Vincent Cucciuffo

World Literature

Professor Springs

March 27, 2023

Kojiki Connections Paper

Kojiki is a Japanese ancient record that traces the mythology and history of Japan from

the conception of the world to the formation of the first Japanese emperor. Book one of Kojiki is

separated into 3 distinct parts.

1) The "Age of the Gods" section of Book One of Kojiki, includes stories of various

gods and their activities in making the world and shaping the early history of Japan.

The gods were depicted as having human-like characteristics and emotions, and they

interact with each other in ways that reflect human relationships, and emotions like

jealousy, anger, and love. In the Aeneid, the gods also seemed to portray human-like

emotions. In Kojiki’s description of the god Susanoo’s rage towards his sister “raging

like a great storm" (Kojiki 1.9), the sun goddess Amaterasu, while his apology is

filled with remorse and regret, as he laments his actions and begs for forgiveness. The

same theme happens of gods portraying human-like characteristics happened in book

1 of the Aeneid, lines 25-29, Juno is consumed by her hatred and envy towards the

Trojans, saying "Can heavenly minds such high resentment show, / Or exercise such

spite in gods below?" In those lines, Juno is portrayed as being jealous of the trojans

and their fate.

2) The "Age of Emperors" section in Book one of Kojiki and the Kebra Nagast have

many similarities for instance: focuses on the early rulers of Japan, who are often

described as semi-divine figures with supernatural abilities. The “Age of Emperors”

in Kojiki focuses on the lineage of the Japanese emperors and their deeds and

accomplishments, including battles, alliances, and political maneuvering. While

similarly the Kebra Nagast is an ancient Ethiopian text that tells the story of the

lineage of the Ethiopian emperors, tracing their descent from the biblical King

Solomon and the Queen of Sheba,

The similarities don’t stop there, The Kebra Nagast and “The Age of Emperors”

section in book one of the Kojiki, convey a sense of divine right to rule, with the

emperors being seen as the “chosen” representatives of the gods. In the "Age of

Emperors" section of Kojiki Book One, the emperors are said to be descendants of the

gods, while the Kebra Nagast states that the Ethiopian emperors are the descendants

of King Solomon and are therefore chosen by God to rule.

Lastly, both these texts contain elements of myth and legend. The "Age of

Emperors" in Book one of Kojiki includes stories of supernatural beings and divine

intervention, while the Kebra Nagast includes tales of angels, miracles, and divine

intervention.

3) The Final part of book one of The Kojiki is known as the “Age of Heros” This section

mainly focuses on the legendary figures who are celebrated for their bravery. Yamato

Takeru ventures out on a journey to subdue rebellious tribes and to avenge the death

of his brother. Similarly, in the Odyssey, Odysseus sets out on a long and risky

journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. Both heroes encountered various
 obstacles along the way, and their journeys ultimately lead to personal growth and

transformation. Yamato Takeru came also across some mythical creatures, a giant

serpent much like when Odysseus faced the cyclops and Circe in the Odyssey.

Finally, in the Kojiki, Susanoo the sun God says to Yamato Takeru, "I am the one

who has been with you all along, guiding you" (Kojiki 26). Much like how Athena guides

Odysseus in the Odyssey. Both Texts provided a portrayal of the heroic journey.

Work Cited:

Kojiki, trans. Donald L. Philippi (University of Tokyo Press, 1968).

The Odyssey, trans. Robert Fagles (Penguin Classics, 1997).