Yomi: Unveiling the Dark Myths of Japan’s Underworld

When travelers dream of Japan, they often visualize cherry blossoms, neon-lit streets of Tokyo, or the serene torii gates of Kyoto. Yet, beneath the surface of the country’s vibrant living culture lies a shadowy realm deeply embedded in its ancient mythology: Yomi (黄泉), the Land of the Dead.

Unlike the fiery damnation of Western hells, Yomi is a place of gloom, shadows, and eternal decay. For the cultural enthusiast and the adventurous traveler, understanding Yomi offers a fascinating glimpse into how ancient Japan conceptualized death, impurity, and the separation of the mortal and divine worlds.

Origins and Concept

The word “Yomi” is often translated as “Yellow Springs,” a term likely borrowed from Chinese mythology. However, the Japanese concept is distinctly Shinto. In the Shinto worldview, death is associated with kegare (impurity or pollution). Yomi is not necessarily a place of punishment for sinners; rather, it is simply where the dead go to rot.

Historically, Yomi was believed to be a physical place located underground, connected to the land of the living by a specific slope or pass. It represents the ultimate darkness, contrasting the “Central Land of Reed Plains” (the living world) and the “Plain of High Heaven” (the realm of the gods). The atmosphere is described as melancholic and murky, a stark departure from the purity celebrated in Shinto rituals.

The Legend of Creation and Death

The most significant myth involving Yomi is the tragic love story of the creation deities, Izanagi and Izanami. According to Japan’s oldest chronicles, these two gods created the islands of Japan. However, Izanami died while giving birth to the fire god, Kagutsuchi, and her spirit descended into Yomi.

Grief-stricken, Izanagi journeyed into the underworld to retrieve his wife. Upon finding her in the shadows, she agreed to return but told him not to look at her while she petitioned the gods of the underworld for release. Impatient, Izanagi lit a fire to see her. He was horrified to find her body rotting and covered in maggots, with thunder deities dwelling within her corpse.

Ashamed and enraged that he had seen her in her impure state, Izanami sent the hags of Yomi to chase him. Izanagi fled, eventually sealing the entrance to Yomi—the Yomotsu Hirasaka—with a massive boulder. From behind the rock, Izanami vowed to kill 1,000 people every day in revenge. Izanagi retorted that he would ensure 1,500 people were born daily. This myth explains the cycle of life and death and the permanent separation between the living and the dead.

Yomi in Modern Culture

The concept of Yomi has transcended ancient scrolls to become a staple in modern Japanese pop culture. It serves as a rich source of inspiration for anime, manga, and video games.

• Anime & Manga: In series like Naruto, techniques and dimensions are named after Yomi and the creation gods. In Noragami, the characters frequently interact with the concept of the underworld and ayakashi (spirits) born from gloom.
• Video Games: The Persona series and Shin Megami Tensei often feature Yomi as a dungeon or a realm of shadows. In Ghost of Tsushima, the imagery of the underworld influences the “Legends” mode.

These modern adaptations keep the ancient terminology alive, blending traditional folklore with contemporary dark fantasy aesthetics.

Traveler’s Tips: Visiting the Entrance to the Underworld

For those who wish to step off the beaten path, you can actually visit the legendary entrance to Yomi. It is located in Shimane Prefecture, an area known as the “Land of the Gods” due to its deep ties to mythology.

Yomotsu Hirasaka (Iya, Matsue City)

In the quiet town of Higashi-Izumo, you will find a spot marked as Yomotsu Hirasaka. While it looks like a peaceful, wooded slope today, it is atmospherically charged for those who know the history.

• The Boulder: There is a large stone monument representing the rock Izanagi used to seal the underworld.
• Atmosphere: It is a solemn, slightly eerie place, often shaded by dense trees. Locals and visitors leave letters to deceased loved ones in a mailbox nearby, hoping their words reach the other side.
• Iya Shrine: Located nearby, this shrine is dedicated to Izanami. It is a powerful spot to pay respects and see the connection between the deity of death and local worship.

Travel Etiquette: This is a place of death and separation in mythology. Maintain a respectful silence. It is not a typical tourist attraction but a site of cultural and spiritual gravity.

Sources & Further Reading

To fully appreciate the depth of these legends, I recommend consulting the primary historical texts of Japan:

• The Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters, 712 AD): This text contains the most detailed account of Izanagi’s descent into Yomi.
• The Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan, 720 AD): Offers a slightly different variation of the creation myths.
• The Cambridge History of Japan: For a scholarly overview of how these myths shaped early Japanese statehood and religion.

Visiting Yomi—conceptually or physically in Shimane—reminds us that Japanese culture embraces the shadow as much as the light. It is a journey into the human heart’s response to loss, grief, and the great unknown.