The Kokiji
The Kojiki, translated "Record of Ancient Matters," is the earliest known Japanese text and is considered sacred in the Shinto religion.Though compiled in the early 8th century, it claims to be derived fromeven earlier sources. It begins with a creation story, including thecreation of the first gods, and goes on to give detailed accounts ofearly Japanese customs, rituals, and divination practices. True to theform of subsequent Shintoism, it combines the religious with thepolitical by weaving divine history with the origins of Japan's rulingdynasties. Even this early on, the Kojiki shows evidence of influencefrom Chinese Confucianism and Buddhism.