In recent years, there has been a noticeable and enthusiastic increase of interest in Buddhist temples and Shint shrines in Japan. The legends of these temples and shrines are recorded in many historical manuscripts and these genealogies have such great significance that some of them have been registered as national treasures of Japan. They are indispensable to elucidate the history of these temples and shrines, in addition to the formation process of the ancient Japanese nation.

This book provides a comprehensive examination of the genealogies and legends of ancient Japanese...