Introducing Japanese Religion

by Robert S. Ellwood

Introducing Japanese Religion is the ideal resource for students who are beginning their studies in the religious traditions of Japan. It offers a living picture of traditional and contemporary Japanese culture, and a rich understanding of the history and practice of religions in Japan. Robert Ellwood explores the religious heritage of this fascinating country, from the dawn of spirituality to the present day. He gives special attention to the traditions of Shinto, the different forms of Buddhism in Japan, including Shingon and Tendai, and Confucianism. He also explores Japanese New Religious Movements, including Aum Shrinrikyo. Each religion is clearly described in terms of its history, practice, sociology and organization, and Ellwood emphasizes how in practice Japanese religion interacts and intermingles. Finally, Ellwood discusses the influence of Japan on popular culture, including discussion of animé, and the transmission of

Genres: Religion, Japan, Nonfiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published December 19, 2007

About the author

Robert S. Ellwood is an American academic, author and expert on world religions.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_...

Reviews

[Mindy McAdams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this second edition (2016) in the university library. It's definitely intended as a textbook, and while sometimes that's a negative, in this case it's a refreshing positive. Ellwood was a professor of world religions at USC and clearly has deep expertise in Japan and its religious beliefs and practices. He has written this for people with little or no knowledge of Japan, but he hasn't tried to make it a comprehensive history of Japan. It's compact and very engaging; it doesn't oversimplify, and it doesn't address the reader like a child. It was exactly what I was looking for!

I came to it with an interest in learning about Japan's religions because I wanted to visit the country, and visiting Japan means visiting a lot of historic temples, both Shinto and Buddhist. Ellwood expects the reader to be interested in the culture, history and belief systems of the religions practiced in Japan, as well as their present-day significance. He addresses particularly the idea of Japan as a non-religious country, even a country with no religion, in spite of the proliferation of still-active temples and shrines. I came away feeling that I understand how these seeming contradictions are not contradictions at all to the Japanese people of today.

It would be possible to use this book in an undergraduate course, but maybe with an introductory comparative religion course as a prerequisite.

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly what I wanted, but more or less what it says on the tin, so I don't know what I expected. I found the sections on Buddhism more difficult to understand (maybe just because there are so many different schools) compared to the chapter on Shinto. Could have been a Needed a Different Editor issue or just me not getting it. It's definitely a text book and maybe I'd have gotten more out of it in a classroom setting or with other religious studies resources.

Appreciated the discussion of the ways religion has influenced Japanese history and vice/versa.

Still don't know if I'm much closer to being able to appreciate the shrines/temples/country as a whole next month (!!!), which was my goal in reading it, though.

[Lukas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely put together and in a simple writing style making for a comfortable read.

[Taylor Swift Scholar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this is definitely a textbook. But I did learn a lot about Japanese Religion! I suspect I will refer back to this while I read primary texts.

[Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does exactly what it sets out to do - introduce the reader to Japanese religions and religious thought. It starts with a brief overview, then moves right into Shinto, detailing the basic beliefs and different kinds of shrines. A little interlude on Buddhism follows, then a historical look at the major Buddhist schools in Japan in a chronological fashion. Then it talks about how religion changed during the Shogunate and Meiji Restoration periods, a chapter on the "New Religions", and finally culminates in a chapter that discusses the religions and beliefs today in modern Japan. As usual with Routledge's World Religions series, each chapter contains several other books for further reading on a subject of interest, grouped by chapter. This book is a highly recommended for anyone who wants to get a glimpse into Japanese religions past and present, or as a reference for certain sects of Japanese religions (Such as Nichiren Buddhism), which can then be followed up with the given books.