Kojiki
Basic Information
- Catalog ID: 201
- Item ID: 574
- Category: Calligraphy and Books
- Country: Japan
- Period: Nanboku-chō Period (1185–1333)
- Author: Ken’yu
- Date designated: June 9, 1951
- Prefecture: Aichi
- Location: Aichi Prefecture
- Owner: Hōshō-in
Source: Excerpted from the National Designated Cultural Properties Database (https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/index)
Overview
Kojiki (Script by Ken’yu) is a copy of the Kojiki, considered Japan’s oldest historical text, housed at Daisukanon (Hōshō-in) in Nagoya City. It was written by Ken’yu, a monk from the Nanboku-chō Period. The manuscript is commonly known as the “Shinpukuji Version.” Due to its status as the oldest and only complete surviving copy—comprising all three volumes—it possesses extremely high historical value.
Historical Background
The Kojiki was originally completed in 712 CE, but the original manuscripts from that era have been lost. This specific work was meticulously copied by Ken’yu, a disciple of Shin’yu (the founder of Hōshō-in), between 1371 and 1372 CE during the Nanboku-chō Period. He faithfully transcribed texts collected by his master. The piece conveys not only Ken’yu’s passion for preserving Japan’s valuable classical literature during a period of great turmoil, but also the history of Hōshō-in in safeguarding it to the present day.
Features and Appeal
The greatest appeal of this manuscript lies in its status as one of the oldest surviving copies among all existing Kojiki texts. Academically and artistically, several features are notable:
- Rarity as a Complete Set: It is an invaluable copy because it retains all three volumes (Upper, Middle, and Lower), allowing scholars to grasp the text’s entirety.
- Fidelity of Copying: Ken’yu reproduced the format and characters of the source material with extreme fidelity. Many experts believe this suggests that the manuscript preserves a form close to the original Nara Period texts.
- Evidence of Annotation: Marginal notes and corrections by Ken’yu are visible alongside the main text. These provide crucial clues into how intellectuals of the time interpreted and studied the Kojiki.
- Linguistic Value: The retention of unique character usage (such as Man’yō-gana) and specific reading styles makes it a primary source indispensable for the study of ancient Japanese language.