Kuniumi

The Kuniumi (国産み, meaning "birth or formation of the country") refers to the traditional and the legendary formation/birth of the Japanese archipelago of islands written in the Kojiki in Japanese mythology. The formation of the Kunimi preceded the formation of the Kamiumi.

In Mythology

Origin

After the creation of Heaven and Earth, the god Izanagi and his wife Izanami were tasked with forming a the land, specifically a series of islands. To do so, Izanagi was given a heavenly spear called Ame-no-Nuboko decorated in fine jewels. As the two stood on the Floating Bridge of Heaven, Izanagi stirred the primordial dark sea with his spear. Upon raising his spear, the salty drops formed the first island, soon followed by the rest of the land.

In the Nihon Shoki, the only main difference is that the pair volunteered to form the land, rather than being tasked with it, and the other gods do not appear.

Birth Order of the Islands

The first island, known as Onogoroshima, became the home of him and his wife and was the location of the Pillar of Heaven which supported their palace. After that they formed the eight islands known as Ōyashima to be inhabited by the mortals:

1. Awaji-no-ho-no-sawake-no-shima (淡道之穂之狭別島): In present day known as Awaji Island.
2. Iyo-no-futana-no-shima (伊予之二名島): In present day known as Shikoku.
3. Oki-no-mitsugo-no-shima (隠伎之三子島): In present day known as Oki Islands.
4. Tsukushi-no-shima (筑紫島): In present day known as Kyūshū.
5. Iki-no-shima (伊伎島): In present day known as Iki Island.
6. Tsu-shima (津島): In present day known as Tsushima Island.
7. Sado-no-shima (佐度島): In present day known as Sado Island.
8. Ohoyamatotoyoakitsu-shima (大倭豊秋津島): In present day known as Honshu.

Additional islands beyond these main eight were born afterwards.