Kojiki: Japan’s Oldest Surviving Chronicle

The Kojiki, or "Records of Ancient Matters," holds the prestigious title of being Japan's oldest surviving chronicle. Compiled in 712 AD, this amazing text offers a window into the myths, legends, and early history of Japan. Written by Ō no Yasumaro under the commission of Empress Genmei, the Kojiki is a treasure trove of narratives that shape the foundation of Japanese culture and religion. From the divine creation of the Japanese islands to the legendary tales of emperors, the Kojiki provides a fascinating glimpse into the spiritual and political origins of Japan. 

The Kojiki - Chronicling Ancient Japan

When it comes to a text as ancient as the Kojiki, it can be hard to know what is fact and what is fiction. According to the text’s preface, the Kojiki was commissioned by Empress Genmei in the early 8th century AD, a period when the Japanese court sought to consolidate its power and establish a unified national identity. If true, this would make the Kojiki the oldest extant literary work in Japan.

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Representation of Ō no Yasumaro. (Public Domain)

It was supposedly written between 711 and 712 AD by Ō no Yasumaro, a nobleman and scholar well-versed in both Chinese and Japanese traditions. This would help to explain why the text was written in a unique blend of Chinese characters and phonetic ancient Japanese. This mix of languages underscores the cultural influences that shaped early Japan, with Chinese characters used for their meanings and Japanese phonetics to capture the sounds of native words.

The empress commissioned the Kojiki’s creation for several reasons. Taken at face value, it was supposed to help preserve Japan’s ancient oral traditions and establish a coherent narrative of the imperial lineage. 

In reality, the Kojiki documented the divine origins of the Japanese islands and the imperial family in an effort to reinforce the authority and legitimacy of the ruling Yamato clan. As has happened in countless cultures across human history, the Kojiki was a crude tool meant to solidify the divine right of emperors to rule by intertwining mythology with the historical narrative to create a powerful national identity.

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Kan'ei Kojiki, 1644 (Kokugakuin University/CC BY-SA 4.0)

Structure and Key Myths

The Kojiki has a relatively simple structure. It consists of a preface and three books. Each book has its own focus, covering everything from creation myths and legendary tales to slightly dryer topics like genealogies of the emperors and nobility. Taken as a whole, this structure allows readers to journey from the birth of the world and gods to the establishment of the Japanese imperial line.

Preface:

The preface, written by Ō no Yasumaro, takes the form of an address to the Empress. It begins with a poem that acts as a summary of the work. Yasumaro then explains his sources, stating how Emperor Tenmu had originally commissioned Hieda no Are to memorize the included genealogies and how he had used these to create the Kojiki. The preface ends with a brief explanation of the Chinese characters he used and how the work is split across three volumes. 

Volume 1, The Kamitsumaki: Creation Myths and the Gods

Volume one of the Kojiki is the most interesting for mythology buffs. It covers the origins of the gods and the cosmos as well as the creation of the Earth. It begins with the primordial deities and describes the very first generation of gods.

Central to these creation myths is the story of Izanagi and Izanami, the gods responsible for creating the Japanese islands. Their story begins with them standing on the Floating Bridge of Heaven, stirring the sea with a jeweled spear. From the droplets that fell back into the ocean, the islands of Japan were born.

They are also said to have created various deities, including the sun goddess Amaterasu, the moon god Tsukuyomi, and the storm god Susanoo. Volume one sets the mythological foundation for Japan’s creation and its divine lineage while also laying out the origins of some of Shinto’s purification rituals.

Volume 2, the Nakatsumaki: Sun Goddess Amaterasu

Volume 2 is more concerned with the divine descent of the establishment of the imperial line. It focuses on the story of Ninigi, the grandson of Amaterasu, who descends from the heavens to rule.

This volume also includes in-depth genealogies of the deities and their familial relations to the mythical emperors. This serves to connect Japan’s divine origins to historical figures. Simply put, volume 2 is all about emphasizing the divine right to rule by bridging the mythical age with the early legendary emperors.

Japanese Sun goddess Amaterasu emerging from a cave. (Public Domain)

Volume 3, the Shimotsumakie: Emperor Jimmu and Genealogies

The third volume continues the job of laying out the genealogies of the early emperors and expands on historical events. It covers the lives and deeds of early emperors, including Emperor Jimmu, the first human emperor, and subsequent rulers. This volume provides a mix of myth and history, detailing political and social developments, battles, and alliances. This volume is meant to act as a historical record that links the mythological past to the then-contemporary imperial lineage, finishing the job of legitimizing the ruling family.

Historical, Cultural and Religious Significance

Japan is a country that takes its cultural heritage seriously, and the Kojiki holds immense cultural and religious significance in Japan. It serves as a cornerstone for the country’s Shinto beliefs and rituals, and, as the oldest chronicle of Japan, it provides a comprehensive record of the myths and legends that form the foundation of Japanese spirituality. 

The Kojiki is an integral part of Shinto, Japan’s indigenous religion. The text details the origins of spirits called kami and how they interact with the world. Central figures like Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess, and Susanoo, the storm god, are not only pivotal characters in the text but also key deities in Shinto worship. The rituals and practices described in the Kojiki, such as purification rites and offerings, continue to influence Shinto ceremonies today.

Reflection of Early Japanese Culture and Values

Outside of its use in Shinto, the information within the Kojiki provides an important glimpse into the values and societal norms of early Japan. Themes such as loyalty, bravery, and the importance of divine favor are prevalent throughout the text. For instance, the story of Emperor Jimmu's journey to establish his rule reflects the virtues of perseverance and divine guidance, which were highly esteemed in Japanese culture.

The text has also had a lasting impact on Japanese art, literature, and folklore. Its stories have inspired countless works of art, from classical paintings to modern manga and anime. Literary works, such as the Manyoshu, Japan's oldest anthology of poems, also draw on themes and characters from the Kojiki. Folktales passed down through generations often echo the myths recorded in the text, ensuring the Kojiki's stories remain a vital part of Japan's cultural heritage.

Before the Kojiki was compiled, many of the myths and legends were transmitted orally. By documenting these stories, the Kojiki preserved them for future generations, safeguarding Japan's rich oral traditions. This transition from oral to written tradition was crucial in maintaining the continuity of cultural and religious narratives.

Role in Legitimizing the Imperial System

Japan has the oldest continuous monarchy in the world. It traces its origins back to Emperor Jimmu, whose rule is traditionally dated back to 660 BC. The Kojiki played a crucial role in legitimizing this imperial system. It presented a coherent and divine genealogy of Japan's rulers that depicted Emperor Jimmu as a direct descendant of Amaterasu. It’s like putting the king of England in the bible.

Influence on Subsequent Chronicles

The Kojiki set a precedent for subsequent historical chronicles, such as the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan), which was completed in 720 AD. The Nihon Shoki further elaborated on the myths and histories recorded in the Kojiki, providing a more detailed and chronological account of Japan's early history. Both texts were instrumental in shaping the historical and cultural identity of Japan, reinforcing the divine and historical legitimacy of the imperial family.

Conclusion

The Kojiki isn’t just a historical document. It’s a vital chronicle of ancient Japanese history that documents everything from the creation myths and legends of gods like Amaterasu to the divine lineage of emperors. Furthermore, it serves as a foundation for Shinto beliefs that reflects early Japanese values, and has profoundly influenced art, literature, and national identity.

Historically, it legitimized the divine right of the Yamato rulers and Japan’s monarchy. It is a crucial link to Japan’s past and continues to influence countless aspects of modern Japanese society. Few texts ever written can claim to have been half as influential or long-lived.

Top image: Kobayashi Eitaku, Izanagi and Izanami, c. 1885       Source: Public Domain

By Robbie Mitchell