Old words - Kyuuji

It is also called "Honji" or "Sendai Kuji" (Preface to the Kojiki). Along with the Imperial Chronicles (Teiki) (Emperor Nikkei), it was the main source for the compilation of the Kojiki, and was also used in the compilation of the Nihon Shoki. It is a record of ancient myths and legends. Judging from the text of the Kojiki, its contents include legends from the Age of the Gods, various tales from the various emperors, and song stories. If we classify these according to the nature of the traditions, they are said to fall into three categories: rituals, clans, and performing arts. Originally, each clan passed down its own myths and legends, but in the 5th and 6th centuries, with the development of Yamato kingship and the accompanying growth of national consciousness, the various Kuji were integrated around the Great King to create a record with a unified political vision.

[Hiromichi Mayuzumi]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

「くじ」とも読み、「本辞(ほんじ)」「先代(せんだい)旧辞」ともいわれた（『古事記』序文）。帝紀(ていき)（帝皇日継(ていおうのひつぎ)）とともに『古事記』編纂(へんさん)のための主要な資料となり、また『日本書紀』の編纂にも使われた古代の神話・伝承の記録。その内容は『古事記』の文から推すと、神代の諸伝説、歴代天皇の巻々の諸説話、歌物語の類があり、これを伝承の性格から分類すれば祭祀(さいし)、氏族、芸能の3種となるといわれる。もともと各氏族にはそれぞれの神話、伝承が伝えられていたが、5～6世紀のころ大和(やまと)王権の発展とこれに伴う国家的自覚の成長を背景にして、大王を中心に各種旧辞の統合が図られ、統一的な政治構想をもつ記録がつくられたと考えられる。

［黛　弘道］

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