This research project focuses on the translation of Japanese engi 縁起 texts, produced at local Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines before the 20th century. These texts typically relate the histories of origins of local sacred sites and are exciting examples of politically and economically motivated mythmaking and local identity-building. They reflect the overlooked political, economic, and cultural agency of local historical actors and present views of Japan's history "from the margins" that often differ from the well-known and long-accepted master narratives. MA students in Japanese Studies are welcome to contribute to this ongoing project.