"A masterly book . . . will prove of great assistance to a student of Japanese literature and thought from the eleventh century onwards." --Times Literary Supplement   "A major contribution to the fields of Japanese studies, comparative literature, and history of religions . . . a book that begs for classroom use." --The Eastern Buddhist   "Innovative and provocative . . . will be of interest not only to specialists in Japanese religion and Japanese culture, but also to literary critics and cultural historians." --Religious Studies Review   "Rich and stimulating material . . . an important help and influence to all concerned with understanding the tradition that has shaped Japanese culture and religion." --History of Religions   "Thought provoking, finely written . . . one of the more original and creative contributions to the study of medieval culture and religion to be produced by a Western scholar. . . . Can be read with profit by all Western students of Japanese culture . . . one of those rare books that has something to offer Japanese specialists in medieval studies." --Journal of Japanese Studies   "A very important contribution to Japanese studies . . . a paradigm of the genre." --Pacific Affairs   "This is an exciting, ground-breaking book." --Chanoyu Quarterly   "I have been most impressed and even excited by what I have read." --Donald Keene, Professor Emeritus and Shincho Professor Emeritus of Japanese Literature at Columbia University   "This is one of the most important books in Japanese studies in a long time and will influence the entire field." --Robert Bellah, former Elliott Professor of Sociology, Professor Emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley


"A masterly book . . . will prove of great assistance to a student of Japanese literature and thought from the eleventh century onwards." --Times Literary Supplement   "A major contribution to the fields of Japanese studies, comparative literature, and hi