Creation Myth

• According to Japanese mythology, the world was simply formless chaos until Heaven emerged from the chaos while Earth took millions of years to fully form. Soon five gods were born that became known as the Separate Heavenly Deities, followed by countless other gods. A pair of gods, Izanagi and Izanami were tasked with the assignment of creating land on Earth, and eventually created the islands of Japan.
  
  

Amaterasu

• Amaterasu, the goddess representing both fertility and the sun, is considered the main deity of Japan. Izanagi created Amaterasu as well as her brother, the god of storms and seas, Susano-O and the god of the moon Tsuki-Yomi, by washing himself in a stream. As he bathed, Amaterasu sprung from his left eye, Tsuki-Yomi from his right and Susano-O from his nose.
  
  

Emperors

• Japanese emperors were once considered divine descendants of Amaterasu. Japan's first emperor, Jimmu Tenno, is the grandson of Amaterasu's grandson Ninigi no Mikoto and Mount Fuji's goddess. Succeeding emperors are thus descendants of Jimmu, though scholars debate the actual existence of the first nine emperors.
  
  

The Japanese Flag

• The Japanese flag, also known as the Hinomaru, was not originally meant to be the Japanese national flag. Originally, the flag was meant for Japanese ships to signify their country of origin, but eventually became considered the national flag due to practice and became the official flag in 1999. The red circle in the center signifies the Sun.
  
  

Cherry Blossoms

• Flowers are important in Japanese culture, as there is an entire art devoted to the arranging of flowers called "ikebana." Cherry blossoms, also called "sakura," are particularly significant in Japanese culture. On the tree, the flowers collectively resemble big pink clouds, and their fast period of blooming in spring signifies the briefness of life. Japan has a tradition of celebrating the blooming of cherry blossoms with viewings called "hanami."