The Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki

Like other religions around the world, Shinto has several collections of text that are considered sacred to its followers. For Shinto, these texts are titled the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki. These collections are meant to teach its followers about the mythology and history of Shinto's home country, Japan.

The Kojiki is also known as the Record of Ancient Matters. Finished around 712 C.E., it mainly covers the mythology that lies behind the origin of the four main islands of Japan, along with the origin of Kami. The collection contains songs and poems, and is split into three parts: the Kamitsumaki, the Nakatsumaki, and the Shimotsumaki. The Kamitsumaki includes the preface to the Kojiki, and focuses on the deities of creation and the birth of various other deities within the culture, including outlining the myths regarding the creation of Japan, such as the tale of Izanagi and Izanami (Pictured on the right). The Nakatsumaki focuses on the stories of the first fifteen emperors of Japan, from Emperor Jimmu, the first emperor, to Emperor Ojin. The Shimotsumaki picks up from the Nakatsumaki, and recalls the 16th to 33rd emperors, but has a lack of interaction with the deities shown in the first two volumes. To read over a version of the Kojiki, click here.

The Nihon Shoki, or Nihogi, is referred to as the Chronicles of Japan. Finished around 720 C.E., it is known as the most accurate recording of ancient Japanese history, making it respected by both historians and archaeologists alike. Like the Kojiki, it begins with the creation myth of Japan, but goes onto explain the history of Japan, including episodes from mythological eras and diplomatic contracts with other countries. Unlike the Kojiki, the Nohogi is split into chapters, the first few dedicated to the creation myth and the rest going into in depth analysis of the emperors and their times of rule. To read over a version of the Nihon Shoki, click here.