Shintoism Vs. The Kojiki

The religion Shintoism started and spread from Japan. Containing two sacred texts allows followers to learn how to live their lives. The Kojiki contains short stories, poems, and songs to teach followers. All the stories revolve around different, male and female, deities and how a person should conduct their lives. The Nihongi contains three books that focus on the gods and emperors that helped explain the history of Japan more so than The Kojiki. Shinto is a polytheistic religion that contains both male and female deities. Including both male and female divine beings, deities must complete certain responsibilities to the world and humans. Description of male and female deities appear the exact same way. The names used to describe what that
Although most of the goddess revealed are strong-willed who will do anything to finish or complete the job they are bound to accomplish. “This business was yet unconcluded, [the child] with which she was pregnant was to be born. Forthwith, in order to restrain her august womb. . .the august child was born after she had crossed [back] to the Land of Tsukushi.”3 In this story, the goddess put her duty above the birth of her child. Constraining herself from giving birth, this goddess proved her willingness to hold off giving birth until her responsibilities were concluded. Here goddesses represent themselves as strong-willed and powerful beings. Seemingly putting them on equal standing to the gods. Women can be as strong as men within any society. Women appear to not play a role in the narration; however, goddesses are portrayed as powerful beings. As a result, gods and goddesses seem to be on equal standing within Shintoism. Even though goddesses remain introduced secondly, it becomes known later that they are just as powerful. In fact, goddesses gain respect and become looked up to within the Kojiki. Both divine beings take on important roles and in the end, they stand together stand
Firstly, Christianity believes in monotheism. Secondly, only one scared text exists, The Holy Bible, enclosing sixty-six books. Thirdly, various women are stars within certain books. When it comes to the description of men and women, they are equal. Figuring out which names are men and women; non-followers have an easy time doing so. “The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milkah; she was the daughter of Haran, the father of both Milkah and Iskah.”4 Women are not compared to anything non-human. The only things the women get compared to are perhaps other women and sometimes men. Commonly, within The Holy Bible it is stated what gender the person is immediately before or after. Rarely will a list of names appear without any identification or hints towards the gender. Unlike with Shintoism, gender neutrality is not present in The Holy Bible. While many people mentioned are male, a number of women hold positions of power. Some even have entire books dedicated to them. One woman who stood out, Esther, took on the position of a ruler. Esther proved her strength and willingness to devote her life to her religion. “‘If I have found favor with you, grant me my life-this is my petition. And spare my people-this is my request.’”4 Esther never wanted to become a queen. Being chosen by her God, Esther took up the position of queen. She too became the spokeswomen of her people,