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Publisher's Summary

Basil Hall Chamberlain (1850-1935) was a professor of Japanese at Tokyo Imperial University. This is his translation of the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters), which was compiled in AD 712 by Ō no Yasumaro at the request of Empress Genmei. One of the two primary sources of the Japanese national religion of Shinto, The Kojiki is a collection of myths, early legends, songs, genealogies, oral traditions, and semi-historical accounts. Starting with a creation story, the narrative shifts from mythology to historical legends and concludes with a chronology of the early Imperial line. It includes supernatural episodes and tales of romance, passion, and murder.
Public Domain (P)2018 Museum Audiobooks
Other Religions, Practices & Sacred Texts Spirituality World
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What listeners say about The Kojiki

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Chris Johnson
  • 2020-12-19

Name Translation

Chamberlain opted to translate the names of the deities as opposed to keeping the original names, and I wish he hadn’t done that. He also referred to the underworld as Hades, which, while technically correct, shouldn’t be used when translating a non-Hellenistic religious text... But all in all, I enjoyed the read!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Anonymous User
  • 2020-10-05

hard if you dont know the gods names

hard if you dont know the Japanese names of the gods but I did so I understood but they should be better Translations since there's Latin in one part from the translator the voice actor was good

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Jesse Street
  • 2019-12-13

Strange Translation

The book would be much better if the translation wasn’t so wonky. Japanese mythology is fascinating, but until I’m able to find another translation that is better I won’t be reading the kojiki again. Look for a different book on Japanese mythology.