The general composition of the volume is basically the same as the foregoing two. Mr. Havens has revised the translations for this volume, and appended a paper of his own . I have added a preliminary introductory chapter , explaining the purpose and contents of the volume. Overall, we hope that the volume provides readers with some degree of access to recent trends in this area of religious studies in Japan. The fundamental polytheism of Japanese religion results in a diverse complexity in the way people conceptualize such kami , and we hope to introduce a spectrum of approaches to the concept.
Plans are to publish that volume three years from now.
The Institute for Japanese Culture and Classics was established in the fall of 1955 to promote studies relating to Japanese culture, particularly religion, classic literature, and folklore. Other important purposes of the Institute are to promote the international exchange of researchers and scholarly information. As a result, translation activities such as those found in these pages are a direct part of the Institute's founding purpose. Our continuing policy is to select themes for translation in harmony with subjects of research currently being undertaken by the staff of the Institute. In closing, I would like to express our thanks for Kokugakuin University's recognition of the necessity and importance of the work of translation, as expressed in the continuing financial support which makes this series possible.