Inventing the Classics: Modernity, National Identity and Japanese Literature Book

"Inventing the Classics fills a major gap in Japanese literary studies in its presentation of ten original, sophisticated, and cogently argued essays on the process of the construction of 'Japanese literature' as it is known today. The volume combines a richly detailed historical approach to the study of canon formation with a nuanced theoretical discussion of the relevance of canon formation to the formation of a Japanese cultural and national identity. It also sheds important light on the changing socio-political function of specific works and genres."—Janet Walker, Rutgers University
"The collection presents a truly significant contribution to the study of Japanese literature. . . . All the essays are solidly researched and lucidly written, and the volume is certain to be widely used and cited."—Journal of Asian Studies