This article aims to appreciate Japanese mythology from the viewpoint of psychological development. Although psychological development is thought to build up in the shape of “I,” from a certain standpoint, it is also to survive various separations and partings. In this article, I will identify the struggling aspect and process of psychological development in the way of life of the gods and goddesses of Japanese mythology. The way of life of these deities shows us how they become one “I” through continuous separations and partings, which has great implications for psychological development and psychotherapy. Thus, I aim to clarify psychological development from the viewpoint of "kanashimi" kanashimi"（かなしみ , sadness). "Kanashimi" is an emotionally rich word that extends to "itooshimi" いとおしみ , cherishing) and "itsukushimi" いつくしみ , compassion), and is suitabl e for expressing
psychological development as a series of separations and partings. In this article, which is the first of three articles in total, I will discuss the methodology of bridging psychological development or psychotherapy and Japanese mythology , and then, I will take up the first appearance of heaven and earth and the era of Izanagi and Izanami. The world of slumber without “I,” from which “I” rises to the surface, and “I” eventually faces the decisive separation of “death,” through which the sh ape of "I" is
further clarified.
04_日本神話と心の発達(1) ―心理臨床と神話の架橋， ならびに天地初発と イザナギ・イザナミ―
