Izanagi and Izanami Poster

Izanagi and Izanami, created by the ancient gods, siblings living in the primordial chaos, united on an island they had created with a spear to give birth to the first kamis (spirits) of the world, shaping it.

But while she was giving birth to the kami of fire, Izanami got burnt terribly, and passed away. Insane with sadness, her brother murdered the baby and burried his love. Then he decided to go look for her in hell.

Izanagi entered the kingdom of the dead and found his late wife, but she forbid him to look at her face and hid. She told him she couldn't live now without the death kamis' agreement and asked him to wait for it.

But Izanagi couldn't resist the temptation and saw her dead rotting face, monstruous and eaten by worms. Humiliated, Izanami pursued him through hell, but he managed to escape and scealed the entrance. Abandoned, Izanami threatened her brother to kill a thousand lives a day if he let her in hell. But he answered he would create fifteen hindred more.

And so was born the cycle of life and death.

Series of illustrations made for my end year project, about japanese legends.

This one is the poster going behind the story illustrations, showing the sibling gods creating the japanese islands by drowing a spear into the ocean and then agitating it. Each water drop gave birth to an island.

Colored inks, watercolours, indian ink and collage on paper.