The Hyuga Episode of Kojiki

Synopsis

The oldest historical text in Japan, the Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters), was compiled in 712. It starts with the creation myth and the emergence of the gods. Four episodes set in Hyuga—"The Cleansing," "Sun Goddess Amaterasu," "Blooming Flowers," and "Umisachi and Yamasachi"—have been adapted into an animation.

Background

The four animation sequences written and directed by Yamamura are set in Hyuuga and concern themselves with the Shinto creation myth and the emergence of gods. After screening on TV and NHK on Demand, the sequences were edited into a festival version under the title The Hyuga episode of Kojiki (古事記 日向篇/ Kojiki Hyūgahen, Japan, NHK, 2013) and in French, Récit des temps anciens : épisodes de Hyûga. The festival edition competed at Ottawa, MONSTRA, and Animafest. It also made the Jury Selection at the 17th Japan Media Arts Festival. The 4 episodes that compose The Hyuga Episode of Kojiki are: #1 The Cleansing (禊/ Misogi, 3’17”) #2 Sun Goddess Amaterasu (天照大御神/ Amaterasu Ookami, 2’11”) #3 Flowering Tree (木花之佐久夜毘売/ Konohananosakuya-bime, 2’31”) #4 Umisachi and Yamasachi (海佐知山佐知/ Umisachi Yamasachi, 3’30”)