Kojiki, the oldest written text in Japan

The Kojiki, the most ancient written text in Japan that has reached us, dates back to 712. Those “Records of Ancient Matters” are a collection of myths about the origins of the archipelago islands and kami (the gods). Along with the Nihon Shoki (720), the Kojiki has inspired most of Shinto beliefs and rites. Started by the tale-teller Hieda no Are who had been asked by Emperor Temmu to collect the traditions and genealogy of the time, the Kojiki was completed by Ô no Yasumaro to whom Empress Genmei had ordered to write all of the stories collected so far. 

The first volume, Kamitsumaki, tells about the myths about creator deities, and the birth of other kami and their adventures. Among them, the most famous story is Amaterasu, the goddess of the sun, sending her grandson Ninigi onto Earth to fund the imperial lineage. The second part, Nakatsumaki, is the history of the first Emperors, from the first one, Iwarehiko (or Jimmu, his posthumous name) who defended his birthland and conquered Japan, to the 15th. Finally, the third volume, Shimotsumaki, keeps on with the following Emperors, from the 16th to the 33rd, with far less godly interventions than in the first two.

The songs and poems composing the Kojiki are written in Chinese characters in a dialect used in the region of Yamato, and tell folk legends from the 4th to 6th centuries. This work is of great value to understand Shinto thinking but also to historians. Though they may not be wholly reliable historically speaking, some episodes from the Kojiki are still supposed to be based on actual facts.

.ekotumi. is a singer, composer, and story-teller who performed for you her own interpretation of the Kojiki at Japan Expo. Singing pop songs, she revisits this ancient text et brings its characters back to life. Her enchanting shows have gathered many of you every time and if you wish to watch them again, have a look at JapanExpoTV, our official channel, at the playlist dedicated to the Sakura stage programming.