The Kojiki - Izanagi, Izanami, and the Birth of Japan - Page 3
© Wayne Kreger
From this story we can learn about the time and place it was created. The Kojiki was a project initiated by the Japanese Emperor Temmu in a time when that empire was striving to emulate its powerful neighbour China. Chinese influence was felt in religious and philosophical circles, and the Chinese were known for their detailed chronicles of their civilization. Perhaps the role of the Kojiki was to establish a similar history in Japan. By having the Celestial deities form Japan - not only building the islands, but also giving birth to them - indicates that Japan is primary among the world's nations. We can forgive the writers for this bold assumption - it may have been a necessary boast while neighbouring a influential cultural powerhouse which name means "Middle Kingdom". The Kojiki serves a role we will often find in mythology - its purpose is to give history to those who hold it authoritative.
The copyright of the article The Kojiki - Izanagi, Izanami, and the Birth of Japan - Page 3 in Mythology is owned by Wayne Kreger. Permission to republish The Kojiki - Izanagi, Izanami, and the Birth of Japan - Page 3 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
