The Kojiki/Nihon Shoki Mythology and Chinese Mythology: Theme, Structure, and Meaning

Xiaofei Tu,Wendy Xie

doi:10.3390/rel12100896

Abstract

This essay will compare myths found in the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki with thematically and structurally similar Chinese myths, and other Japanese texts, in order to shed light on the meanings of both Japanese and Chinese mythology. The authors’ approach is partly in the critical textual study tradition that traces back to Gu Jiegang and Tsuda Sokichi, and partly informed by comparative mythologists, such as Matsumae Takeshi, Nelly Naumann, and Antonio Klaus, with attention to Proppian and Levi-Straussian motifs in structural studies. First, we shall discuss some common themes in Chinese and Kojiki/Nihon Shoki myths. Second, we shall point out common structures in both Chinese and Japanese myths. Finally, we shall try to show how such common themes and structures could potentially help us understand the meanings of the myths in discussion.

Highlights

This essay will compare myths found in the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki with thematically and structurally similar Chinese myths, and other Japanese texts, in order to shed light on the meanings of both Japanese and Chinese mythology
We shall discuss some common themes in Chinese and Kojiki/Nihon Shoki myths
If we look back at the Kojiki/Nihon Shoki myths armed with this new understanding, we realize that all these myths share a similar underlying structure as well

Summary

Introduction

This essay will compare myths found in the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki with thematically and structurally similar Chinese myths, and other Japanese texts, in order to shed light on the meanings of both Japanese and Chinese mythology. The problem is that: The standard answers given during the 20th century were either that of a worldwide diffusion from an ancient cultural center such as Egypt or that of universal innate characteristics of the human psyche, such as the archetypes that create similar myths anytime and everywhere. It is difficult to imagine an early, Bronze Age spread of many important myths across vast continents and wide oceans. It has often been assumed but not yet proved that archetypes employed in the myths mentioned here are universally human and are found all across the globe. The study of Japanese mythology has been strongly comparative since the pioneering work of Takagi Toshio in the early 20th century. The comparison of Chinese and Japanese mythologies should be an important topic, given the historical and cultural connections between China and Japan

Sino-Japanese Cultural Exchanges and Mythology

The Structure of Chinese and Japanese Myths

Interpreting Chinese and Japanese Myths

Conclusions