Japan’s Eightfold Fence - American Affairs Journal
Eight clouds arise. The eightfold fence of Idzumo makes an eightfold fence for the spouses to retire [within]. Oh! that eightfold fence. —Kojiki, “Records of Ancient Matters” (AD 712) (内憂外患) Troubles within, dangers without. —Mid-nineteenth-century phrase describing weakening of Tokugawa bakufu and Western imperial encroachment For Westerners sympathetically acculturated to accepting radical multi
