is the oldest extant chronicle in
Japan, dating from the early 8th century (711–712) and composed by
O no Yasumaro at the request of
Empress Gemmei. The
Kojiki is a collection of
myths concerning the origin of the four home islands of Japan, and the
Kami. Along with the
Nihon Shoki, the myths contained in the
Kojiki are part of the inspiration behind many practices. Later, the myths were re-appropriated for
Shinto practices including the
misogi purification ritual.