noun
Yomi; land of the dead; underworld
Archaic mythological term for the realm of the dead in Japanese mythology, equivalent to Yomi (黄泉). Used in classical texts and Shinto contexts.
古事記には、イザナギが黄泉国から逃げ帰る話が記されている。
The Kojiki records the story of Izanagi fleeing back from the land of the dead.
黄泉国は、死者の住む暗い地下の世界とされる。
Yomi is considered a dark underground world where the dead dwell.
冥界 is a general term for the underworld or Hades, used in both Buddhist and secular contexts, while 黄泉国 is specifically the Shinto mythological realm.
Compound of 黄泉 (yomo, ancient form of yomi 'underworld') + つ (archaic possessive particle) + 国 (kuni 'country'). The exact origin of yomo/yomi is uncertain, but it is a native Japanese word predating Chinese influence.