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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 Paekche helped to lay the foundation for a literate culture in Japan.
Illustrating how tutors from the kingdom of Paekche taught Chinese writing to the Japanese court through the prism of this highly civilized culture, the book goes on to argue that Paekche tutors guided the early Japanese court through writing, recording family history, and ultimately an early history of the ruling family. As the Japanese began to create their own history, they relied on Paekche histories as a model. Triangulating textual data from Kojiki, Nihon shoki, and Sendai kuji hongi, the author here demonstrates that various aspects of early king genealogies and later events were manipulated. Offering new theories about the Japanese ruling family, it is posited that Emperor Jit had her committee put Jingu in power, and Suiko on the throne in place of original male rulers to enhance images of strong, female rulers, as she envisioned herself.
The Birth of Japanese Historiography will be a valuable resource for students and scholars of Japanese history, historiography, and linguistics.
List of contents
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
About the author
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.
Summary
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.
