Title : The Gods Izanagi and Izanami on the Floating Bridge of Heaven

Artist : Utagawa Hiroshige

Date : c. 1847 - 1852

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Source : Honolulu Museum of Art
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Description : This print was conserved with the support of the Robert F. Lange Foundation. Izanagi and Izanami were deities who created Japan by swirling a spear into the ocean and lifting it out. The droplets from the spear fell back to the water and created the first land, Onogoroshima. They crossed the floating bridge of heaven and made the island their home. When they decided to mate, they walked around the pillar of heaven and Izanami spoke first. Their first child was a deformed leech child, Hiruko. They asked the gods what to do and the gods said Izanagi should have spoken first. Izanagi and Izanami walked around the pillar of heaven again and this time Izanagi spoke first. They slept together and Izanami gave birth to the islands of Japan. A text of the story is provided along with captions for Izanami (left), Izanagi (right), and the Floating Bridge of Heaven. Land floats along the sides, signaling that Izanagi has already dipped the spear into the water.

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