Nihongi Analysis World LiteratureMr. Brennan

Myth & Power

How can religion be used to legitimize power?

How can religion be used to keep an individual or group from losing power?

Can you provide a historical or contemporary example that illustrates this?

Do-Now

Q u I z ? . . . F L I P A C O I N

SWBAT explain how myth reinforces the continued exploitation of the poor and inequitable power structures.

1. Review: Nihongi

Learning Objective

AGENDA

NoneHomeworkReminders

Port

rayals

of

Nih

on

gi • Metaphysical (Origin of Cosmos):

• Religious (Poly- Mono- theistic):

• Social/Political (Hierarchy of Power):

• Social/Political (Patri- Matri- archy):

• Axis mundi (World Axis):

• Anthropological (Origin of Man):

• Environmental (Explanation of Natural):

• Psychological (Psyche/Archetypes):

• Morality (Values/Good v. Evil/Purpose of Man):

Chaos within an Egg

Polytheistic

Void of Strict Power Structure ( W H Y ? )

Patriarchy

Japan

Descendants of the gods created by Izanagi and Izanami

Cosmos is within Divine Egg; personification of gods

Duality of In and Yo

Void of strict good and evil; respect natural order

Significance of Nihongi

• Establishes Jimmu, the first emperor of

Japan, as a descendant of Amaterasu.

• Birth of Japanese islands, as well the

kami as ancestors of the various clans,

all of which are revered.

• Establishes the mysterious creating

and harmonizing power of kami, whose

nature transcends understanding

• Man is kami’s child (all worthy of

respect) each destined to carry on

tradition