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I would like to introduce some background information on Japanese culture for non-Japanese readers to deepen their understanding of the story when reading "Kamisama Kiss".
Today's topic is Izanami.
Why does Izanami change every time she meets Nanami?
"I borrowed the form of a person in your heart...As my own form is no more." (Vol.8, #43)
Izanami is the Japanese goddess of creation and death, and wife of creator god Izanagi. She died giving birth to Kagu-tsuchi (a fire deity) and now rules the land of the dead.
In Japanese mythology, Izanagi shouts "Ah" when he sees Izanami rotting in the land of dead. In my view, this is the beginning of the issue of "the true quality of things."
As a result, the two broke up and humans could never go back and forth between the aboveground and the land of dead. In addition, 1,000 people die a day on the ground, and 1,500 children are born.
When I first read this myth, I thought it was an adventure of Izanagi, but it's terrible from the perspective of Izanami.
Every time Nanami meets, Izanami changes her appearance because Izanami's substance has disappeared.
But more than that, she deserves to raise the issue of "the true quality of things."
Even Izanagi and Izanami, the first couple Kami in Japanese mythology, break up on the issue of "the true quality of things."
This is probably a primitive issue inherent in our way of thinking.
Likewise, there are eight million Kami in Japanese mythology, and although they do wonderful things, they often mischief or leave themselves to their emotions, and are often depicted in a truly unique and human form. While Kami have mysterious powers, we feel close to them.
