A copy of an eighth century compilation of records from Shimane Prefecture dates back to the mid-17th century and is considered to be one of the oldest of its kind, museum officials said Tuesday.
The copy of "Izumo no kuni fudoki" was purchased at an antiquarian bookshop in Tokyo in spring 2000. Izumo is the ancient name for an area that lies in Shimane Prefecture. The copy will be exhibited at the Shimane Prefectural Museum in Matsue beginning Jan. 8.
An analysis of the document led the museum officials to date the copy to the middle of the 17th century.
"Izumi no kuni fudoki" details a creation myth, which explains how a deity used rope to pull land from the Korean Peninsula, forming the peninsula where Shimane Prefecture is located.
"Fudoki" are records made in the eighth century that describe the history, geography, folklore and products of various provinces. "Izumo no kuni fudoki" is the only copy of the records that remains completely intact. The original has been lost.
The oldest copy of the Izumo document is a late 16th-century version kept at Kumamoto University in southwestern Japan.