Reporting is an absolutely indispensable element in present-day society. But in remote antiquity, too, reporting was in quite as great demand as it is to-day, and was of the highest importance in deciding man's desires and actions. It would, however, be erroneous to try to understand reporting in ancient times in terms of modern 'news' or 'the newspaper'. A short-cut to better understanding would be to classify the communication of various concrete facts with respect to the different aspects of old-time reporting. It is accordingly the object of this article to survey the multifarious phases of reporting in Ancient Japan.
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References
1.
Principles of Mythology, by Takeo Matsomura, Vol. I, pp. 137-138-
2.
Gishi Toi Den, in Sangogushi, Chapter: 'On the Japanese'.
3.
Nihon Shoki, Vol. I. Mythological Age, Part I. First edition, Book VI.
4.
Ditto, Vol. IX, First Part of Empress Jingu's Regency.
5.
Ditto, Vol. III, First Part of the Enthronement of Emperor Jimmu.
6.
Levy-Bruhl, Les Fonctions mentales dans les sociétés inférieures (p. 312, Japanese translation by Yoshihiko Yamada: `Mikai Shakai no Shii').
7.
Kenich Shimazaki , An Essential Study of the News and the Newspapers . In: Japanese Journalism Review No. I.
8.
'NIHONSHOKI', Vol. VIII. Pages concerning the 8th year of the Emperor Chuai's reign; Vol. IX: Regency of the Empress Jingu, First Part.
9.
Ditto, Vol. V, Pages concerning the 7th year of Emperor Sujin's reign.
10.
Ditto, Vol. XXVIII, Pages concerning the ist year of Emperor Temmu's reign.
11.
The Promulgation and Forms of Law of Various Ages. Shuko Miura, Studies of the System of Laws, Vol. I, p. 73.
12.
Koshikirei (The Formalities), in: Ryonogige (Commentary on Governmental Decrees), Vol. VII.
13.
Korei (Household Act), in: ibid., Vol. II.
14.
Ruiju Fu-Sen-Sho(Brief classified summary of Imperial Decrees) , Vol. III (Diseases).
15.
M. Ando, Literature of Decrees. In: Classical Literature and the Classical Word, p. 78.
16.
Sandai Jisuroku(True History of Three Ages), Vol. XXXVII.
17.
Nihon Shoki , Vol. XXIV. The second year of Empress Kogyoku's reign.
18.
Ditto, Vol. VII. The twenty-second year of Emperor Keiko's reign.
19.
Ditto, Vol. XI. The forty-first year of Emperor Nintoku's reign.
20.
Ditto, Vol. XII. The fourth year of Emperor Richu's reign .
21.
Shoku-Nihongi, Vol. VI. The sixth year of Wado, of Empress Genmyo's reign.
