Background: Overview Mythology Yōkai & Bakemono Folklore in Art Content: Mukashibanashi Densetsu Kaidan Kotowaza   Further Reading Resources

Nihon shinwagaku, the Mythology of Japan Shinwagaku 神話学 is the Japanese word for mythology. The myths (shinwa) of Japan largely come from two sources: The Kojiki 古事記, or "Record of Ancient Matters" and the Nihon Shoki 日本書紀, or "Chronicles of Japan". A third mythical text exists, an epic poem with myths quite different from most of what is found in the other two works; this is called Hotsuma Tsutae 秀真伝, or "Excellent True Legends". Of the three, the Kojiki is the primary work of Japanese mythology. Like the Nihon Shoki, a more elaborate and probably more historically accurate document, it was composed for political reasons; namely, to establish the Imperial line as descendents of Amaterasu, the sun goddess. The first parts of both the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki are concerned with the creation of the world, the deeds of the kami 神 (gods) who established the natural order, and the adventures of their descendents. The second part of the Kojiki deals with Emperor Jimmu, the first emperor of Japan, and his conquest of the island kingdom. Both the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki tell of Jimmu and his descendents, and chronicle the line of descent from Amaterasu to the current emperors of its day. The accuracy of much of the Kojiki has been debated, but the Nihon Shoki, while not without its obvious historical inaccuracies, has been quite useful to historians. The third document, the Hotsuma Tsutae, differs quite substantially from the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki. It gives an alternate telling of the creation and mythic history of Japan, the most obvious difference being the changing of Amaterasu from a female kami to a male. However, most of its major episodes run parallel with those of the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, and it is very interesting to read especially if one is already familiar with the latter two sources. For the sake of completeness, so that the first time reader will have at least a sketchy background, I am including a few of the most important stories from Japanese mythology. The three texts discussed above are available online if one is interested, and I have provided links in the Further Reading page. As said elsewhere on this site, mythology is not a primary focus of Mukashibanashi Library. These tales have all been shortened from the original translation (that of Basil Hall Chaimberlain; which is reccomended for the serious enthusiast because of its thoroghness) for the sake of readability.   A sampling of Japanese myths: Izanagi and Izanami The Journey to Yomi Amaterasu and Susano-o Susano-o and the Orochi Ho-ori and Hoderi