What is the Kojiki (and its Difference from Nihongi)
What is the Kojiki? Shintoism considers Kojiki as its sacred text, together with Nihongi. But do you know how do they differ from one another?
What is the Kojiki?
Kojiki is also called “Records of Ancient Matters” and “An Account of Ancient Matters.” It is deemed a sacred text of the Shinto religion. (Read: Shintoism 101: What You Need to Know About this Eastern Faith)
Also known as ‘Furukotofumi,’ Kojiki is the oldest extant chronicle in Japan, dating from the early 8th century (711–712).
It is a collection of myths on the origin of the four home islands of Japan, and the kami. The Kojiki contains myths, legends, and historical accounts of the imperial court from the earliest days of its formation up to the rule of Empress Suiko (628).
Many of Shinto thought and practices are based on interpretations of the contents of the Kojiki. Some references state that Kojiki text was compiled from oral tradition, while others claim that it was composed by a certain Ō no Yasumaro at the request of Empress Gemmei.
The Kojiki contains historical records and myths which are written in a form of Chinese with a heavy mixture of Japanese elements. The various songs or poems in the text are written with Chinese characters that are only used to convey sounds.
The Kojiki is a noteworthy source for customs, ceremonies, divination, and magical practices of ancient Japan. “The religious and ethical values of the Kojiki were rediscovered and reevaluated by Moto-ori Norinaga (1730–1801), who wrote the complete “Annotation of the Kojiki” in 49 volumes. The Kojiki was first translated into English in 1882” (“Kojiki,” n.d.).
What is Nihongi?
Nihongi (‘Chronicles of Japan’), on the other hand,is the second oldest book of classical Japanese history. Also called Nihon shoki, this book is more elaborate and detailed than the Kojiki.
This book comprises 30 chapters. The first part is an important source for Shinto thought as it deals with several myths and legends of ancient Japan.
The Nihongi starts with the Japanese creation myth, explaining the origin of the world and the first seven generations of divine beings, and goes on with a number of myths, and continues its account through to events of the 8th century.
Scholars state that the later chapters are historically more accurate and contain records of several of the politically powerful clans as well as of the imperial family. The Nihongi focuses on the merits of the righteous rulers as well as the errors of the wicked rulers.
Manifesting the influence of Chinese civilization on Japan, the Nihongi was written in classical Chinese. (Read: Taoism vs Shintoism: Similarities and Uniqueness)
It was “finished in 720 under the editorial supervision of Prince Toneri and with the assistance of Ō no Yasumaro dedicated to Empress Genshō” (“Nihon Shoki,” n.d.).
Interestingly, the Nihongi was the first of six officially compiled chronicles that were continued to 887 by imperial command.
Collectively, the stories in Nihongi and the Kojiki are referred to as the ‘Kiki stories.’
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Copyright © by Jens Micah De Guzman
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