Illustrated map of the worldview in the Kojiki, showing the major realms of Japanese mythology. The diagram includes Taka-ma-ga-hara (Heavenly Realm), Ashihara no Nakatsu Kuni (Earthly Realm), Yomi no Kuni (World of the Dead), Ne no Katasu Kuni (Realm Where Life and Death Coexist), Watatsumi no Miya (World of the Sea), Tokoyo no Kuni (Distant Land), and the World of Night. Yomotsu Hirasaka connects the earthly world to Yomi, illustrating how these realms are related in the Kojiki.

The World of Japanese Mythology

In Japanese mythology, the world is divided into three main realms.

Takama-ga-hara – The Heavenly Realm High above the sky lies Takama-ga-hara, home of the heavenly Kami such as Amaterasu, who will appear later in the story.

Ashihara-no-Nakatsukuni – The Earthly Realm This is the world of land and people — the place we live in.

The Realms Beneath the EarthThere are two mysterious worlds underground:
• Yomi-no-Kuni, the Land of the Dead, where Izanami dwells.
• Ne-no-Katasu-kuni, a faraway otherworld beyond the sea, where Susanoo will later reside.

And between the living world and the underworld lies Yomotsu-Hirasaka, the slope that connects them.

Tokura

There are also other realms, like the Sea Kingdom and the Land Beyond the Ocean. I’ll write more about those once all the characters have appeared in the story!