15. Brother and sister deities create all life in Japan; one vows to kill one thousand people a day, while the other vows to create 1,500.
Izanagi and Izanami, or “The Male Who Invites” and “The Female who Invites”, were a brother and a sister the Japanese deities created. These deities commanded that Izanagi and Izanami solidify the lands of Japan. The deities gifted a jeweled spear to the pair, and they dipped the spear into the ocean. When they pulled up the spear, the drop of water that landed back onto the ocean became the Japan. On the land, Izanagi and Izanami built a large palace and were soon married. The pair attempted to procreate and made many deities. However, when Izanami gave birth to a fire deity, she was so badly burnt that she died.
Izanagi grieved and wept, and from his tears, more deities were created. Missing Izanami terribly, Izanagi traveled to the underworld to retrieve her. Unfortunately, darkness had overtaken her and she tried to chase Izanagi out. So enraged by Izanagi’s presence, Izanami swore to kill one thousand of his creations every day. In return, Izanagi swore to create 1,500 Japanese people every single day. It is told that this is the reason why one thousand people in Japan die, and 1,500 babies are born each day.