When you hear the word “god” or “deity”, what comes to mind?
- Jesus Christ
- churches
- shrines
- mythological figures from Greek and Roman tales
For many in Japan, deities might not seem familiar,
often associated strongly with religion.
However, in reality, deities are deeply woven into Japan’s cultural fabric.
So this article is about,
- What is the existence of Deities in Japan?
- What is the Kojiki（古事記）, which contains Japanese mythology?
I will talk about the following.
If you would like to read the Japanese version of the article, please go here.
What are Japanese Deities?
Japan, influenced greatly by its climate, has coexisted with various natural phenomena such as typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.
The distinct seasons further emphasize the rhythms of nature.
Four Seasons in Japan
Japan has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
- Spring (March to May): Cherry blossoms bloom, symbolizing new beginnings.
- Summer (June to August): It’s hot and humid, with festivals and fireworks.
- Autumn (September to November): Leaves turn red and gold, showcasing beautiful scenery.
- Winter (December to February): It’s cold, with snow in many regions, perfect for skiing.
Each season brings unique traditions and natural beauty, making Japan’s seasonal changes special.
Ancient people, particularly with the advent of rice cultivation, lived alongside and utilized the forces of nature.
That is why the Japanese are so grateful for the bounty of nature,
and why they have experienced firsthand the fear of nature, which destroys everything and cannot be resisted,
From these experiences, the concept emerged that deities reside in everything,
termed as “yaoyorozu no kami（八百万の神）“.
The word「八百万（happyakuman）」also represents the number “eight million” as a Japanese Kanji character.
However, this “yaoyorozu「八百万（やおよろず）」” is not a number,
but means “extremely numerous”.
These deities encompass entities like the deity of fire, mountains, water, sun, wind, and even rice fields.
The Japanese deities are actually the ones who are watching over us from nearby.
What is the Kojiki『古事記こじき』?
The stories where deities appear are known as myths.
To name a few famous myths…
- Greek mythology
- Roman mythology
- Norse mythology
- Egyptian mythology
- Indian mythology
There are myths all over the world.
Japan also has its own rich mythological tradition.
Myths are not only those that have been written down.
There are many that are not preserved in writing, but are passed on orally, that is, by word of mouth.
The “Kojiki（古事記）” is the first written compilation of Japanese myths that were handed down throughout Japan at a time when myths had not yet been preserved in written form.
Compilation of the Kojiki
About 1,300 years ago, Emperor Temmu（天武天皇）, the emperor at that time, ordered Hieda-no-Are（稗田阿礼）who was famous for his tremendous memory, to compile myths from all over Japan.
（稗田阿礼）
The 40th Emperor of Japan
Reign: 673-686 A.D.
Later, Emperor Genmei（元明天皇） ordered O-no-Yasumaro（太安万侶） to take over from Hieda-no-Are（稗田阿礼）,
and the “Kojiki（古事記）” was completed in 712 AD (* there are various theories).
（太安万侶）
The 43rd Emperor of Japan
Reign: 707-715 A.D.
The Kojiki consists of three volumes: the upper, middle, and lower volumes.
Contents of the Kojiki
The Kojiki chronicles Japan’s origins and the history of the imperial family. While its accuracy is debated, it offers invaluable insights into Japan’s foundational history.
The contents of the Kojiki include a summary of the origins of Japan and the history of the Emperors.
It is a book, so it is written in letters, but what are the letters used?
The Japanese language,“Yamato kotoba（大和言葉）”, is written down using “Kanji（漢字）”, which are Chinese characters.
It was the emperor who ordered the compilation of the Kojiki, and it is a summary of the emperor’s family.
This means that the purpose of the book was undoubtedly to show the power of the Emperor’s family to Japanese society, saying that the Emperor’s family is descended from the deities.
Therefore, it is honestly difficult to judge how accurate the contents of the “Kojiki” are.
However, there is no doubt that it is a very interesting story in understanding how the country of Japan came to be and the roots of today’s Japan.
Summary
We’ve explored what deities mean in Japan and introduced the Kojiki, the seminal text of Japanese mythology.
- What are the deities in Japan?
- What is the “Kojiki,” the book in which Japanese mythology is written?
I would be very happy if some of you thought “Japanese mythology is interesting!”.
I will be writing more and more about Japanese mythology in the future.
Please look forward to it!
I hope this article has been of some help to you!
If you’ve found it insightful or enjoyable, please share it with your friends and family!
《Recommended books》
※This article contains affiliate links.
If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a commission.
The price remains the same for you, but your support helps keep this blog running.
Thank you for your understanding.
Although the book is in Japanese,
it has many lovely illustrations and the explanations are very easy to understand.
It explains the story of “Kojiki” as well as each deities in detail!
This book explains Japanese culture, traditions, and philosophy in both English and Japanese.
It’s a two-in-one book that’s also great for language learning.
コメント