I. The history of teaching mythology in Japan
A. Nihongi, Kojiki, and the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate [1867]
B. Ethics classes in the Meiji [1868-1912] educational system
nationalism and the Emperor
filial piety and the Emperor
Bluestocking, 1912
C. The Militarists and education [1930s-1945]
the emperor as a living god: class considerations
what is a kami?
D. Americanization under the occupation
6-3-3-4 and the new universities
western curriculum
decentralization and the return of the Mombusho
E. Contemporary educational considerations
the exam system
eurocentricity and neo-asianism
Japanese liberals and the Emperor
Japanese conservatives and rewriting WWII
II. Japanese mythology in the popular consciousness
A. Shrines and festivals [matsuri]
B. News and archeology
excessive focus on Yamato/Yamatai
cults and characters
C. Movies, manga and anime
Birth of Japan [Nihon Tanjo], 1955
The Phoenix [Hi no Tori], 1967, 1978
Himiko [educational manga for children], 1984
The Five Star Stories, 1991
Orion, 1992
The Dark Myth, [Ankoku Shinwa], 1990
Blue Seed, 1995.
Takegami: Guardian of Darkness, 1990
The Ghost Princess [Mononoke Hime], 1996
D. Main characters: a reminder
Amaterasu
Susano-o
Princess Kushinada
the Kusanagi sword
sword, jewel and mirror
Yamato-dake
E. Japanese mythology in the west
Amaterasu and the New Age
Sandman: Season of the Mists, 1990
Blooded, 1998