RLB354 Religions of Japan in a Historical Perspective

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2013
Extent and Intensity
1/1. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Bc. Mgr. Jakub Havlíček, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. David Václavík, Ph.D.
Department for the Study of Religions – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Lucie Čelková
Supplier department: Department for the Study of Religions – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
each even Thursday 7:30–9:05 zruseno D22
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 40 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/40, only registered: 0/40
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course aims to develop the understanding of religious traditions in Japan. It offers the introduction to the selected topics in religious traditions of Japan.
At the end of the course students will be able to
define the main characteristics of religious traditions in Japan;
locate the main characteristics of religious traditions in Japan to the broader social, social and historical context;
interpret religious traditions of Japan according to theoretical and methodological approaches of the Study of religions;
distinguish the principal stages in historical development of religious traditions in Japan;
formulate the cardinal principles of „lived religion“ or practical religious life in history and present times.
Syllabus
  • 1) Classifying religion in Japan;
  • 2) Interpreting myths in Japanese religious traditions;
  • 3) Women in Japanese religious traditions;
  • 4) Rituals in shugendo and in buddhism;
  • 5) Confucianism in Japan;
  • 6) Sacred places and religious festivals;
  • 7) Religion and secular power in Japan;
  • 8) New religions in Japan;
  • 9) Shamans, divinators, exorcists in Japanese religions;
  • 10) Ascetic practices in Japanese religions;
  • 11) Death, afterlife, ancestor worship;
  • 12) "Christianity made in Japan";
  • 13) Summary, final discussion, presentations of final essays.
Literature
  • BREEN, John and M. J. TEEUWEN. A new history of Shinto. 1st pub. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010, x, 264. ISBN 9781405155168. info
  • Making pilgrimages : meaning and practice in Shikoku. Edited by Ian Reader. Pbk. ed. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, 2006, xiv, 350. ISBN 0824828763. info
  • BOWRING, Richard John. The religious traditions of Japan, 500-1600. 1st pub. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005, xvi, 485. ISBN 052185119X. info
  • Religious violence in contemporary Japan : the case of Aum Shinrikyō. Edited by Ian Reader. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, 2000, xvi, 304. ISBN 0824823400. URL info
  • BLACKER, Carmen. The catalpa bow : a study of Shamanistic practices in Japan. London: Routledge, 1999, 384 s. ISBN 1873410859. info
  • MULLINS, Mark R. Christianity made in Japan : a study of indigenous movements. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, 1998, x, 277. ISBN 0824821327. info
  • TANABE, George Joji. Practically religious : worldly benefits and the common religion of Japan. Edited by Ian Reader. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, 1998, xii, 303. ISBN 0824820908. info
  • ANDREASEN, Esben and Finn STEFÁNSSON. Japanese religions : past and present. Edited by Ian Reader. Repr. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1995, 189 s. ISBN 0824815467. info
  • READER, Ian. Religion in contemporary Japan. 1st publ. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Macmillan, 1991, xv, 277 s. ISBN 0-333-52322-9. info
Teaching methods
Lecture, study projection with commentary, discussion.
Assessment methods
Final written test (70% in minimum), final essay, class participation.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught once in two years.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2012.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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