World Literature Mr. Brennan Nihongi World Literature Mr. Brennan

AGENDA Mini-Lecture: Shinto & Ancient Japanese Context SWBAT gain a deeper understanding of Ancient Japanese culture by analyzing the form and function of the Ancient Japan’s Nihongi. Learning Objective Mini-Lecture: Shinto & Ancient Japanese Context Class Reading: The Nihon Shoki Finish Reading Nihongi Homework Reminders

Ancient Japan

Shinto 神道 The word Shinto was adopted from the written Chinese shén (spirit or dieties) and dào (philosophical path or study) Shinto is the native spirituality of Japan, consisting of a set of practices in order to establish a connection between present day Japan and its ancient past. Shinto practices were first recorded in the written historical records of the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki in the 8th century. However, these Japanese writings should NOT be compared to texts like the Bible, as they do not refer to a unified "Shinto religion,” rather to disorganized folklore, history, and mythology.

Nihongi ( 720AD ) The Nihongi, or the “Japanese Chronicles,” is the second oldest book of classical Japanese history. It is more elaborate and detailed than the Kojiki ( 711 ), and provides the most complete historical record of ancient Japan.

Nihongi ( 720AD ) Emperor Tenmu (r. 673–686) declared that the histories of the various clans were accumulating errors and ordered the commencement of an official project to consolidate and correct the true history of Japan. In fact, this was a project not to correct errors but to rewrite history. Tenmu had come to power in after a bloody civil war. The newly produced histories would be designed to strengthen the legitimacy of Tenmu’s rule. While religious matters were likely included from the beginning—they were unavoidable, since every major clan traced its lineage back to a deity—this was a very political project.

Nihongi The Nihongi begins with the Japanese creation myth, explaining the origin of the world and the first seven generations of divine beings, and goes on with a number of myths and continues its account through to events of the 8th century.

Japanese Creation Myth

Theogony of Nihongi EGG (Heaven/Earth) Kun-tako-tachi . . . [five] . . . Izanagi no Mikoto Izanami no Mikoto (The Eight Islands of Japan) Taka-mi-musubi no Mikoto Ama-terasu no Oho kami Sosa no wo no Mikoto Kushi-nada-hime Taku-hata-chi-chi-hime Masa-ya-a-katsu-katsu-haya-hi ama no oshi-ho-mi-mi no Mikoto Oho-na-muchi no Kami Ka-ashi-tsu-hime Ama-tsu-hiko-hiko-ho-no-ninigi Ho no Susori no Mikoto Hiko-ho-ho demi no Mikoto Toyo-tama-hime Tama-yori-hime Ho no akari no Mikoto Kiho-nagisa-take-u gaya-fuki-ahezu no Mikoto ? Emperor Jimmu

Portrayals of Genesis Metaphysical (Origin of Cosmos): Religious (Poly- Mono- theistic): Social/Political (Hierarchy of Power): Social/Political (Patri- Matri- archy): Axis mundi (World Axis): Anthropological (Origin of Man): Environmental (Explanation of Natural): Psychological (Psyche/Archetypes): Morality (Values/Good v. Evil/Purpose of Man): Chaos within an Egg Polytheistic Void of Strict Power Structure Patriarchy Portrayals of Genesis Japan Descendants of the gods created by Izanagi and Izanami Cosmos is within Divine Egg; personification of gods Duality of In and Yo Void of strict good and evil; respect natural order

Significance of Nihongi Establishes Jimmu, the first emperor of Japan, as a descendant of Amaterasu. Birth of Japanese islands, as well the kami as ancestors of the various clans, all of which are revered. Establishes the mysterious creating and harmonizing power of kami, whose nature transcends understanding Man is kami’s child (all worthy of respect) each destined to carry on tradition