Kojiki: Fully Revised Edition: Records of Ancient Matters

The Kojiki is Japan's great classic of classics--the nation's oldest surviving book and the fundamental scripture of Shinto. Written by imperial edict in the eighth century and accepted as fact for centuries, it is the key to understanding Japan and the Japanese--their national character and institutions. The book stands as one of the greatest works in Japanese literature because it faithfully preserves the mythology, manners, and traditions of the ancient Japanese. It provides a vivid account of Japan's creation by the divine brother and sister, Izanami and Izanagi, the divine origins of the first emperor Jimmu, and histories of his successors. Epic material is complemented by vibrant song and poetry to create a moving panorama of the past.