Holy Book of Shinto

Shinto, the traditional religious tradition of Japan, does not have a single holy book comparable to the Bible or Quran. However, several ancient Japanese texts are important sources for Shinto beliefs, myths, rituals, and traditions. The two most significant are the Kojiki (“Records of Ancient Matters”), compiled in 712 CE, and the Nihon Shoki (“Chronicles of Japan”), completed in 720 CE.

The Kojiki contains creation stories, genealogies, legends, and accounts of the kami, or sacred beings and powers associated with nature, ancestors, and places. It includes the famous stories of Izanagi and Izanami, the divine creators of Japan, and Amaterasu Ōmikami, the sun goddess who holds an important position in Shinto mythology.

The Nihon Shoki presents similar myths and historical traditions but provides a more extensive chronological account of ancient Japan. Other important Shinto texts include the Engishiki, which preserves information about rituals and prayers, including norito, or formal Shinto prayers.

Shinto places great importance on purity, harmony with nature, reverence for kami, ancestral traditions, and ritual practice. Rather than following one universally authoritative scripture, Shinto is traditionally expressed through shrine worship, festivals, rituals, myths, and cultural practices. These ancient texts therefore serve as important sources for understanding Shinto mythology and religious traditions.