A collection of essays by North American and Japanese scholars on the life, work and influence of Yanagita Kunio (1875–1962), the founder of Japanese Folklore Studies. In addition to providing background information on Yanagita and his discipline, the eight contributors whose evaluations of Yanagita vary critically examine his research methodology, political stance, use of language, relevance for nation-building efforts in the Third World, and impact on Japanese intellectuals. Also included is an annotated translation of Chapter Two of Yanagita's 1941 essay, Nihon no matsuri (The Festivals of Japan).