Isomae (International Research Center for Japanese Studies) offers six essays on Shinto as an experiment in interpreting history and elucidating its influence and function. They cover the history of the interpretation of the Kiki, the mythology of Susanowo, ancient and medieval versions of the Yamatotakeru legend, understanding god in the early-modern and modern periods, Motoori Norinaga's creation myths, and Ishimodo Sho's theory of the heroic age. His introduction looks at hermeneutics on the theory of sacred texts and nostalgia toward historical origins. There is no indication that the essays were published together in Japanese; four of them were translated and published separately in English. Distributed in North America by The David Brown Book Co. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)