Major Arcana - The Creation of Japan (Part 1)
Telling the story of Izanagi, Izanami and the Creation Deities involved
When people think of tarot cards, they typically imagine cards like 'The Fool,' 'The High Priestess,' 'Wheel of Fortune,' and 'Death.'
The Major Arcana consists of twenty-two cards that depict spiritual and environmental aspects. Big major energy. These Major Arcana cards can be used on their own without the Minor Arcana.
They tell the stories of the Creation by Izanagi & Izanami; the birth of Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi and Susanoo; up until the reign of Emperor Jimmu.
Some cards have a variant, so you’ll see both of them. Feel free to use whichever that resonates with you:
Key 1 The Magician
Key 10 The Wheel of Fortune
Key 17 The Stars
Key 18 The Moon
Note: The italized text is the deck author’s note, translated to English from Japanese.
Key 0 The Fool - “Susanoo’s Visit to Takamagahara”
Upright: Freedom, hope, dreams, departure, innocence, purity, optimism
Reversed: Unpredictable, incompleteness, ignorance, recklessness
“Before going to Yomi (the Underworld) to meet Izanami, Susanoo visits his sister Amaterasu in Takamagahara.
He casually crosses the Heavenly Bridge holding a columbine flower he found along the way.
Though Susanoo isn't typically interested in flowers, he picked it simply because he found it beautiful.
However, the columbine flower carries the meaning of "foolishness" and "certain acquisition" in flower language.
Seeing Susanoo approach with this flower, Amaterasu misinterprets his intentions, thinking he's come to seize Takamagahara.
A white dog barks in warning that continuing forward will result in arrows being shot, but Susanoo remains oblivious.”
My notes: This card shows a key moment in Japanese mythology: the god Susanoo approaching the palace of his sister, Amaterasu, in the heavenly realm of Takamagahara.
Susanoo appears disheveled and casual—wearing simple white robes and slippers, holding a columbine flower.
The flower symbolizes both “foolishness” and “certain acquisition,” showing his innocence and lack of awareness of the deeper meaning behind his actions.
His carefree attitude contrasts with the seriousness of the scene: soldiers stand in rows, ready for conflict, and a white dog barks warnings that Susanoo doesn’t notice.
Above, Amaterasu watches from the upper floor of the palace, framed by a glowing white sun that represent her divine authority and purity.
Though Susanoo means no harm, his arrival with the flower is misread as a threat to take over Takamagahara.
The irony lies in this misunderstanding—his innocent gesture sparks a tense military response.
This card captures themes of innocence versus perception, social clumsiness, and how actions that seem small or harmless can lead to major consequences when seen through a different lens.
It’s also the starting point of Susanoo’s adventure (see Minor Arcana - Suits of Fire).
Key 1 The Magician - "Ame-no-uzume Danced in Front of the Heavenly Rock Cave"
Upright: Knowledge, possibility, creation, vitality, proactivity
Reversed: Lack of knowledge, lethargy, indecisiveness, passivity
After Amaterasu hides in the Heavenly Rock Cave due to Susanoo's rampage, Ame-no-Uzume dances fervently before the eight million gods to lure her out.
When the festivities reach their peak, Amaterasu slightly opens the cave door and asks, "Why is everyone so cheerful when I'm not there?"
They present the Yata-no-Kagami (Eight-Span Mirror) before her, saying "A more beautiful and magnificent god has appeared, so we're all celebrating. Would you like to see?"
My notes: This card features Ame-no-uzume, the goddess of joy and dawn, in a powerful moment of sacred performance and divine trickery.
The scene takes place during a myth when the sun goddess Amaterasu hides in a cave, plunging the world into darkness.
To help bring back the light, Ame-no-Uzume dances outside the cave, using humor, sensuality, and ritual to draw Amaterasu out.
This moment reflects the essence of the Magician archetype—transforming a dire situation through creativity and spiritual power.
Ame-no-uzume wears a magatama necklace, symbolizing spiritual authority, and holds the sacred Yata-no-Kagami mirror.
Behind her, a torii gate marks the boundary between the sacred and everyday worlds, with a sword and wand placed atop it—symbols of action and intention.
Plum blossoms bloom around her, hinting at early awakening and beauty.
Traditionally, the mirror was used to entice Amaterasu with the idea of a greater god, but here, Ame-no-Uzume turns the mirror toward the viewer.
The infinity symbol (lemniscate) within it suggests that true magic lies in self-reflection and realizing our own infinite potential.
The card beautifully combines myth, feminine power, and spiritual insight to show that transformation begins within.
Key 1 The Magician - "The Divine Pledge"
Upright: Knowledge, possibility, creation, vitality, proactivity
Reversed: Lack of knowledge, lethargy, indecisiveness, passivity
Susanoo takes a pledge with Amaterasu to prove his innocence.
When Amaterasu bites and breaks Susanoo's Totsuka-no-Tsurugi (Ten-Span Sword), three beautiful goddesses emerge.
Susanoo forcefully stays in Takamagahara, claiming the birth of these goddesses proves his lack of malicious intent.
Because they hadn't set specific conditions for proving innocence, Amaterasu allows Susanoo to stay in Takamagahara based on his terms, but this eventually leads to her retreating into the Heavenly Rock Cave.
My notes: This version of the Magician card shows a key moment from Japanese mythology: the oath between Susanoo and Amaterasu. In this scene, Amaterasu breaks Susanoo’s sword—Totsuka-no-Tsurugi—by biting it, and from it, three goddesses are born.
This act of transformation captures the Magician’s core power: turning one thing into another, creating new realities through sacred tools and intention.
The card includes all four traditional magical elements, reimagined through a Japanese lens—wands, swords, mirrors (as cups), and magatamas (as pentacles).
These objects are not only symbolic but active in the myth, used in a divine wager that leads to creation.
Though Susanoo uses the birth of the goddesses to claim innocence, no clear rules were set, making his actions both clever and questionable.
While this moment allows him to stay in the heavenly realm, it also plants the seeds of future trouble.
The card reflects the double-edged nature of manifestation—how spiritual power can create beauty, but also unintended consequences.
Key 2 The High Priestess - "Maiden of the Dragon Palace"
Upright: Intuition, insight, intelligence, gentleness, purity, mysticism
Reversed: Superficial knowledge, ignorance, nervousness
This card depicts Tamayorihime, who raised Ugayafukiaezu, the child of her sister Toyotamahime.
Toyotamahime disappeared after being seen in her true shark form during childbirth.
Later, Tamayorihime married Ugayafukiaezu and gave birth to four children: Itsuse, Inahi, Mikenu, and Wakamikenu.
The youngest, Wakamikenu, would later become Emperor Jimmu, the first emperor of Japan.
My notes: This High Priestess card features Tamayorihime, a powerful figure from Japanese mythology who blends divine mystery with earthly (or oceanly) care.
As a daughter of the sea god Watatsumi, she symbolizes the deep connection between the ocean and the moon—shown in the card by a full moon behind her and a crescent moon at her feet.
These moon symbols highlight her spiritual insight and her quiet authority over intuition and hidden knowledge.
Tamayorihime served as a shrine maiden in her father’s underwater palace and took on a sacred role when she became the guardian of her sister’s child, Ugayafukiaezu, after her sister Toyotamahime disappeared.
This act of stepping in reflects the High Priestess’s energy of sacred duty, emotional depth, and inner knowing.
Later, Tamayorihime marries the very child she raised and becomes the mother of Emperor Jimmu, the legendary first emperor of Japan.
This part of her story shows how spiritual wisdom can move from the mystical to the historical—passing through generations and shaping real-world events.
Through her, the card speaks to the quiet power of the feminine, the mysteries of intuition, and the role of spiritual insight in shaping both inner and outer worlds.
Key 3 The Empress - “Izanami the Inviting Deity”
Upright: Prosperity, fertility, love, marriage, motherhood, acceptance
Reversed: Jealousy, setbacks, vanity, emotional, moodiness
The seventh generation sister of the Seven Divine Generations born after the Separate Heavenly Deities.
Together with her brother Izanagi, she gave birth to numerous countries and gods as one of Japan's creation deities.
Depicted sitting with a loving expression, Izanami loves and brings prosperity to all things.
When giving birth to Hinokagutsuchi (Fire God), she was burned by his intense flames and died, descending to Yomi (the Underworld).
She later became the Queen of Yomi and the goddess who presides over death.
My notes: The Empress card portrays Izanami in her aspect as a primordial creator deity, one of the seven divine generations following the Separate Heavenly Deities. The imagery captures her dual nature as both a nurturing creator and a powerful divine force. She is depicted seated on a throne of wheat, connecting her to the earthly aspects of fertility and abundance while maintaining her divine status.
The card's symbolism is rich with creative and feminine power. Izanami holds two significant objects: a sceptre and a mirror. The sceptre represents creative and vital energy, the power to initiate new beginnings - fitting for one who, together with her brother-husband Izanagi, gave birth to both the lands and deities of Japan. The mirror she holds serves as a tool for emotional reflection and self-appreciation, suggesting a healthy embrace of feminine beauty and power rather than mere vanity.
There's clever wordplay in her very identity - her title 誘いの神 (Izai no kami), shared with Izanagi, means "The Inviting Deity." This dual meaning resonates through their names (IZAnagi and IZAnami) and their cosmic role as mutual inviters - to each other and to the act of creation itself. Their partnership in creating Japan and its pantheon represents the perfect balance of divine masculine and feminine creative forces.
The card captures Izanami in her benevolent aspect, showing her loving expression as she presides over prosperity and creation. However, her story contains profound tragedy - her death while giving birth to Hinokagutsuchi (Fire Deity) and subsequent transformation into the Queen of Yomi (the Underworld) adds depth to the Empress archetype. This transformation suggests that creative power encompasses both life and death, beauty and darkness, nurturing and sovereignty.
Through Izanami, the card presents a complex vision of divine feminine power - one that encompasses creation, sovereignty, beauty, and transformation. Her throne of wheat grounds these cosmic powers in earthly fertility, while her tools of staff and mirror suggest both the power to create and the wisdom to reflect on creation's purpose.
Key 4 The Emperor "Izanagi the Inviting Deity"
Upright: Dominion, stability, achievement, authority, responsibility, motivated, proactivity
Reversed: Immaturity, arrogance, haughtiness, selfishness, irresponsibility, arbitrary decisions
The seventh generation brother who, with his sister Izanami, created numerous lands and gods.
Sitting majestically with a dignified expression, Izanagi stands at the pinnacle of the world he built with Izanami.
After returning from Yomi, he performed purification rites, giving birth to many gods, including the Three Noble Children, before retiring.
My notes: This Emperor card features Izanagi, the divine father and sovereign creator in Japanese mythology, shown in his majestic form as a ruler and protector.
He sits in strength and authority, holding the Ame-no-nuboko, the Heavenly Jeweled Spear—a sacred symbol of creation that he used with Izanami to form the land of Japan.
The spear also acts as his scepter, representing both his power to create and his right to rule.
Behind Izanagi stands the sacred pillar where he and Izanami performed their marriage ritual, marking the beginning of their divine partnership.
He is surrounded by rocks, symbolizing both grounded stability and his dominion over the land itself—reinforced by the rock he holds in his hand.
The deep orange sky reflects the influence of Mars, hinting at strength, protection, and decisive leadership.
This fierceness is balanced by his role in spiritual purification—after traveling to the Underworld in search of Izanami, his cleansing rituals gave birth to new gods, including the sun, moon, and storm deities.
Through Izanagi, the card portrays the Emperor not just as a powerful ruler, but as a wise creator who carries the responsibility of leadership, balance, and the sacred order of the world.
Key 5 The Hierophant - "Divine Assembly at the Riverbank "
Upright: Order, mercy, common sense, cooperation, trust, respect, law
Reversed: Unreasonableness, distrust, stubbornness, laziness, constraint
Omoikane, who has attained enlightenment and possesses numerous thoughts, is deeply contemplative and trusted as Takamagahara's wisdom keeper.
To draw Amaterasu out from the Heavenly Rock Cave, Omoikane gathered eight million gods to discuss at a riverbank.
His idea was unprecedented and innovative, with the method existing only in his mind and recorded nowhere else.
Ame-no-Uzume and Tajikarao would become central to executing this strategy.
My notes: This Hierophant card features Omoikane, the wisdom deity of Takamagahara, shown during a key moment in mythology: the divine council to bring Amaterasu out of hiding.
Rather than acting as a rigid authority, Omoikane appears as a thoughtful guide, offering a creative solution born entirely from his own mind.
He is pictured advising Ame-no-Uzume and Tajikarao—symbols of feminine and masculine divine power—highlighting his role as a harmonizer between opposing energies.
Behind him, two scrolls represent knowledge and wisdom—both theory and practice.
His lotus-patterned robes reflect enlightenment and the deep respect he holds among the gods.
What makes this portrayal unique is that Omoikane’s wisdom is not about following tradition, but about breaking new ground.
His innovative thinking shows that true spiritual leadership often means guiding others through uncharted territory with insight, compassion, and creative problem-solving.
Key 6 The Lovers - "The Marriage Ritual"
Upright: Love, empathy, sexual pleasure, physical attraction
Reversed: Temptation, immorality, heartbreak, infidelity, hesitation, breakdown
After creating the earth and descending to the ground, Izanagi and Izanami performed their marriage ritual around the Heavenly Pillar.
Their first attempt failed because Izanami spoke first, resulting in the birth of the imperfect Hiruko, whom they set adrift in a boat.
When they tried again with Izanagi speaking first, they succeeded and went on to birth various gods.
Note: While modern medicine could now save such births, at the time there was no such technology, and imperfect beings were considered ill omens and abandoned.
My notes: This Lovers card shows the sacred marriage of Izanagi and Izanami, Japan’s original divine couple, as they stand before the Heavenly Pillar.
Their union is witnessed from above by Ame-no-Minaka-Nushi, the primordial creator god, symbolizing divine blessing over their partnership.
The couple faces each other in mutual devotion, reflecting the Lovers archetype as not just about romance, but about conscious choice, respect, and spiritual alignment.
Their story carries a deeper message: their first attempt at union failed because they didn't follow the right ritual order—when Izanami spoke first, it led to an imperfect birth.
Only after Izanagi initiated the ceremony, in alignment with divine order, did their union lead to the creation of gods and the land of Japan.
This card invites reflection on love as both a personal and cosmic act—one that thrives on clear intention, mutual recognition, and harmony with higher principles.
It also gently acknowledges how our understanding of imperfection, love, and creation evolves with time.
Key 7 The Chariot - "Pacification of the Land"
Upright: Victory, patience, drive, dominance, competitive spirit, momentum
Reversed: Recklessness, carelessness, selfishness, failure, impatience
Amaterasu sent messengers to claim the land unified by Okuninushi for her descendants.
Takemikazuchi appears with thunder, sitting balanced on the tip of his sword planted in the sea.
Of the two deer that brought him, one faces forward urging advance, while the other turns away.
Confident in victory, Takemikazuchi confronts Kotoshironushi and Takeminakata with dignity.
My notes: This Chariot card features Takemikazuchi, the thunder and sword deity, in a moment of perfect stillness and strength.
He sits calmly on the tip of his sword as it pierces the sea—a powerful image of control, balance, and supernatural mastery.
This scene takes place during Amaterasu’s mission to unify the land, where Takemikazuchi is sent not to conquer with brute force, but to command through presence and poise.
Two deer accompany him—one white and one black—symbolizing duality.
The white (masculine) deer looks forward, ready to move, while the black (feminine) doe turns back, suggesting pause.
Together, they mirror the tension of a charioteer steering two horses, needing inner mastery to move forward with balance.
Above them, seven stars shine as signs of divine guidance, while the mitsudomoe symbol reflects the unity of heaven, earth, and humanity.
The sword piercing the water hints at harmony between elements—metal generating water in the Five Elements cycle—reminding us that true power lies in alignment, not aggression.
Through Takemikazuchi’s calm yet commanding presence, the card shows that real victory comes from mastering opposing forces and choosing movement with wisdom and purpose.
Key 8 Strength - "The Mighty Arm"
Upright: Power, reason, strong will, indomitability, courage, generosity, the subconscious mind
Reversed: Loss of self, dependence, cowardice, abuse of power
After moving the great rock at the Heavenly Cave, Tajikarao threw it with all his might. The rock is said to have flown from Takachiho to Mount Togakushi in Nō Province. Tajikarao never uses his strength for fighting, only to help others. During the descent of the heavenly grandson, he helped Ninigi along with Omoikane and Ame-no-Uzume.
My notes: This Strength card features Tajikarao, the deity of physical power guided by wisdom and restraint.
Best known for hurling the massive boulder that sealed Amaterasu’s cave—an act so mighty the stone was said to fly from Takachiho to Mount Togakushi—Tajikarao represents strength not as brute force, but as disciplined action used in service of others.
Unlike the traditional Tarot image of a woman taming a lion, this card presents divine masculine strength that is steady, mature, and purposeful.
Tajikarao only uses his immense power when it’s truly needed, such as during Amaterasu’s return or when supporting Ninigi’s descent from heaven.
His presence reminds us that real strength comes not from domination, but from knowing when to act, how to support others, and how to balance force with humility.
This card encourages facing challenges with grounded confidence and choosing to use your power for the greater good.
Key 9 The Hermit - "The Descent of the Heavenly Grandson"
Upright: Experience, advice, seeking, solitude, mysterious appearances, secrets, caution
Reversed: Closed-off, gloomy, unplanned, passive, inferiority complex, nervousness
Amaterasu sent her grandson Ninigi to rule the "Land of Reed Plains" accompanied by her close attendants including Omoikane, Tajikarao, and Ame-no-Uzume.
On the mountain stood a man wearing a red mask. When Ame-no-uzume inquired, he introduced himself as Sarutahiko and joined their journey as a guide to Takachiho.
He later married Ame-no-Uzume and built a shrine in Ise. He died by drowning after getting his hand caught in a clam while fishing.
My notes: A distinctive deity known for his unique appearance - wearing a red mask and tengu-like features with a long nose, Sarutahiko exemplifies the archetypal wise guide.
His role became legendary when he appeared on the mountain to direct Ninigi's divine delegation (which included Omoikane, Tajikarao, and Ame-no-Uzume) toward Takachiho during their descent to the Japanese archipelago.
His character is particularly emphasized by his choice of footwear - the single-toothed tengu geta sandals, which not only produced a distinctive "clack-clack" sound marking his presence but also symbolically elevated him above the earthly realm.
This detail reflects both practical wisdom (keeping ceremonial robes clean) and spiritual elevation, as such footwear was favored by those who had mastered their arts, from actors to martial artists.
The heart-shaped lantern he carries serves as both literal and metaphorical illumination, guiding others through darkness with wisdom and compassion.
Though his appearance might seem intimidating, his nature is that of a helpful guide who chose to assist the heavenly delegation and later married Ame-no-Uzume, establishing a shrine in Ise.
When this deity appears, it suggests a time of spiritual guidance or the need to either seek or provide wise direction.
Like Sarutahiko, true wisdom often comes with the humility to serve others, lighting the way while remaining grounded in practical knowledge and elevated understanding.
Key 10 Wheel of Fortune - "Changes of the Day"
Upright: Turning point, chance, change, arrival of fortune, destiny, daily rhythm, natural balance, cycles
Reversed: Rapid descent, misconnection, postponement, missed opportunity, misfortune
The sun rises bringing morning, then sets as the moon rises bringing night. This daily cycle is given equally to all things. The sun (Amaterasu) rises in the east and sets in the west, followed by the moon (Tsukuyomi) rising in the east.
My notes: This Sun card beautifully captures the eternal rhythm between Amaterasu, the sun, and Tsukuyomi, the full moon.
As Amaterasu rises in the east bringing morning light, she travels westward until setting, making way for Tsukuyomi's ascent to illuminate the night.
This perpetual cycle represents the most fundamental rhythm of existence, granted equally to all living things.
The card speaks to the predictable yet powerful nature of daily changes - how energy, opportunities, and circumstances rise and fall within each 24-hour period.
It particularly resonates with those who experience energy renewal on a daily basis, often associated with masculine energy patterns, though this isn't exclusive.
Key 10 Wheel of Fortune - "Cycle of the Moon"
Upright: Turning point, chance, change, arrival of fortune, destiny, gradual transformation, duality, lunar phases
Reversed: Rapid descent, misconnection, postponement, missed opportunity, misfortune
The moon changes its shape daily, affecting conditions and states. From full moon to half moon, crescent, new moon, and back again through crescent and half moon to full moon.
My notes: This version features both aspects of Tsukuyomi - masculine during the new moon phase and feminine during the full moon - illustrating the complete lunar cycle.
The card traces the moon's journey from full to half to crescent to new, and back again, representing more gradual, subtle transformations.
This interpretation particularly resonates with feminine energy patterns and monthly cycles, reflecting how conditions and states change over longer periods.
The dual representation of Tsukuyomi (masculine & feminine) emphasizes how the same entity can manifest differently throughout its cycle.
Both versions fundamentally teach that change is the only constant - what rises must set, what waxes must wane.
The choice between them often comes down to personal resonance with either daily or monthly cycles of transformation.
“Decoding the Japanese Myth Tarot Deck” Project
Minor Arcana - The Suit of Pentacles (The Tale of Okuninushi)
Minor Arcana - The Suit of Cups (The Tale of Konohanasakuya)
Minor Arcana - The Suit of Swords (The Tale of Yamato Takeru)
© 2025 Rani Hariga. Decoding Japanese Myth Tarot is an independent translation and interpretation project based on The Japanese Myth Tarot by Yamamoto Naoki.
This work is unofficial and unaffiliated with the original creator.
Text may be shared with proper credit. All rights reserved.