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From: esot@uhura.cc.rochester.edu (Eric Sotnak)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.eastern
Subject: Re: Some Shinto Mythology
Message-ID: <1991Jan6.220954.22754@nas.nasa.gov>
Date: 6 Jan 91 22:09:54 GMT
References: <1991Jan3.083714.3406@nas.nasa.gov>
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In article <1991Jan3.083714.3406@nas.nasa.gov> loren@dweasel.llnl.gov (Loren Petrich) writes:
>
>	I have some questions about Shinto mythology that I have been
>trying to find answers to.

[ specifics deleted ]

1. Your best bet for learning about the mythological origins of Japan is
the _Kojiki_ (this just is the Japanese creation epic).

2. The best source for general info. on Shinto is Jean Herbert's book,
_Shinto_ (c. 1968??).

3. A good account of Japanese State Shinto (which is NOT the same as Shinto
proper) is Helen Hardacre's book, _Shinto and the State_ (c. 1989).

  According to the Kojiki, Japan was formed when the two deities, Izanaginokami
and Izanaminokami stirred the primordial foam of the sea with a jeweled-tip
spear.  When they lifted the spear out of the sea, some foam congealed on the
tip of the spear and dripped off forming the islands of Japan.  These islands
were called "onogorojima" or "congealed islands(s)".

  The Kojiki is rather dull (I think) if read in isolation from its influence
on and place in Shinto.  A comprehensive study of Shinto, in turn, requires
at least a passing familiarity with the Kojiki.

  You might also want to look at the _Nihongi_ (no author/trans. known 
offhand).

EOS