Commissioned by Empress Genmei and painstakingly put to paper between late 711 and mid-712 CE, the Kojiki stands as Japan’s oldest surviving chronicle of myths and early history. Tasked with preserving the nation’s oral traditions, court noble Ō no Yasumaro was entrusted to weave together ancient songs, genealogies and legends that had been handed down in provincial courts. Working from imperial archives and interviews with regional clan elders, Yoshumaro transformed disparate oral strands into a coherent narrative, tracing the imperial line back to the sun goddess Amaterasu.

The timing wasn’t arbitrary. After decades of political consolidation following the Taika Reforms, a clear, authoritative record helped solidify the Yamato court’s divine pedigree—much like laying a solid foundation before building a skyscraper. Fast-forward to today, and echoes of the Kojiki still resonate: Shinto rituals at Ise Grand Shrine draw directly on its mythic framework, while manga and anime continue to breathe new life into its cast of kami. Nearly 1,300 years since its compilation, the Kojiki remains the bedrock for understanding how ancient beliefs shaped Japan’s cultural identity.