Awaji Shima

• • Co-ordinates: 34°23′N 134°50′E
  • Region: Kansai Region
  • Prefecture: Hyōgo Prefecture

Awaji Shima

Awaji Shima (淡路島, Foamway Isle) is one of the many islands of Japan.

Mythological Origins

It was the first of the Great Land of Eightfold Isles created by Izanami and Izanagi, inhabited by the kami Awajinohonosawake according to the kojiki. Its location is between N.E Shikoku and Honshu.¹

As Awa Shima (Froth Isle) it is stated to have been one of the first children of Izanami and Izanagi. Its name suggests it was an insubstantial being and so like the Leech Child was abandoned. Its name could also be rendered as Shame Isle or Unmet Isle.¹

In the nihongi Ahaji no Shima is stated as the first island born to both these kami and looking like a placenta they did not like it and cast it aside. A different version of the nihongi states it was the second things born to the two kami.

Later within the text of the nihongi it states that Izanagi finally came to retire here after all his work in creating the Islands and kami of Japan was completed. It is said he dwelt here in concealment and silence.²

Reign of Emperor Suinin

During the reign of this Emperor one of the Divine Treasures brought originally to Japan by Prince Amanohihoko magically appears upon the island where it was given a shrine and worshipped as a kami.²

Footnotes

1. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
2. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.

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