There’s so much cultural history in this world that one could learn, and the farther back you go, it’s so far flung and so unique and so fractured and distantly related that maybe an important way to keep growing is to find and follow learned people in fields that you know nothing about. I know nothing about Japanese prehistory, but I enjoy learning from you here.
And I feel naive to divulge that you’ve just taught me the meaning of the title of Peter Hessler’s book Oracle Bones. Thanks! His previous book River Town, about his time in the Peace Corps in rural China, was revelatory to me.
I’m being presumptuous now: does Kokugaku the anti-Buddhist, anti-Confucian nativist bring to mind any … contemporary American ways of thinking?
So! turtles all the way down! Seriously, fascinating piece, Leanne. I've wanted to get to the Manyoshu for awhile. I remember being surprised in learning about Japan's writing evolution from Chinese; my friend was second generation American in Hawaii with both sides of his family from Japan. His voice carried a bit of irritation about the issue.
Turtle steps turtle steps!!!! And me too. I have never studied Man’yōshū. In grad school I studied Genji and izumi Shikibu Nikki. But my real interest was Kokinshū. I have not read Man’yōshū at all but recently was inspired by a friend to get A copy.
Yet another element of the insecurity that drives 日本人論. A good read, Leanne. Thank you.
Thank you so much for reading, Brian!! Somehow I missed this from you! xoxoxoxo
So interesting Leanne, thank you.
There’s so much cultural history in this world that one could learn, and the farther back you go, it’s so far flung and so unique and so fractured and distantly related that maybe an important way to keep growing is to find and follow learned people in fields that you know nothing about. I know nothing about Japanese prehistory, but I enjoy learning from you here.
And I feel naive to divulge that you’ve just taught me the meaning of the title of Peter Hessler’s book Oracle Bones. Thanks! His previous book River Town, about his time in the Peace Corps in rural China, was revelatory to me.
I’m being presumptuous now: does Kokugaku the anti-Buddhist, anti-Confucian nativist bring to mind any … contemporary American ways of thinking?
Thank you so much, Bill!! I loved both Hessler's books. And yes, it DOES bring to mind some ways of thinking!!
So! turtles all the way down! Seriously, fascinating piece, Leanne. I've wanted to get to the Manyoshu for awhile. I remember being surprised in learning about Japan's writing evolution from Chinese; my friend was second generation American in Hawaii with both sides of his family from Japan. His voice carried a bit of irritation about the issue.
Turtle steps turtle steps!!!! And me too. I have never studied Man’yōshū. In grad school I studied Genji and izumi Shikibu Nikki. But my real interest was Kokinshū. I have not read Man’yōshū at all but recently was inspired by a friend to get A copy.