Thinking about stories

I research medieval literature, particularly works written in the 12^th and 13^th centuries. Those stories did not just follow the exploits of knights and ladies in contemporary society: they covered a wide range of material, from Roman mythology, to legends of King Arthur and Alexander the Great, to the world of Byzantine Empire. The writers gained ideas from faraway places but rearranged them in the contemporary fashion. Tales of popular heroes such as Lancelot du Lac and Tristan were rewritten time and again in different languages.

I knew none of the above as a child, but eagerly read Eastern and Western fantasy novels, captivated by their faraway settings. Some were probably inspired by medieval Europe, so a lecture on medieval French literature at university sparked an instant recognition. “This is it!” It felt like a destined meeting.

Nowadays Japan also produces numerous fantasy novels, ^isekai manga, and role-playing games (RPGs) with medieval-like settings. Even as our society undergoes never-ending hectic changes, we are drawn to the European Middle Ages. The reason why is another key question in my research.