A creation of Japan is supported by myths. Among many historical scriptures, Kojiki, edited in the early 7th century, is regarded as the sources of all the myth.
The beginning of Kojiki reads…
“After the formation of the heaven and the earth, seven generations of the age of gods emerged. At the end of the age, Izanagi and Izanami were born. *snip* When Izanagi came back from Yomi-no-kuni, a land of dead, he washed his body in the river for the rite of purification. When he washed his body parts with water, 3 deities came into beings; Amaterasu-ohmikami from his left eye, Tsukuyomi-no-mikoto from his right eye, and Susano-no-mikoto from his nose.”
It tells us that Japan was created in the water. Here you can see the origin of why Japan is referred as a “land of water”.
Water is not only for quenching one’s thirst, but it means more to Japanese people. It is to purify and strengthen one’s body, and it is something to respect and worship.
The myth clearly shows how the water came to play an important role in Japanese culture and legend.
For those reasons, the water is essential for various religious rituals even nowadays, as well as for people’s culture which has been passed on to generation to generation. Water is the essence of Japanese people and culture.
Now, I would like to focus on the theme of “water and I.”
