Engi Shiki

Engi Shiki, composed in Japan during the early 10th century, is a comprehensive guidebook that documents funeral practices, rituals, and laws related to death. It provides detailed descriptions of ceremonies, offerings, and authorities involved in managing death, reflecting societal attitudes and religious beliefs of the time. The text aimed to standardize funeral rituals and ensure proper rites, integrating Buddhist and Shinto elements. Engi Shiki is valuable for understanding medieval Japanese views on death, justice, and morality, serving as both a practical manual and a cultural record of how death was perceived and managed in early Japan.