KOJIKI: RECORDS OF ANCIENT MATTERS

Author: Basil Hall Chamberlain Number of Pages: 616 pages Published Date: 30 Sep 2005 Publisher: Tuttle Publishing Publication Country: Boston, United States Language: English ISBN: 9780804836753

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Reading Kojiki helped me have understanding for Japanese culture of today, in particular for Japanese anime such as Princess Momoke Show More Show Less. Any Condition Any Condition. See all 5 - All listings for this product. Ratings and Reviews Write a review. So the book cover is anachronistic and misleading. The Japanese text above is from the public domain. View 1 comment. Mar 13, Xia Xia added it Shelves: research-shinigami. The names of the Deities that were next born from her urine were the Deity Mitsuhanome and next the "Through giving birth to this child her Izanami'a august private parts were burnt, and she sickened and lay down. Clay-Viscid-Gods: Well, one day our mother had furious diarrhea. View all 9 comments. Jun 01, Michael Havens rated it liked it Recommends it for: Those intersted in the early history of Japan. Kojiki, or Records, is one of the oldest existing documents, besides the Nihongi Chronicles , which covers the very early history of Japan. It is rich with mythic allusions, hundreds and hundreds of Japanese Deities Kami , and is highly influenced by the nature-based, nationalistic religion of Shintoism. Up until recently, this work was considered to be the oldest work, surpassing Nihongi, but recent scholarship has shown that indeed, the Nihongi receives this distinction. Nevertheless, the Kojiki is very valuable as a source of historical information, which also accurately accounts for the Emperors and Empresses who ruled early Japan. But there are also other things that would interest a geeky reader like me. There are the deceptions between brother and brother. There are the sieges against an enemy. There is even the heart wrenching story of a love betrayal, where the princess, who sides with her brother, is executed by her lover and husband , after failed attempts to kidnap her and bring her over the fortifications, thereby saving her from destruction. The mirror that causes Izanagi, to come out of hiding and bring light back into the world, after she had been shamed by. Izanagi is also featured as the Kami, who, along with her companion, created Japan out of drops of ink dripping from the blade of a long spear. There is the very huge sword which uses on occasion. There are is also the unusual story of the use of oranges as a magical source in one section of the text. Then there is the court poetry near the end of the text. It should be of interest to the western reader how these poems are presented. Much like a question and answer, or more appropriately, like a call and echo, these poems have the one lover lamenting over their desire, almost to the breaking point, to have their lover be present with them. In response, the companion will create their own verse, agreeing with the situation, yet augmenting the problem by pointing out the difficulties faced on his or her end of things. I think for anyone interested in the spiritual and historical heritage of Japan, would find these lengthy lists of interest. There is also subtle references to Chinese influence in these stories. There are annotated references to actual places in China and of things of Chinese import sprinkled throughout the work. Now on to my peeve, Basil Hall Chamberlain's translation and commentary on the 'Kojiki'! I like the 'Kojiki', but Chamberlain's commentary irritates me. At the beginning of the work, Chamberlain doesn't hide it very well for his disdain for Japanese scholarship, at one time calling it "elaborate" and "fantastic" in the sense of unbelievable. Chamberlain's comments, while perhaps appropriate for a paper on Japanese scholarship and its shortcomings, is not appropriate in footnote to a translated work. After awhile, while even agreeing with the Japanese commentaries, I find myself wondering if Chamberlain isn't begrudgingly throwing such scholarship a bone. He does admittedly does a fine job when he's not making side remarks, but I find the lack of professionalism inferred irritating in the least. Also, what's with his using Latin in brief, and sometimes, fairly lengthy passages? While he will translate a part and give a few pages of explanation as to why the passage is difficult to translate or accept another's translation, he ends up at other times resorting to Latin. Why doesn't he just be consistent, translate the weaker portions, and explains like he does elsewhere why the translation is wanting? There are in some cases up to two pages where a whole passage of the 'Kojiki' is in Lain, then the commentary will sometimes start with, "As is obvious from the lines This name reappears in later Sections under the lengthened form of ami-musu-bi-mi-oya-no-mikoto , i. Apparently in the old language the word kuni written , which is now restricted to the former meaning, was used ambiguously somewhat like our word "land. Epic material is complemented by a fresh bucolic vein expressed in songs and poetry. This famous translation by the British scholar Basil Hall Chamberlain is enhanced by notes on the text and an extensive introduction discussing early Japanese society, as well as The Kojiki and its background. Koidonover Kaidanover , Aaron Samuel ben Israel. Kojima, Yukiyo —. Kok, Ada —. Koken, Johannes. Koken-Shotoku — Kokeny, Beatrix. Kokesch, Ozer. It stands as one of the greatest monuments of Japanese literature because it preserves more faithfully than any other book the mythology, manners, language and traditions of Japan. It provides, furthermore, a vivid account of a nation in the making. Descend back again and amend you words. What a fair and lovely maiden! Next they gave birth to the Island of Futa-na in Iyo. This island has one body and four faces, and each face as a name. Next they gave birth to the island of Tsukushi. This island likewise has one body and four faces, and each face has a name. Next they gave birth to the Island of Sado. The name of Land of the Eight Great Islands therefore originated in these eight islands having been born first. Next they gave birth to the Island of Adzuki another name for which is Ohonudehime. Next they gave birth to he Island of Oho, another name for which is Tamaru-wake. Having, thus, made a country from what had formerly been no more than a mere floating mass, the two Deities, Izanagi and Izanami, about begetting those deities destined to preside over the land, sea, mountains, rivers, trees, and herbs. Their first-born proved to be the sea-god, Owatatsumi-no-Kami.