Japanese Mythology

Hermeneutics on Scripture

Jun'ichi Isomae, Mukund Subramanian

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Hardback

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English

Equinox Publishing Ltd
01 May 2009

Religion: general; Oriental religions; Ancient religions & mythologies

Series: Religion in Culture

Before the westernisation of Japan, mythological events were treated as national history. Two key documents have contributed to this history, both written over 1300 years ago: 'Kojiki', the Tale of Old Age, and 'Nihonshoki', the Chronicle of Japanese History. Both the Imperial Court and the general public searched for the origin of their identity in these documents, which took on the central and sacred role of scripture. Through the act of commentary and interpretation, the sacred books connected interpreters to their historical origins, authenticating where they came from, the emergence of the Japanese archipelago, and the uniqueness of the Japanese people. 'Japanese Mythology' explores the nation's attraction to this act of historical grounding and the varying identities that emerged during different historical periods. The study reveals that, rather than having any clear and unified substance, Japanese mythology has always been the result of a nostalgic desire to retrieve historical origins.

By: Jun'ichi Isomae, Mukund Subramanian
Imprint: Equinox Publishing Ltd
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm, Spine: 15mm
Weight: 476g
ISBN: 9781845531829
ISBN 10: 1845531825
Series: Religion in Culture
Pages: 224
Publication Date: 01 May 2009
Audience: College/higher education , General/trade , Primary , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

1. National History, Shint? and Myth: General Remarks on the History of the Interpretation of the Kiki 2. The Canon and Variants: An Examination of the Mythology of Sysanowo 3. Myth in Metamorphosis: Ancient and Medieval Versions of the Yamatotakeru Legend 4. Myth and Rationality: Understanding God in the Early-Modern and Modern Period 5. Myth and Nationalism: Motoori Norinaga’s Creation Myths 6. The Space of Historical Discourse: Ishimoda Sh?’s Theory of the Heroic Age

Jun'ichi Isomae is Associate Professor of Historical Studies at Japan Women's University.

Reviews for Japanese Mythology: Hermeneutics on Scripture

A landmark study. Its sweeping reassessment of the scriptural hermeneutics of the ancient founding myths of Japan and their continued appropriation, use and abuse, over the ages contributes to a new scholarly approach towards the redefinition of religion as an integral part of material and political culture. It will, no doubt, become a standard reference for years to come. - Hent de Vries, Johns Hopkins University A highly readable and deeply intelligent book which will capture the attention of anyone with a critical interest in questions of myth, truth, history, power, scripture, and what it is to be human. - Brian Bocking, University College Cork