Yanagita Kunio (1872-1962) is widely known as the founder of folklore studies in Japan, and his achievement in presenting a systematic framework for the discipline is highly valued amongst academic writings. However, many of his ideas still need to be examined, and in recent years there has been a renewal of interest in his works, especially among scholars of intellectual history. This re-evaluation of his achievements is generally attributable to the current view that Yanagita retained an independent position as an intellectual struggling to solve the various problems that dominated Japan in the years of great change from Meiji and Taisho to Showa. First published in 1993. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

The changes that have taken place in Japan as a result of rapid economic growth, have renewed interest in the work of Yanagita Kunio. This book offers a re-evaluation of his writings.