Kojiki
The "Record of Ancient Matters", Japan's oldest surviving book and the founding text of Shinto myth.
Core Characteristics
- Completed in 712 AD at Empress Genmei's command, compiled by Ō no Yasumaro from court reciters' memory.
- Runs from the five primordial deities through Izanagi and Izanami to the imperial line of Jimmu.
- Its genealogies grounded the emperors' descent from Amaterasu, the sun goddess.
Related Concepts & Sources
Shinto, Nihon Shoki, Divine Lineage