Journey to the Dawn of Japan: Long before samurai, shoguns, and emperors, there were gods who shaped the heavens, created the islands of Japan, and gave rise to a nation whose stories have endured for more than a thousand years.

Compiled in 712 CE by Ō no Yasumaro, The Kojiki, or Records of Ancient Matters, is Japan's oldest surviving chronicle and the foundation of Japanese mythology and Shinto tradition. Within its pages are the timeless stories of the creator deities Izanagi and Izanami, the radiant sun goddess Amaterasu, the storm god Susanoo, the heroic Ōkuninushi, and the legendary origins of Japan's imperial family.

This edition features the complete translation by Basil Hall Chamberlain, whose pioneering 1882 English version introduced The Kojiki to listeners around the world. Revered for its accuracy and extensive scholarly notes, Chamberlain's translation remains one of the most respected and enduring editions of this ancient masterpiece.

Part mythology, part genealogy, part poetry, and part history, The Kojiki offers a remarkable window into the beliefs, customs, and imagination of early Japan. It preserves the myths that have shaped Japanese culture for over thirteen centuries and stands as one of the world's great collections of sacred and heroic literature.

Whether you are fascinated by mythology, Japanese history, folklore, or world religions, The Kojiki is an unforgettable journey into the origins of a civilization and the timeless stories that continue to inspire listeners across the globe.