The Story of Iwatsuchibiko - Episode 3: The Eternal Earth and the Foundation that Nurtures Life

This is a completely original KAMIYO special episode that fills the “void” left unrecorded in the history books of Japanese mythology.

We weave the hidden, true tale of the gods here.

Welcome to the abyssal world of Japanese mythology.

Prologue: The Calming Earth and the Rich Scars

A long time had passed since the giant crustal movement that shook Oyashimakuni subsided.

The bedrock of Iwatsuchibiko-no-Kami and the sand of Iwasuhime-no-Kami had intersected, creating a "fault line" that parries each other's impacts, allowing the earth to regain stability in the truest sense.

Places where fissures once opened collected water to become beautiful valleys, and the uplifted bedrock had transformed into epic mountain ranges piercing the heavens.

Being wounded, shattering, and having those gaps filled by sand. That very history of pain brought complex undulations to the earth and created a rich environment for diverse life to breathe.

"Look, Iwasuhime. To think that the scars carved into my body would create such beautiful scenery."

Looking up at the lush green mountains on the surface from deep within the earth, Iwatsuchibiko-no-Kami murmured in a gentle voice.

The traces of the solitary god of rock, who once boasted of absolute hardness and immutability, were no longer there. His eyes harbored a warm light, like a father cherishing the life growing upon him.

Chapter 1: Weathering Rock and the Soil of Life

"Yes. Even your strong rocks will not remain in their original form for eternity."

Iwasuhime-no-Kami smiled as she nestled close to her husband's giant rocky shoulder.

The rock surface of Iwatsuchibiko-no-Kami that had uplifted to the surface had begun to weather, slowly scraped away over long years by the wind and rain blown by the wind gods.

But Iwatsuchibiko-no-Kami no longer felt anger or sorrow over this.

Because the scraped-off fragments of rock became fine sand, becoming a part of Iwasuhime-no-Kami's body and piling up on the earth.

Rock shatters into sand, and when dead leaves and water mingle there, the soft "soil" to nurture life is born. He knew that chipping away at his own body, commingling with his wife's gentleness, enriched the life on the surface.

"The more my body is scraped away, the richer the earth becomes. Then, until the day this body completely returns to sand, I shall gladly embrace the wind and rain."

"Hehe. If you completely turn into sand, who will support this country from below? Please, remain a strong rock forever."

The two gods laughed quietly at the bottom of the earth, as if affirming each other's existence.

Chapter 2: The Far Future, the Footsteps of Humans

Eventually, Iwatsuchibiko-no-Kami closed his eyes deeply and, through the heartbeat of the earth, turned his consciousness to the far-off future.

Beyond the eternal time when the gods would hide their forms and Oyashimakuni would welcome the era of "humans."

"Eventually, this land will be overflowing with countless humans. Unlike beasts, they will not merely sleep upon the soil, but will use their wisdom to try to 'remake' this earth."

It was exactly as Iwatsuchibiko-no-Kami foresaw.

Humans would eventually cut down trees to fend off the cold wind and rain, beginning to build their own "houses." Furthermore, they would dig up the soil to create fields, building their own place—the "nest of humans"—within great nature.

"When they build their houses, our power will surely be needed. For if the earth shakes, their fragile houses will not stand a chance."

Chapter 3: The Rock where Gods Dwell and the Foundation of the House

"I shall become their 'foundation stone' (ishizue)."

Iwatsuchibiko-no-Kami declared powerfully.

"When humans raise pillars, they should place my alter egos, the 'foundation stones' (soseki), beneath them. As long as my rock serves as the foundation, even if a thousand-year storm blows, their houses will never fall."

A space for the small lives known as humans to sleep peacefully and protect their families. To continuously support that absolute safety in silence from the bottom of the earth. That was his new mission as the god of rock.

In later eras, people would come to revere giant rocks as sacred "Iwakura" and invariably offer prayers to the god of the land (Jichin) before building a house. This is a manifestation of humans' instinctive gratitude and awe toward the solemn divine protection of Iwatsuchibiko-no-Kami.

Chapter 4: The Warm Clay Vessel and the Nest of Life

"Then I shall become the 'warmth of their livelihood'."

Iwasuhime-no-Kami also made a gentle vow toward the humans of the future.

"With just a rock foundation, the inside of the house remains cold. Humans will eventually knead my sand and clay, place it over a fire, and create 'vessels.' And they will surely build 'hearths' (kamado) for cooking."

As she said, earthenware and hearths made from earth would become indispensable in human civilization.

"I shall warm their dining tables and become the vessels to sustain their lives. You protect the house from outside threats, and I will nurture the smiles of the family inside the house. Only then will a human house truly become a reassuring 'nest'."

The "Rock" (Foundation) of Iwatsuchibiko-no-Kami and the "Earth" (Nest) of Iwasuhime-no-Kami.

Only with the power of these two gods could humans build what is called a "home" amidst great nature and sustain their lives with peace of mind.

Chapter 5: The Eternal Foundation, Invisible Love

"Splendid. With the bond of us two gods, humans will be able to let life prosper eternally in this Oyashimakuni."

Iwatsuchibiko-no-Kami was deeply moved by his wife's words and gently embraced her with his tough arms.

They lacked the flamboyance of the wind god dancing high in the heavens, or the vast beauty of the sea god.

Their place was always at the dark, cold bottom of the earth, out of sight from anyone.

However, they were no longer alone.

They had the weight of countless lives breathing upon them, and the warmth of a beloved wife smiling right beside them.

"Come, let us sink deeply, even deeper. We shall become an invisible foundation and continue to support this beautiful country for eternity."

"Yes, my husband. My sand will endlessly and gently wrap the world that you support."

The two earth gods firmly clasped each other's hands and slowly sank to the boundary of Ne-no-Katasukuni (The Firm Root Country), the deepest place in Oyashimakuni.

Even after their forms completely disappeared from the surface, the heartbeat of the earth continued to pulse powerfully and warmly.

The silent skeleton of rock, and the healing cradle of sand.

No matter how long human history continues from here, these two "invisible loves," never stepping out into the open, will never waver, continuing to support our feet for eternity.