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SPEAKER 1
The Kojiki is Japan's oldest surviving book. Compiled in 712, it contains myths of the kami and legendary accounts of the emperors. Together with the shoki, completed in 720, it long served as a foundation for legitimizing the imperial family's lineage. But what exactly is the Kojiki? In this series,
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we explore the background of its creation and how it continues to shape modern Japan. The compilation of the Kojiki was a national project ordered by Emperor Tenmu. In March of 681, he summoned only his most trusted courtiers and voiced his concerns. Stories handed down from the past were riddled with contradictions,
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and each powerful clan had its own version of history. Without a unified account, the country could not hold together. So why was Japan in such disorder at the time? It was because, in the century leading up to Tenmu's reign, Japanese society underwent massive change. At the heart of that transformation was the arrival of a new religion. Buddhism.

Kojiki. Ep.1

The Turmoil Behind the Birth of Japan’s Oldest Chronicle

This video explores Kojiki (古事記), a text often considered difficult to understand—even for native Japanese speakers.

Compiled in 712, Kojiki is the oldest surviving Japanese chronicle and contains a rich collection of ancient myths and legends that have long served to legitimize imperial authority.

Despite its importance, its archaic language and symbolic narratives make it especially challenging for non-Japanese audiences.

Yet, Kojiki is essential to understanding Japanese history and the roots of the national psyche.

Through this new visual series, we aim to make Kojiki more accessible and meaningful by guiding viewers through its historical and spiritual background.

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and each powerful clan had its own version of history. Without a unified account, the country could not hold together. So why was Japan in such disorder at the time? It was because, in the century leading up to Tenmu's reign, Japanese society underwent massive change. At the heart of that transformation was the arrival of a new religion. Buddhism.