Japanese Mythology

Jun’ichi Isomae is Associate Professor, International Research Center for Japanese Studies.

• 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

"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