Read, reflect, pray

Kojiki: story reader

Myths, genealogies, songs and accounts of rulers, following the sequence of the Kojiki.

English translation of this site’s published story summary and reading notes. This is a selected reading guide, not a complete translation of the ancient chronicle.

All 22 stories currently published in our Japanese reader have English versions.

1. The beginning of heaven and earthBefore the land had taken shape.
2. Islands and kami are bornFrom the heavenly jeweled spear to the islands.
3. The land of Yomi and the slope of partingBeyond the longing to meet again.
4. Purification and the three noble childrenFrom the waters come light, night, and sea.
5. Amaterasu and Susanoo’s oathDeities born from sword and jewels.
6. The heavenly rock cave and returning lightDeliberation, mirror, jewels, and laughter.
7. The great serpent and the palace at SugaEight heads and a trap of sake.
8. The long journey of the kami who helped a hareFrom Ōnamuji to Ōkuninushi.
9. The small kami and the light across the seaBuilding the land together, not alone.
10. The transfer of the landEnvoys arrive, and the deities respond.
11. The heavenly descendant and the kami who shows the wayParting the clouds toward Takachiho.
12. Blossom and rock: two sistersKonohanasakuyahime and Iwanagahime.
13. The lost fishhook and the sea palaceSearching for a lost fishhook.
14. The eastern journey and YatagarasuThe road from Kumano to Yamato.
15. The kami of Miwa and a single threadFrom a dream revelation to worship.
16. The prince who traveled to IzumoWaiting for speech, and the deity’s palace.
17. Yamatotakeru’s journey and song of homeThe Kusanagi sword, and a white bird.
18. Jingū and the Sumiyoshi kamiOracles in a journey across the sea.
19. People and a kami who came across the seaStories in skills, books, and jewels.
20. The people’s hearths and Emperor NintokuLooking over a land without smoke.
21. Hitokotonushi on Mount KatsuragiA royal party meets its mirror.
22. Two princes reveal their namesA hidden identity entrusted to song.

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