Kojiki and Nihon Shoki

In the beginning, everything was chaos stretching endlessly, and no gods existed.
After a long time, heaven and earth separated, and in the sky appeared Amenominakanushi, along with two other deities.
Amenominakanushi, the first deity to appear in the Kojiki, is said to be the source of the universe. Because of its sacredness, it hid itself soon after appearing and was never seen again.
Along with two more deities, these five are called Kotoamatsukami, special gods who appeared at the time of creation.
Later, the world was divided into the heavenly realm Takama-ga-hara, the earthly realm Ashihara-no-Nakatsukuni, and the underworld Yomi-no-Kuni.
Even on “earth,” the ground was soft and unstable, with plant-like things floating on the water’s surface, and as it developed, many gods were born.
Finally, the gods Izanaki and Izanami were born. The Kotoamatsukami ordered them to create the land of Ashihara-no-Nakatsukuni, and the pair, now husband and wife, used a spear from the Floating Bridge of Heaven to form islands.
This is said to be the beginning of Japan: Awaji Island, Shikoku, and many other islands were created, with Honshu forming last.

After creating the land, Izanaki and Izanami gave birth to many gods, including those of soil and water.
But when Izanami gave birth to the last one, the fire god, she was badly burned and died.
Grief-stricken, Izanaki went to Yomi-no-Kuni, but when he saw Izanami’s changed form, he fled in fear, shaking off those who pursued him.
After escaping the underworld, Izanaki began a purification ritual at a riverbank. Then, strangely, gods began appearing one after another.
When he washed his left eye, Amaterasu Omikami was born. From his right eye came Tsukuyomi no Mikoto, and from his nose came Susanoo no Mikoto.
Because these three were especially sacred, they are called the Three Precious Children (Sankishi).
Delighted, Izanaki told Amaterasu to rule Takama-ga-hara, Tsukuyomi to rule the night world, and Susanoo to rule the seas.

After facing many hardships, Okuninushi no Mikoto traveled to Ne-no-Katasu-kuni, where he met Susanoo’s daughter, Suseribime, and the two grew fond of each other.
Susanoo set an overwhelming number of trials, but Okuninushi overcame them and, seizing an opportunity, tried to flee with Suseribime.
When they finally escaped, Susanoo saw them off with words of encouragement, telling him to cherish his daughter and rule Izumo.
Okuninushi went on to govern Izumo, but Amaterasu was dissatisfied and sent envoys to the earth to bring it under control.
However, the envoys sent on two occasions were won over by Okuninushi, and the plan became increasingly difficult, so Amaterasu decided to send the warrior god Takemikazuchi.
Takemikazuchi defeated Okuninushi’s two sons by force and secured Okuninushi’s agreement to hand over the land.
In exchange, Okuninushi demanded the construction of a grand shrine in Izumo, in line with Susanoo’s wishes.
This is said to be how today’s Izumo Taisha came to be built.

After receiving the earthly realm (Ashihara-no-Nakatsukuni) from Okuninushi, Amaterasu told her son, Ame-no-Oshihomimi no Mikoto, to take control.
But Ame-no-Oshihomimi suggested, “I’ve been blessed with a child, so let the child rule instead,” and Ninigi no Mikoto was chosen.
Amaterasu gave Ninigi the Three Sacred Treasures (the Yata Mirror, the Kusanagi Sword, and the Yasakani no Magatama jewel), and especially instructed him to enshrine her through the Yata Mirror.
Then Ninigi and his companions descended to Takachiho (in present-day Miyazaki Prefecture), and life on earth began.
Because Ninigi, Amaterasu’s grandson, descended from the heavens to the earth, this event is called Tenson Korin, “the descent of the heavenly grandchild.”

While working to build the land in Hyuga, Ninigi met Konohanasakuya-bime one day, fell in love at first sight, and quickly proposed.
When Sakuya-bime told her father, Oyamatsumi no Kami, he was delighted and decided to send her older sister, Iwanaga-hime, as well.
But while Sakuya-bime was lovely, Iwanaga-hime was considered unattractive, so Ninigi sent Iwanaga-hime back.
Oyamatsumi explained that Iwanaga-hime had the power of “long life like rock,” while Sakuya-bime represented “prosperity that blooms like flowers,” and that sending them together was important.
But Ninigi refused, and so even gods came to have lifespans like humans.
Later, Ninigi and Sakuya-bime spent one night together, and when her pregnancy was revealed so quickly, Ninigi doubted her.
To prove her innocence, Sakuya-bime took a desperate action: she gave birth inside a burning hut, delivering safely even as flames surrounded her.
The children born were Hoderi no Mikoto, Hosuseri no Mikoto, and Hoori no Mikoto.