Japanese Canon - Another View

Just finished a Chinese book translated from Japanese named Japanese Cultural History. In terms of canonical texts discussed, this book has a slightly different take than the Sources of Japanese Tradition.:

- Didn't consider Shintoism to be really worth considering, since it was really made up after Meiji era

- Didn't see the importance of Saicho / Kukai - as their works are mostly confined to monks / nobles.

- Tale of Genji - is a significant work, prose that is embeded with lots of Japanese poetry 和歌。

- With Kamakura Buddhist - emphasized importance of Shinran and Dogen. Also gave data that in between WWI and WWII, affiliations were highest for Shinran's sect, followed by Dogen's sect. Yes, their works are also more respected than Honen's as I noted in the other post.

- Among the Meiji thinkers, confirmed my feelings that while there is no one dominant figure, Motoori Norinaga was the most respected scholar.

- Didn't emphasize Fukuzawa's role in early Meiji period. 

- Also emphasized significance of primary author of No plays, and author of plays for glass dolls in Tokugawa-era.