Phase X is officially underway and this month we’ll be exploring the illustrious cultural and cinematic landscape of Japan. As we make our way through the earliest films in the Nihon canon, this month’s first addition to our Radical Library is a book that stretches all the way back to the 8th century.

Compiled from ancient historic archives and courtier records by chronicler Ō no Yasumaro at the begest Prince Toneri, the Nikon Shoki was presented to Emperess Genshō in 720 A.D.. Inspired by earlier attempts at a comprehensive Japanese historical text like the Kojiki, and capturing the Empires shared lineage with the Chinese (the book was written in the diplomatically prescribed Classical Chinese), the Nihongi features both fanciful tales from Japan’s rich folkloric history, as well as official court documents and deeds.

The book begins with the Japanese creation myth (Tenchi-kaibyaku), officially inaugurating both the Japanese literary tradition and Japan’s native religion Shinto, The Nihongi is an expertly crafted text that weaves the animistic and supernatural elements with the quotidian proceedings of a growing empire.

Write Brain TV is proud to kick off our month-long celebration of Japanese arts with this absolutely essential foundational text.