📖 "Chronicles of Japan" and "Nihon Shoki"

The "Kojiki" and "Nihon Shoki" narrate the ancient history of Japan, including myths, and are the oldest existing historical texts in Japan. Because they describe the origins of the Japanese nation, they are also regarded as the Japanese version of the Bible. This article introduces the summaries of the "Kojiki" and "Nihon Shoki," the differences between the two books, and the main plots of some of the most famous stories in the "Kojiki." By engaging with and understanding the contents of the "Kojiki" and "Nihon Shoki," visits to shrines and historical sites across Japan will become much more interesting.

The "Kojiki" is the oldest historical book that narrates Japanese mythology and ancient history. The "Nihon Shoki" is the oldest official history of Japan (an official historical book compiled by the state). Due to the many similarities between the "Kojiki" and the "Nihon Shoki," these two works are collectively referred to as "Kiki."