William Elliot Griffis' Studies in Japanese History and Their Significance

It is important that Japanese historians know how foreign scholars view Japan and its history so that they can develop a broader and sounder perspective in the research on the nation's past. It is, however, to be regretted that there is a lack of good, modern Japanese and foreign historiographical studies on Japan and it is this lack which must be rectified. If a history of modern Japanese historiography is to be written, it is necessary to establish when and with whom modern Japanese historical writing began. ¹