Japanese mythology is rich and varied. They recount stories of deities, spirits, demons, monsters, animals, and legendary humans who struggled to overcome immense obstacles... the list is endless. Most of the myths that have survived through the ages come from the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters) and the Nihon shoki (Chronicles of Japan), the former being dated back to 712, and the latter from 720. These books recounted the origins of Japan's social elite and were specifically compiled to strengthen their control. Creation myths, in particular, have always been used to assert control over society, and we can easily see this in the creation myth of Japan and being a great source of entertainment.