Gods and Heroes in Ancient Japan

In this FIG, students will explore the formative stories of Japan found in the eighth-century histories, Kojiki and Nihon Shoki. What from these tales is myth, and what history? Do the stories depict mythical gods or real people? How and why did they become central to modern Japanese political thought, and important sources for comics and animation? In the main FIG seminar, students will use intensive reading, writing, and discussion to examine the stories themselves, the ways in which they have been interpreted, and what those interpretations mean for our understanding of both ancient and modern Japan. In the other two classes, students will read selections from the first 1000 years of Japan’s literary tradition (in English translation), and will begin (or continue) learning Japanese language.