Kojiki: The Ancient Book of Japanese Myths

Meet the Kojiki, Japan's oldest surviving book, and its tales of Amaterasu, Izanagi and Izanami, with tips for visiting shrines like Izumo Taisha.

Published October 17, 2026 at 9:58 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: The Kojiki, or Records of Ancient Matters, is presented as completed in the year 712 and is usually regarded as the oldest surviving literary work in Japan. It tells of the gods Izanagi and Izanami, the sun goddess Amaterasu and the first emperor Jimmu.

Every country has a book that tells where its stories begin, and for Japan that book is the Kojiki, the "Records of Ancient Matters." It is usually regarded as the oldest surviving literary work in the country, and it gathers tales of gods, islands, heroes and the first emperor into a single colorful tapestry. Autumn is a particularly fitting time to read about it, because in the Izumo region of Shimane Prefecture October is known as the month when the gods gather. This guide explains how the Kojiki came to be, what it contains, how it differs from a sister chronicle, and how travelers can follow its stories to real places.

How the Kojiki Was Created

According to the preface of the book, a scholar-official named O no Yasumaro wrote down the text at the request of Empress Genmei, and presented it in the year 712. The material came from a court attendant called Hieda no Are, who was known for a remarkable memory. Under an earlier ruler, Emperor Tenmu, Are had learned imperial genealogies and oral traditions by heart, and Yasumaro recorded what he recited.

The writing itself was a clever puzzle. Japan did not yet have its own script, so the author used Classical Chinese characters, but he also wrote the old Japanese songs phonetically so their sounds would not be lost. The result is a text with a very distinctive flavor that preserves the voices of an earlier age. Scholars still enjoy studying it for the glimpse it gives of early Japanese language.

The book is divided into three volumes. The first, called Kamitsumaki, covers the age of the gods and includes the preface. The second, Nakatsumaki, runs from the legendary first emperor Jimmu to Emperor Ojin, and the third, Shimotsumaki, continues through the emperors from the sixteenth to the thirty-third. Together they weave myth gradually into court history.

Gods, Islands and the Sun

The opening chapters describe how heaven and earth took shape and how the divine pair Izanagi and Izanami created the islands of Japan and a great number of kami, the spirits or gods of Shinto. After a purification ritual, Izanagi gives birth to three important deities: Amaterasu, the sun goddess, Tsukuyomi, associated with the moon, and Susanoo, the storm god. This is the root of the belief that Japan's imperial line descends from the sun goddess.

One of the most beloved episodes involves Amaterasu and her brother Susanoo. After his wild behavior upsets her, Amaterasu withdraws into a cave, and the world is left without sunlight. The other gods gather to coax her out with a joyful celebration, and the light returns. It is a story that has inspired countless paintings, kagura dances and festivals, and it still feels cheerful rather than frightening because the solution is laughter and community.

Susanoo is later sent to Izumo, where he overcomes the great eight-headed serpent Yamata no Orochi. Afterward the story turns to Okuninushi, a kind ruler who governs the land. Eventually the land is passed to the descendants of Amaterasu, and Okuninushi receives a grand shrine as part of the agreement. That tale is the foundation of one of the most important shrines in the country.

Kojiki and Nihon Shoki

The Kojiki has a famous companion: the Nihon Shoki, completed in 720 under the supervision of Prince Toneri, with help from O no Yasumaro. It has thirty volumes and is written entirely in Classical Chinese, in the style of Chinese dynastic histories. The two books share many of the same myths and are often discussed together as the Kiki stories.

The differences are interesting. The Nihon Shoki is more elaborate and detailed, and it was meant to present Japan's history in a form that outsiders could appreciate. The Kojiki feels more inward-looking, focusing on the ruling family and prominent clans, with a storyteller's rhythm. During the Heian period the Nihon Shoki was studied more widely, so the Kojiki spent some time in relative quiet.

That changed in the eighteenth century, when the scholar Motoori Norinaga gave the Kojiki new life. He believed it was more trustworthy than the Nihon Shoki and spent decades on a forty-four-volume commentary, the Kojiki-den, finished in 1798. Thanks to his work, the Kojiki became central to the study of Japan's native traditions. Today readers can find modern translations in many languages, which makes the stories accessible to everyone.

Following the Myths to Izumo Taisha

The best-known place to connect with the Kojiki is Izumo Taisha in Izumo, Shimane Prefecture. The shrine honors Okuninushi, known as the Great Lord of the Land, who is associated with nation-building and en-musubi, the tying of good bonds between people. Although he is often linked with romance and marriage, the shrine explains that his protection also covers relationships at home, at work and in the community. The shrine appears in the Kojiki, the Nihon Shoki and an early regional record, and its origin is tied to the land-ceding myth.

Many people regard Izumo Taisha as one of Japan's oldest shrines, though no record gives its founding date. The main hall in its current form dates to a renovation completed in 1744. The Kagura-den hall holds Japan's largest sacred straw rope, which is around 13.5 meters long and weighs roughly five tons. Visitors often stand under it for photographs and are impressed by its scale.

October holds a special place here. People in the Izumo area call this month kamiarizuki, "the month with gods," because the gods are believed to gather at the shrine, while the rest of Japan calls the same month Kannazuki. At Izumo Taisha, visitors clap four times at the offering box rather than the usual two, so it helps to watch the people around you. If you plan a visit, check the shrine's official site for current information.

Tips for Reading and Exploring

If you would like to read the Kojiki, a modern translation with notes is the friendliest way in. Start with the first volume, which holds the best-known myths, and keep a simple family chart of the main gods handy, because the cast is large. Reading a few pages before you travel makes shrine names and statues suddenly feel familiar.

Many shrines across Japan connect to these stories, and you do not have to go far to find them. Sun goddess shrines, storm god shrines and small neighborhood shrines often have signboards explaining which myth they preserve. Museums such as national and regional museums sometimes display ancient artifacts and illustrated scrolls that bring the era to life. Look for shrine festivals with kagura, a sacred dance, because many of them dramatize episodes from the book.

It also helps to treat the stories as living culture rather than a closed history lesson. Many families still visit shrines for seasonal events, and the myths give those customs their background. A relaxed, curious attitude is the best way to enjoy it all.

Quick Takeaways

The Kojiki is a book of ancient records presented in 712, written by O no Yasumaro from the memorized traditions of Hieda no Are. It tells of Izanagi and Izanami, Amaterasu and Susanoo, Okuninushi in Izumo, and the first emperor Jimmu, and it sits beside the Nihon Shoki as one of the two great early chronicles. Izumo Taisha is a wonderful destination for anyone who wants to step into those stories.

Whether you read a translation at home or visit a shrine, the Kojiki rewards curiosity. Its stories explain why Japanese festivals, shrines and even seasonal names feel the way they do. Take a few of those tales with you on your next trip, and the landscape will feel richer and more alive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who wrote the Kojiki?

According to its preface, O no Yasumaro wrote it at the request of Empress Genmei. He recorded the genealogies and oral traditions recited by a court attendant named Hieda no Are, who had a remarkable memory.

What is the difference between the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki?

The Nihon Shoki, completed in 720, is longer, more detailed and written in Classical Chinese in the style of Chinese histories. The Kojiki is more inward-looking, focused on the ruling family and clans, and mixes Chinese with phonetic Japanese.

Where can I connect with the Kojiki stories in Japan?

Izumo Taisha in Shimane Prefecture is a classic choice, since the shrine is tied to the myth of the god Okuninushi ceding the land. In October, people in the Izumo area call the month kamiarizuki, the month with gods.

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