body again has a place completely formed, and called the source of masculinity. I desire to unite my source of
- ↑ Koshi is not an island. It comprises the present provinces of Ettchiu, Echigo, and Echizen.
- ↑ These two are not clear. Kibi is now Bingo, Bizen, and Bittchiu. Ko, "child or small," perhaps refers to the small islands of the Inland Sea.
- ↑ Great-eight-island.
- ↑ Abundant-reed-plain, thousand-five-hundrcd-harvest (or autumn) fair-ears.
- ↑ The "Kiujiki" makes the nu-boko or jewel-spear the central pillar of the house which they erected. Eight-fathom is simply a poetical expression for large. There is no special sacredness attached to the number eight.
