3 Review(s)

Primitive & Mediaeval Japanese Texts by F. Victor Dickins is a scholarly work that explores the early and medieval periods of Japanese literature and culture, providing translations and analyses of key texts from these eras. Dickins, a renowned British linguist and scholar of Japanese studies, offers an insightful introduction to Japan's rich literary tradition, emphasizing its historical and cultural significance.The book is divided into two main sections: one focusing on primitive or ancient Japanese texts, and the other on medieval writings. The primitive texts include some of the earliest examples of Japanese literature, including works from the Nara and Heian periods, such as the Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters) and the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan), which provide mythological and historical narratives foundational to Japanese identity. Dickins also discusses the Man'yōshū, Japan's oldest anthology of poetry, providing translations and interpretations that shed light on the cultural values of early Japanese society.