The Birth of Japanese Historiography

As the first book in English on the origins of Japanese historiography, using both archaeological and textual data, this book examines the connection between ancient Japan and the Korean kingdom of Paekche and how tutors from the kingdom of Kara helped to lay the foundation for a literate culture in Japan.

Autorentext

John R. Bentley is a professor of Japanese at Northern Illinois University. He is the author of ABC Dictionary of Ancient Japanese Phonograms, An Anthology of Kokugaku Scholars, and The Authenticity of Sendai Kuji Hongi.

Inhalt

1. The Medium: the Mechanics of Writing History 2. Words and Their Meaning 3. Mythical Beginnings and Beginning of Myth 4. From Kings to Heavenly Sovereigns 5. The Beginnings of Writing a History 6. The Tenmu-Jit Historiographical Project