ACKERMANAt a glance
History, context & interpretation
The text and its story
Myths of Izanagi and Izanami creating Japan, the sun goddess Amaterasu hiding in a cave, and her brother Susanoo slaying an eight-headed serpent. It then traces the emperors' descent from the gods.
Traditional attribution
Sacred history of the kami and the imperial line.
Historical scholarship
Compiled by Ō no Yasumaro from the recitations of Hieda no Are, for Empress Genmei.
Context and curiosity
The sword Susanoo found in the serpent's tail is said to be one of the Imperial Regalia.
Chronology and transmission
This text belongs to Japan (Shinto) (Nara Japan). The catalogue gives its approximate dating as 712 CE and original language or script as Old Japanese / Classical Chinese. The dated manuscript witnesses and traditional claims may not refer to the same historical event.
Sources and further reading
Historical descriptions are educational summaries. Religious traditions, scholarly interpretations and unverified claims are distinguished where possible; imagery may be illustrative rather than an artifact photograph.
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