Program Information

Through the indigenous Shinto religion delivered orally and then in written form in the 8th century, the Japanese are closely tied to their ancestral roots.

A Moment in Time is a brief, exciting and compelling journey into the past. Created to excite and enlighten the public about the past, its relevance to the present and its impact on the future, A Moment In Time is a captivating historical narrative that is currently broadcast worldwide.

Transcript

Lead: Through the indigenous Shinto religion delivered orally and then in written form in the 8th century, the Japanese are closely tied to their ancestral roots.

Intro.: A Moment in Time with Dan Roberts.

Content: The earliest records of Japanese history were written in the eighth century. The Kojiki or Records of Ancient Matters along with the Nihongi or Chronicles of Japan were ordered to be compiled by the imperial court and were written in Chinese. Besides written language, the Chinese introduced new forms of art and literature as well as Buddhist and Confucian theologies.

The Kojiki is a compilation of myths and legends of ancient Japan that had been passed on in the oral tradition for centuries. It forms the heart of Shinto, the ancient Japanese religion. Shinto thought is rooted in magical creation stories and the interpretation of these myths. According to Shinto mythology, the sun goddess is the founder of Japan and emperors are said to be descended from her and are divine spirits, called “kami.” Some of the myths in the Kojiki are considered semi-legendary because they are rooted, sometimes loosely, in the foundation of actual events.

For instance, Empress Jingu Kogo (jin gu ko go) is considered semi-legendary by some historians. According to legend, upon the death of Jingu’s husband, Emperor Chuai (chew ai), in the year 200, Jingu assembled a great fleet and began the peaceful conquest of Korea aided by a pair of divine jewels that supposedly controlled the ocean tides. Miraculously, Jingu’s son is said to have remained in her womb for three years, allowing her to complete the bloodless conquest before returning to Japan where she gave birth. Her son was Ojin, (‘Oh jin) the god of war. Some historians believe that Jingu was perhaps a composite figure in a matriarchal society anxious to protect Japanese independence during a period in which there was close cultural, political and military contact between Japan, Korea and China.

At the University of Richmond, this is Dan Roberts.

Virginia Standards