The Kojiki

Basil Hall Chamberlain (1850-1935) was a professor of Japanese at Tokyo Imperial University. This is his translation of the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters) which was compiled in AD 712 by Ō no Yasumaro at the request of Empress Genmei. One of the two primary sources of the Japanese national religion of Shinto The Kojiki is a collection of myths early legends songs genealogies oral traditions and semi-historical accounts. Starting with a creation story the narrative shifts from mythology to historical legends and concludes with a chronology of the early Imperial line. It includes supernatural episodes and tales of romance passion and murder.