From its early stories of gods, monsters, and mischievous mythical creatures to its more grounded recountings of historical events, this classic collection of the first literary efforts of the Japanese people is the preeminent source of knowledge about Japanese antiquity. First published in this translation in 1896, includes a history of the Shinto, variations on the basic myths and legends of the nation, and insight into the manners and customs of the early Japanese. Students of folklore and comparative religion as well as those of Japanese history will find this an invaluable resource. British Japanologist and diplomat WILLIAM GEORGE ASTON (1841-1911) was one of the first Europeans to acquire a working understanding of the Japanese language. He served in Japan and Korea in a variety of diplomatic posts, and authored, among other works, Shinto: The Way of the Gods and A History of Japanese Literature.

From its early stories of gods, monsters, and mischievous mythical creatures to its more grounded recountings of historical events, this classic collection of the first literary efforts of the Japanese people is the preeminent source of knowledge about Japanese antiquity. First published in this translation in 1896, includes a history of the Shinto, variations on the basic myths and legends of the nation, and insight into the manners and customs of the early Japanese. Students of folklore and comparative religion as well as those of Japanese history will find this an invaluable resource. British Japanologist and diplomat WILLIAM GEORGE ASTON (1841-1911) was one of the first Europeans to acquire a working understanding of the Japanese language. He served in Japan and Korea in a variety of diplomatic posts, and authored, among other works, Shinto: The Way of the Gods and A History of Japanese Literature.

The diplomat and Japanese and Korean scholar William George Aston (1841-1911) wrote several highly regarded publications, particularly on the Japanese language. Condensed from his more comprehensive 1905 study of the subject, this 1907 work is a brief introduction to Shinto, the indigenous religion of Japan. Based on the worship of nature and ancestor spirits, Shinto has evolved throughout its history, particularly under Buddhist and Confucian influence. In the late nineteenth century it played a notable role in the revival of Japanese nationalism, and continued to be central to public life until 1945. This work focuses on describing Shinto's general character, and its myths and practices, drawing on early written sources based on the oral tradition. Aston's work has been criticised for its dependence on philological study of the early texts, but his expertise is undeniable. His groundbreaking History of Japanese Literature (1899) is also reissued in this series.

The diplomat and Japanese and Korean scholar William George Aston (1841-1911) wrote several highly regarded publications, particularly on the Japanese language. This work is a chronological survey of Japanese literature from its early songs to the European-influenced works of the nineteenth century. It covers lyrics, poetry, prose and children's stories, and charts the major themes in the history of Japanese learning. At the time of publication in 1899, Japanese literature was little known to European readers, and Aston is careful to assume no prior knowledge of the subject, focusing instead on the most important works and writers, and providing contextual political and religious detail where necessary. His treatment of contemporary literature, and of works not typically discussed for their literary merit, was groundbreaking. The book as a whole remained unsurpassed for eighty years. Aston's introductory survey of traditional Japanese religion, Shinto (1907), is also reissued in this series.

This Is A New Release Of The Original 1905 Edition.

This Is A New Release Of The Original 1907 Edition.

This Is A New Release Of The Original 1905 Edition.

1905. This work comprises an outline theory of the origin and earlier stages of the development of religion, prepared with special reference to the Shinto evidence. Contents: Materials for the Study of Shinto; General Features-Personification; General Features-Deification of Men; General Features-Functions of Gods, etc.; Myth; The Mythical Narrative; The Pantheon-Nature-Deities; The Pantheon-Man-Deities; The Priesthood; Worship; Morals, Law and Purity; Ceremonial; Magic, Divination, Inspiration; and Decay of Shinto. Modern Sects.

From its early stories of gods, monsters, and mischievous mythical creatures to its more grounded recountings of historical events, this classic collection of the first literary efforts of the Japanese people is the preeminent source of knowledge about Japanese antiquity. First published in this translation in 1896, includes a history of the Shinto, variations on the basic myths and legends of the nation, and insight into the manners and customs of the early Japanese. Students of folklore and comparative religion as well as those of Japanese history will find this an invaluable resource. British Japanologist and diplomat WILLIAM GEORGE ASTON (1841-1911) was one of the first Europeans to acquire a working understanding of the Japanese language. He served in Japan and Korea in a variety of diplomatic posts, and authored, among other works, Shinto: The Way of the Gods and A History of Japanese Literature.

From its early stories of gods, monsters, and mischievous mythical creatures to its more grounded recountings of historical events, this classic collection of the first literary efforts of the Japanese people is the preeminent source of knowledge about Japanese antiquity. First published in this translation in 1896, includes a history of the Shinto, variations on the basic myths and legends of the nation, and insight into the manners and customs of the early Japanese. Students of folklore and comparative religion as well as those of Japanese history will find this an invaluable resource. British Japanologist and diplomat WILLIAM GEORGE ASTON (1841-1911) was one of the first Europeans to acquire a working understanding of the Japanese language. He served in Japan and Korea in a variety of diplomatic posts, and authored, among other works, Shinto: The Way of the Gods and A History of Japanese Literature.

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