AMETSUCHI

Heaven and earth. This phrase drawn from Chinese cosmology refers to the mythical separation of light and pure elements (heaven, ame) from heavy and turbid elements (earth, tsuchi) at the time of creation. According to the Japanese myths theama-tsu-kami, kami of heaven, descended to pacify the world populated by kuni-tsu-kami or deities of the land, so this world represents the integration of heavenly and earthly elements.