Book excerpt: Also known as the "Records of Ancient Matters," this is the "official" story of the Japanese peoples, first written down in the 8th century and documenting the creation of the world, the gods, and Japan. The oldest known document in the Japanese language, this is a vital text of the Shinto religion, a beautiful evocation of the mythology and traditions of ancient Japan.This edition also includes the Yengishiki, a compilation of Shinto rituals, including "The Harvest Ritual," "The Ritual for the Wind-Gods," "The Ritual for EvilSpirits," and others.