Yomotsu Hirasaka- Japanese LocationLocation · Landmark"Slope of Yomi"
Also known as: 黄泉比良坂
Description
At the top of this dark slope, Izanagi heaved a boulder across the passage and sealed the living from the dead. From opposite sides of the stone, he and Izanami spoke their last words: she would kill a thousand each day, and he would see fifteen hundred born.
Mythology & Lore
The Slope
Yomotsu Hirasaka is the slope connecting Yomi, the land of the dead, to the world above. Izanagi raced up through its darkness with the dead in pursuit: the Yomotsu-shikome first, then the Thunder Deities and fifteen hundred warriors of Yomi. At the top of the slope, three peaches grew at the boundary. He hurled them at the host behind him, and the living fruit drove the dead back.
The Boulder
At the exit, Izanagi found the Chibiki-iwa, a boulder so heavy a thousand men could not move it, and dragged it across the passage. The boundary between the worlds was sealed.
From opposite sides of the stone, the estranged couple spoke their final words. Izanami: "Each day I shall kill one thousand of your people." Izanagi: "Then each day I shall cause fifteen hundred to be born."
In Higashiizumo, Shimane Prefecture, a rock in a mountain pass is venerated as the Chibiki-iwa. A small shrine marks the spot.
Relationships
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