大和の道
A journey through the origins of Japanese civilization
Ancient rivers flow
Through valleys of forgotten kings —
The quest begins here.
In the beginning, the deities Izanagi and Izanami stood upon the Floating Bridge of Heaven and stirred the ocean with the Jeweled Spear. From the drops that fell, the islands of Japan were born — a creation story etched into the very soul of Yamato civilization.
The Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, Japan's oldest chronicles, preserve these sacred narratives using clean illustrations and traditional poetry. Through these profile panels, we trace the lineage of gods to emperors — an Interactive encyclopedia bridging the celestial and the terrestrial, where each viewer may zoom into date markers of ancient time.
Ancestor of the Imperial line, Amaterasu once retreated into the Ama-no-Iwato cave, plunging the world into darkness. The other gods lured her out with laughter and dance, restoring light to the realm.
The tempestuous storm god and slayer of the eight-headed serpent Yamata no Orochi. Within the serpent's tail, he discovered the legendary sword Kusanagi no Tsurugi.
Ruler of the night, born from Izanagi's right eye during the purification rites. His separation from Amaterasu explains the eternal division of day and night.
Summer indigo
The court assembles in silk —
History unfolds.
The Yamato period spans the foundation of what would become the world's oldest continuous monarchy. From the Kofun burial mounds that dot the Kinai plain to the grand temples of Nara, each era left indelible marks upon the archipelago.
The Yamato clan establishes dominance over the Japanese archipelago, unifying regional powers under a single imperial lineage traced to the sun goddess Amaterasu.
Buddhism is introduced to Japan through Korean diplomatic missions from the Kingdom of Baekje, profoundly transforming Japanese art, architecture, and spiritual life.
Prince Shotoku establishes the first constitution of Japan, blending Confucian ethics with Buddhist philosophy to create a framework for governance.
Nara becomes the first permanent capital of Japan, modeled on the Chinese Tang dynasty capital of Chang'an, inaugurating an era of cultural flourishing.
Emperor Kanmu moves the capital to Heian-kyo (Kyoto), beginning the Heian period — an age of refined court culture, literature, and the birth of the Japanese aesthetic sensibility.
Autumn ocher leaves
The shrine bell echoes through mist —
Heritage endures.
From the grand shrines of Ise to the ancient burial mounds of Asuka, Yamato heritage is inscribed in the landscape itself. Each torii gate, each stone lantern, each garden path carries centuries of meaning — a living encyclopedia of Japanese civilization.
The three Imperial Regalia — mirror, sword, and jewel — embody the virtues of wisdom, valor, and benevolence that have defined Japanese imperial tradition since the age of myths.
The sacred mirror, one of the three Imperial Regalia of Japan. Symbol of wisdom and truth, enshrined at Ise Grand Shrine. It was used to lure Amaterasu from her cave, reflecting her own divine radiance.
The mirror represents the virtue of wisdom (知). Its placement at Ise reflects the belief that the emperor's authority derives from divine truth and self-knowledge.
The grass-cutting sword, discovered within the tail of the eight-headed serpent Yamata no Orochi by Susanoo. Enshrined at Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya.
The sword represents the virtue of valor (勇). Its legendary history connects the storm god's triumph over chaos to the emperor's duty to protect the realm.
The curved jewel of benevolence, symbol of the emperor's virtue and compassion. Kept within the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
The jewel represents the virtue of benevolence (仁). Its comma-shaped form echoes the magatama beads found in Kofun-period tombs throughout the Yamato heartland.
Winter silence falls
Seasonal poetry in haiku form —
All quests find their end.