Stories
Shintoism believes that Japan was the first land to be created on earth. The start of the universe was created from the pre-existing chaos of the number of kami that arised voluntary. A brother and sister was born. Izanagi, the brother, and Izanami, the sister, thrust a jeweled spear into the ocean, where land formed in the spot, forming the central island of Japan. Izanagi and Izanami had their first child, Hiruko. He was born deformed and then abandoned by his parents. They later had more children which represented other islands of Japan and also other kami.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/shinto/texts/stories_1.shtml
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/shinto/texts/stories_1.shtml