kojiki or "furukotofumi" (), also called in english the "records of ancient matters", is the oldest book known in japan. it was written 712 ce, and dedicated to empress gemmei. the kojiki is a book about japanese mythology (shinto), legends, songs, genealogies, oral traditions, and semi-historical accounts down to 641 bce. the book mixes the legends of first emperor of japan and several others with stories about the gods. therefore, it is difficult to know which parts of the kojiki are real and which parts are legend. according to legend, all the emperors of japan are descended from amaterasu, the sun goddess.