The oldest Royal family in the world（12） 2016/08/26
“ Kojiki” is the oldest Japanese history book. According to the preface of the book, it was written in 708, however there was no record on “ Kojiki” in Japanese official history book, “Nipponnshoki”. Moreover it was only around 15th century for “ Kojiki” to be known to public. Therefore it is difficult to understand for what and for whom “ Kojiki” was written. Many researchers presume it was written for the Royal family and people surrounding the family to understand correctly Japanese old long and honorable history.
Although it was compiled in early 8th century, it is a kind of anthology of invaluable old myths, poems and old sayings from ancient world. It is composed of three parts. The first part contains many interesting and suggestive myths regarding the birth of the nation and the Royal family.
The second part connects the world of myths with times of written history, namely from the first Emperor Jinmu to 15th Emperor Ojin. The third part records activities of Emperors from 16th Nintoku( died in 399) to 33rd Suiko (died in 628).
One of the attractive myths in the first part is the famous story of handover of the nation. According to the myth, this nation had been controlled by Izumo power but Gods above the sky decided to take over the control and negotiated with Izumo for many years and finally both agreed to do so with the condition that Gods above the sky would prepare the tallest wonderful shrine for Gods in Izumo.
This myth suggested this nation was not build by power and wars but through discussions and negotiations, and also the winner did not destroy the loser to extermination but pay tribute even to the loser.
Those attitudes form the basement of Japanese culture and in the long history, Japanese Emperors seldom controlled people by power but Royal family and people lived together with mutual trust. This is the one of key points why Japanese Royal family could enjoy by far the longest continuity in the world.
Meantime it is believed there are 8million Gods in Japan. Some of them are ancestors of Royal family and some others are ancestors of losers. Emperor prays for all 8millions Gods every day.
pray for 8millioms Gods
