Japanese Religions

Religion in Japan is hybrid from the very start. We will study the earliest stories of the kami, or gods, the only way we can - through texts that include Chinese and Korean elements. We will then consider the importation of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism and examine how they were absorbed and altered. After attention to the rise of a self-aware “Shinto” (way of the kami) tradition, we will also investigate reactions to Christianity in the 16th century, the appearance of new religions starting in the 19th century, and modern challenges and adjustment to traditional religious life. Throughout, we will ask how and why Japanese have both adhered to tradition and been open to novel religious ideas and practices. (Seniors by waiver) 3 hrs. lect./disc.