Any tips on writing an opening paragraph for a research paper?

I'm writing a paper on Japanese mythology, and I know idea where to start on writing an opening paragraph. Thanks in advance ^_^

Any tips on writing an opening paragraph for a research paper?
Your opening paragraphy should provide the reader a couple items. It should have a thesis statement of some kind - that is, it should tell the reader what proposition you are researching and answering - and it should tell the reader what evidences you will be examining to support the thesis.
Reply:This is what the dictionary says:





Japanese mythology is a system of beliefs that embraces Shinto and Buddhist traditions as well as agriculture-based folk religion.The Shinto pantheon alone consists of an uncountable number of kami (Japanese for "gods" or "spirits").





Just put into your own words.