What house gods, river gods, sea gods? There were thirty-five gods in all.
Finally, while giving birth to the Fire God, Izanami was severely burned and eventually died.
Izanagi was overcome with grief. He lay before his wife's corpse, weeping through the night.
"My beloved wife, how could you leave me? Losing you for a useless son was simply not worth it!"
As Izanagi wept, his tears fell and turned into the goddess Laze, who wept alongside him.
At last, after burying his wife beneath Mount Hiba, on the border between Izumo and Hoki, he drew the Totsuka Blade from his waist and looked toward his son, the Fire God.
"My son, do not blame me. You were able to burn my wife to death; your power is far too terrifying, too evil! Killing you is not only to avenge your mother, but also to protect this world. If I don't kill you, sooner or later, perhaps one day you'll kill me and destroy this world! For this world, for your mother, for your father—my son, forgive me!"
Izanagi shook his head, thinking with an expression of profound sorrow.
"My son, your father has come to kill you!"
Izanagi raised the Totsuka Blade in his hand and cut down the infant Fire God, who was crying out in terror.
He cut off the Fire God's head. At last, the Fire God's body began to change, transforming into eight new gods.
Paying no heed to the eight gods who had fallen to their knees, Izanagi left in sorrow.
The eight gods left behind looked at one another. For a long time, none dared move, afraid that Izanagi, still in the throes of anger, would cut them down too.
Just then, a figure slowly emerged from the shadows.
"My younger brother, do