Note (return) — Chapter II · - SHINTŌ: MYTHS AND RITUAL

In order to gain a picture of life in Japan before the introduction of Chinese civilization, we must consult those photographs of the minds of the ancient islanders which still exist in their earliest literature. The fruits of the study of ethnology, anthropology and archaeology greatly assist us in picturing the day-break of human life in the Morning Land. In preparing materials for the student of the religions of Japan many laborers have wrought in various fields, but the chief literary honors have been taken by the English scholars, Messrs. Satow,1 Aston,2 and Chamberlain.3 These untiring workers have opened the treasures of ancient thought in the Altaic world.4