The first accessible English version of the Kojiki—Japan''s foundational text! The Kojiki is the classic of Japanese classics—a foundational text for Japanese history and literature and for the Shinto religion. This literary masterpiece has shaped Japanese thought and culture for a millennium and continues to be influential today. Its vivid storytelling style, tales of supernatural interventions in human affairs, and powerful depictions of human emotions continue to inspire countless works of poetry, drama and art. Central to the story are the primordial deities Izanagi and Izanami, their role in creating the Japanese islands, and the birth of divine beings who established Japan''s imperial bloodline. These elements form the spiritual basis for Shinto, Japan''s original religion. The divine origins of the imperial family reinforced their sacred status and right to rule the nation—a concept that has shaped Japan''s political structures for many centuries. In this new and vastly improved edition, the English text has been improved and Japanese characters and place names have been modernized. Latin versions of "racy" passages in the earlier editions have been rendered into English. Footnotes have been shortened and edited for their relevance to modern readers. The result is a truly accessible edition of the Kojiki—a book which remains a cornerstone of Japan''s national identity, offering a window to ancient beliefs and customs that continue to define the Japanese people today.
