Early Japanese mythology, recorded in the historical texts Kojiki (712 AD) and Nihon Shoki (720 AD), describes a world shaped from primordial chaos. At the center of this cosmology stand the primordial gods (Kami) Izanagi (“He who invites”) and Izanami (“She who invites”).
They are not only the creators of the Japanese islands, but also the key figures in explaining life, death, and ritual purity in Shintoism.
The Creation of the World (Kuniumi)
Legend has it that the heavenly gods commanded Izanagi and Izanami to solidify the still formless, drifting land. Standing on the Floating Bridge of Heaven, they plunged a jewel-encrusted spear into the primordial ocean. As they raised the spear again, salty water dripped from the tip. These drops coagulated and formed Onogoro-shima, the first island of Japan.
On this island, the two were married and subsequently gave birth to the other islands of the Japanese archipelago as well as countless nature deities (Kami) who inhabited the mountains, rivers, winds, and trees.
The Descent into the Underworld (Yomi)
The act of creation came to a tragic end with the birth of the fire god Kagutsuchi. Izanami suffered fatal burns and passed away, bringing death into the world for the first time.
Overwhelmed by grief, Izanagi traveled to Yomi-no-kuni, the dark realm of the dead, to bring back his wife. Izanami agreed to return with him, but asked him to wait patiently and not to look at her while she negotiated with the gods of the underworld. Izanagi broke this taboo: he ignited the tooth of his comb and beheld the decaying form of his wife, surrounded by demons.
Offended and full of wrath over this disgrace, Izanami unleashed the hordes of the underworld upon him. Izanagi managed to escape, and he sealed the entrance to the underworld with a massive boulder.
The Eternal Cycle and the Ritual (Misogi)
At this rock, the two creator gods exchanged their final vows. Izanami threatened to kill a thousand people of his land every day in revenge. Izanagi replied that, in return, he would build one thousand five hundred birthing huts every day to create new life. Thus, the mythological balance between life and death, creation and impermanence was sealed.
To cleanse himself from the impurity of the realm of the dead, Izanagi subsequently bathed in a river. From this act of ritual purification (Misogi), the noblest gods of the pantheon were born, including Amaterasu, the goddess of the sun.
A Liquid Tribute to Duality
This fundamental duality – the radiant, cool purity of life and the dark, warm depth of the underworld – forms the basis for two of our beers that are inextricably linked.
- Izanagi – Japanese Rice Lager: Dedicated to the god of creation and purity. An extremely crisp, pale, and dry lager that, through the use of rice flakes, evokes the clear water of the Misogi ritual.
- Izanami – Red Porter: The tribute to the mistress of the underworld. A soft, complex porter with a dark ruby-red color, velvety malty sweetness, and earthy caramel notes.
Although these beers are absolute opposites in taste, they share a common heart: we used the Japanese hop variety Sorachi Ace in both brews. A subtle, unifying note of lemon and herbs that reminds us that light and shadow share the same origin.