Hajimete no Kojiki: Nihon no shinwa

The Kojiki, or “Records of Ancient Matters,” was compiled in the year 712 by Ō no Yasumaro, transcribing the myths and history recited by Hieda no Are, whose memory was prodigious. The original Kojiki was prepared by imperial order, and the second and third of its three volumes are largely about the imperial line. Its first volume, however, is filled with Japanese mythology. Hajimete no Kojiki retells some of the most interesting stories from that first volume in clearer, child-friendly language.

    A number of well-known stories are included: the creation of the world by the god Izanaki and goddess Izanami; Izanaki’s pursuit of the deceased Izanami into Yomi, the land of the dead; the sun goddess Amaterasu sealing herself in the Cave of Heaven and plunging the world into darkness; the turbulent deity Susano’o slaying the vast Yamata no Orochi, a serpent with eight heads and red eyes that was devouring local maidens; Ōnamuji rescuing a white rabbit that was bullied by his older brothers; Ōnamuji becoming Ōkuninushi and created the country; and the goddess Konohanasakuya Hime setting fire to her palace and giving birth amid the flames after her husband Ninigi questioned her fidelity. All of the tales are told with a dynamic flair.

    The authors consulted many texts and spent 10 years bringing the book to publication. The powerful illustrations, too, ably convey the energy of ancient Japanese myth. (SY)