Reflecting the Past

Drawing on a decade of research, Erin Brightwell analyzes eight Mirrors and related medieval Japanese texts recounting the history of that time and place. Downplayed and obscured by previous scholars, the mirrors emerge as a once-dominant genre of historical writing-a means by which authors brought order to the chaos of the period.

Reflecting the Past este primul studiu in limba engleza care a abordat rolul istoriografiei in Japonia medievala, o epoca la acea vreme considerata a fi una de declin ireversibil. Pornind de la un deceniu de cercetari, inclusiv lucrari cu manuscrise medievale, acesta analizeaza un set de texte - opt oglinzi - care relateaza trecutul intr-un efort de a ordona lumea din jurul lor.