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Japanese Culture: The Religious and Philosophical Foundations
Japanese The Religious and Philosophical Foundations takes readers on a detailed and thoroughly researched journey through Japan's cultural history.This much-anticipated sequel to Roger Davies's best-selling The Japanese Mind provides a comprehensive overview of the religion and philosophy of Japan. This cultural history of Japan explains the diverse cultural traditions that underlie modern Japan and offers readers deep insights into Japanese manners and etiquette. Davies begins with an investigation of the origins of the Japanese, followed by an analysis of the most important approaches used by scholars to describe the essential elements of Japanese culture. From there, each chapter focuses on one of the formative Shintoism, Buddhism, Taoism, Zen, Confucianism, and Western influences in the modern era.Davies concludes each chapter with extensive endnotes along with thought-provoking discussion activities, making this volume ideal for individual readers and for classroom instruction. Anyone interested in pursuing a deeper understanding of this complex and fascinating nation will find Davies's work an invaluable resource.
171 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 9, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
December 4, 2017
This book evolved out of classes that Davies taught at a number of Japanese universities and that were designed to guide international MBA students to an understanding of ‘the multiple layers of religious and philosophical belief that underlie life in modern-day Japan’.
The first two chapters deal with the origins of the Japanese people, and a brief survey of approaches to Japanese cultural history. It’s not easy to pick the time at which Davies actually wrote it, because although the book was published as recently as 2016, the main sources cited throughout are Sansom Japan a Short Cultural History and ReischauerThe Japanese Today: Change and Continuity, Enlarged Edition , the most recent of whose major works date from the 1970s and the 1990s respectively.
Then follow six chapters, one on each of Japan’s five main religions: Shinto, Buddhism, Taoism, Zen, and Confucianism, with the final chapter briefly touching on western influences in the Modern Era.
The material in each chapter is very interesting, but also very slightly presented. I would have welcomed a deeper level of discussion and more engagement with the questions (perhaps designed as tutorial discussion questions) at the end of each short chapter, and a directed reading guide to address them.
The cultures is complex because it has grown out of interactions between the indigenous animist Shinto and the more philosophical Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism, all of which found their way to Japan via China, but have evolved into distinctly Japanese forms, and all of these belief systems have been profoundly affected by modern Western influences. Newer traditions are superimposed on older ones, says Davies, and ‘the whole blended and modified to fit native Japanese tastes, preferences, and attitudes’ (p35).
We spent three weeks in Japan in September, and of all the cultures with which I have come in contact, the Japanese is the most difficult for me to comprehend, even more than Indigenous Australian cultures which are vastly different from ours, but more familiar to me.
I will need to read more to understand more the connections between these religious and philosophical beliefs and modern Japanese society.
The first two chapters deal with the origins of the Japanese people, and a brief survey of approaches to Japanese cultural history. It’s not easy to pick the time at which Davies actually wrote it, because although the book was published as recently as 2016, the main sources cited throughout are Sansom Japan a Short Cultural History and ReischauerThe Japanese Today: Change and Continuity, Enlarged Edition , the most recent of whose major works date from the 1970s and the 1990s respectively.
Then follow six chapters, one on each of Japan’s five main religions: Shinto, Buddhism, Taoism, Zen, and Confucianism, with the final chapter briefly touching on western influences in the Modern Era.
The material in each chapter is very interesting, but also very slightly presented. I would have welcomed a deeper level of discussion and more engagement with the questions (perhaps designed as tutorial discussion questions) at the end of each short chapter, and a directed reading guide to address them.
The cultures is complex because it has grown out of interactions between the indigenous animist Shinto and the more philosophical Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism, all of which found their way to Japan via China, but have evolved into distinctly Japanese forms, and all of these belief systems have been profoundly affected by modern Western influences. Newer traditions are superimposed on older ones, says Davies, and ‘the whole blended and modified to fit native Japanese tastes, preferences, and attitudes’ (p35).
We spent three weeks in Japan in September, and of all the cultures with which I have come in contact, the Japanese is the most difficult for me to comprehend, even more than Indigenous Australian cultures which are vastly different from ours, but more familiar to me.
I will need to read more to understand more the connections between these religious and philosophical beliefs and modern Japanese society.
November 24, 2017
This was a good intro to the religious undercurrents of Japanese culture. Overall, very helpful to my curious mind. This did lose a star, though, for editing reasons. This is an intro book to a general topic. I don't understand why the publisher included in-line citations. These are only useful in monographs, MAYBE. The so-called notes at the end of each chapter would have served the reader much better at the bottom of each page that they referenced. Whatever decisions the publisher made about this were shitty. In fact, it bothered me so much that I ranted to my wife about these silly citation conventions while she was trying to sleep one night. The point of academic writing is to teach the reader about a topic. All those citations just get in the way of the learning process. Unless you are releasing a text to an academic only community, YOU DON'T NEED THAT SHIT.
July 29, 2022
Overview:
Japan’s geographical isolation inhibited development. Although various ancient migrations made Japan a diverse place, claims would later describe them as a homogenous people. Chinese influence propelled Japanese development. Influence which was persistent, increasing, and overwhelming. Japanese tribes began to forge a centralized state in response to military threats. Power was concentrated within the military upper class.
Various religions co-existed in Japanese history, although they remained separate and distinct systems. In practice, individuals merged or combined the beliefs. But even while holding multiple religious practices, they would not confuse their ideological associations. Major cultural eras started with Shinto, then Buddhism, Taoism, Zen, Confucianism, and finally Western ideas. Japanese culture, as every culture, is influenced by the past. A heritage that is reflected in the social and political institutions, and value systems. Creating different manifestations of culture over time, with distinct behavioral patterns and sets of belief.
The influence of history is complex, for what is written down might not be what actually happened. History is set down from different perspectives, and with a variety of interpretations. Japanese culture is unique, like all cultures are unique. Each culture has similar features, but they are combined in unique ways.
Japanese Origin:
Geographically isolated meant that Japan could not obtain alternative ways of development. Japanese life was rudimentary compared to China which was a highly developed civilization. Within a relatively short time after entering the Bronze Age, Chinese influence propelled Japan into the Iron Age. China was a major influence on Japan starting from the 1st century B.C.E.
Japanese people are a composition of various waves of ancient migrations. Those coming to Japan were fleeing problems from mainland Asia such as hunger, and fear. Others desired change. Primary migrants are thought to be Mongol tribes, coming through Korea. Earliest Japanese religion of Shinto, was heavily influenced by Mongol peoples. The migrants displaced Japanese archipelago original inhabitants, the Ainu. During the waves of migration, there was racial and ethnic blending and fusion. After the 8th century B.C.E., there was no new blood. Even though the Japanese came from diverse groups, they began to consider themselves as racially distinct and ‘pure’ group.
Records of earliest Japanese life comes from Chinese Han Dynasty of the 3rd century B.C.E. During that time, Japan had sharp class distinctions. Primarily an agricultural and fishing economy. Many tribal units. During the 3rd century, the military upper class appears to have concentrated wealth and power, in response to Korean mounted invaders. State formation in Japan began during the Kofun era, of 250-646 B.C.E.
Shinto:
Shinto forms the undercurrent of the religious and philosophical belief systems in Japan. Shinto means “The Way of the Gods”. Shinto is less about leading a moral or ethical life, but practical concerns of such obtaining food, curing illness, and avoiding dangers.
Within Shinto, every object harbors a spirit, making the object in some way living. Human and nature are not divided. They are not distinct or apart.
Purification rites were needed in daily life. Purification for the physical and spiritual. Ritual was meant to obtain a pure state of mind, to make contact with kami and accept kami’s blessing. Purification was also meant to avoid taboos, such as sources of uncleanness.
Buddhism:
Buddhism seeks a midway between hedonism and asceticism. Buddhism is very adaptable to the cultural traditions that already exist in a region. The arrival of Buddhism was not seen as an extension of Chinese power, but of Buddhism’s progress.
Taoism:
Taoism, along with Confucianism, are the main religious and philosophical traditions of China. Law of Tao is a regression to the starting point. Extreme qualities become reversed into their opposite. Continuous adjustment to the situation. What matters is the interaction between the factors involved. A focus on ultimate unity of humans and cosmos.
Zen:
Zen is a synthesis of Taoism and Buddhism, called Ch’an in China. Zen incorporates Japanese traditions into Ch’an Buddhism. It means meditation. Unlike Buddhism, guidance and instruction are important. Zen has Masters which train others. Training provides the student with focused practice. Instruction from a Master awakens the Buddha-nature in everyone.
A philosophy that disdains study, and metaphysics. Flashes of intuition arise from meditation.
Confucianism:
Confucianism focuses on human society. Social order based on strict ethical rules. The social responsibility of societies members. Defining what appropriate relationships and behaviors were allowed I the society. Government of facility and state to me done by educated people of superior wisdom.
Western Influences:
Japan purposely isolated itself from the world early 17th century. For the next two centuries, Japan became culturally homogenous. Developing a national identity. During this Edo period, there were four strict classes of warriors, peasants, artisans, and merchants. Samurai became literate, as did other classes. Samurai changed their activity to writing with brush, and away from using the sword. Isolation is usually associated with cultural stagnation, but the peace and economic stability brought with it a cultural explosion.
Being forced to open, Japan modernized government based on the West. To acquire technical and bureaucratic skills, Japan sent students to Western schools while hiring Western experts.
Caveats?
It takes more than an understanding of culture to understand a peoples. Lack of history and politics limits an understanding of Japanese people. The transitions between philosophies and religions appear not to be disrupting. Some practices influenced by the culture are described, but not in their diverse applications. What this book does is provide the undercurrent understanding of the Japanese, but more information will be needed to apply the concepts appropriately.
Japan’s geographical isolation inhibited development. Although various ancient migrations made Japan a diverse place, claims would later describe them as a homogenous people. Chinese influence propelled Japanese development. Influence which was persistent, increasing, and overwhelming. Japanese tribes began to forge a centralized state in response to military threats. Power was concentrated within the military upper class.
Various religions co-existed in Japanese history, although they remained separate and distinct systems. In practice, individuals merged or combined the beliefs. But even while holding multiple religious practices, they would not confuse their ideological associations. Major cultural eras started with Shinto, then Buddhism, Taoism, Zen, Confucianism, and finally Western ideas. Japanese culture, as every culture, is influenced by the past. A heritage that is reflected in the social and political institutions, and value systems. Creating different manifestations of culture over time, with distinct behavioral patterns and sets of belief.
The influence of history is complex, for what is written down might not be what actually happened. History is set down from different perspectives, and with a variety of interpretations. Japanese culture is unique, like all cultures are unique. Each culture has similar features, but they are combined in unique ways.
Japanese Origin:
Geographically isolated meant that Japan could not obtain alternative ways of development. Japanese life was rudimentary compared to China which was a highly developed civilization. Within a relatively short time after entering the Bronze Age, Chinese influence propelled Japan into the Iron Age. China was a major influence on Japan starting from the 1st century B.C.E.
Japanese people are a composition of various waves of ancient migrations. Those coming to Japan were fleeing problems from mainland Asia such as hunger, and fear. Others desired change. Primary migrants are thought to be Mongol tribes, coming through Korea. Earliest Japanese religion of Shinto, was heavily influenced by Mongol peoples. The migrants displaced Japanese archipelago original inhabitants, the Ainu. During the waves of migration, there was racial and ethnic blending and fusion. After the 8th century B.C.E., there was no new blood. Even though the Japanese came from diverse groups, they began to consider themselves as racially distinct and ‘pure’ group.
Records of earliest Japanese life comes from Chinese Han Dynasty of the 3rd century B.C.E. During that time, Japan had sharp class distinctions. Primarily an agricultural and fishing economy. Many tribal units. During the 3rd century, the military upper class appears to have concentrated wealth and power, in response to Korean mounted invaders. State formation in Japan began during the Kofun era, of 250-646 B.C.E.
Shinto:
Shinto forms the undercurrent of the religious and philosophical belief systems in Japan. Shinto means “The Way of the Gods”. Shinto is less about leading a moral or ethical life, but practical concerns of such obtaining food, curing illness, and avoiding dangers.
Within Shinto, every object harbors a spirit, making the object in some way living. Human and nature are not divided. They are not distinct or apart.
Purification rites were needed in daily life. Purification for the physical and spiritual. Ritual was meant to obtain a pure state of mind, to make contact with kami and accept kami’s blessing. Purification was also meant to avoid taboos, such as sources of uncleanness.
Buddhism:
Buddhism seeks a midway between hedonism and asceticism. Buddhism is very adaptable to the cultural traditions that already exist in a region. The arrival of Buddhism was not seen as an extension of Chinese power, but of Buddhism’s progress.
Taoism:
Taoism, along with Confucianism, are the main religious and philosophical traditions of China. Law of Tao is a regression to the starting point. Extreme qualities become reversed into their opposite. Continuous adjustment to the situation. What matters is the interaction between the factors involved. A focus on ultimate unity of humans and cosmos.
Zen:
Zen is a synthesis of Taoism and Buddhism, called Ch’an in China. Zen incorporates Japanese traditions into Ch’an Buddhism. It means meditation. Unlike Buddhism, guidance and instruction are important. Zen has Masters which train others. Training provides the student with focused practice. Instruction from a Master awakens the Buddha-nature in everyone.
A philosophy that disdains study, and metaphysics. Flashes of intuition arise from meditation.
Confucianism:
Confucianism focuses on human society. Social order based on strict ethical rules. The social responsibility of societies members. Defining what appropriate relationships and behaviors were allowed I the society. Government of facility and state to me done by educated people of superior wisdom.
Western Influences:
Japan purposely isolated itself from the world early 17th century. For the next two centuries, Japan became culturally homogenous. Developing a national identity. During this Edo period, there were four strict classes of warriors, peasants, artisans, and merchants. Samurai became literate, as did other classes. Samurai changed their activity to writing with brush, and away from using the sword. Isolation is usually associated with cultural stagnation, but the peace and economic stability brought with it a cultural explosion.
Being forced to open, Japan modernized government based on the West. To acquire technical and bureaucratic skills, Japan sent students to Western schools while hiring Western experts.
Caveats?
It takes more than an understanding of culture to understand a peoples. Lack of history and politics limits an understanding of Japanese people. The transitions between philosophies and religions appear not to be disrupting. Some practices influenced by the culture are described, but not in their diverse applications. What this book does is provide the undercurrent understanding of the Japanese, but more information will be needed to apply the concepts appropriately.
January 4, 2020
Una breve introducción a los cimientos religiosos de Japón. Interesante, pero demasiado breve y demasiado escueto en algunas partes.
March 20, 2023
3,5 stars
January 26, 2019
Very useful for novices. However, it could've been more thorough in some aspects.
September 30, 2020
Not great. For reasons previously extrapolated on by other reviewers: gross citations, strangely old references, and weirdly introductory.
It's especially not great when you get to the 'to modern day' comparisons. As a person who has now lived in Japan a year, I can tell you a lot of this is conjecture. Even if it is applicable to Tokyo specifically, it's not necessarily for other prefectures (states).
I will say that the drivel at the end about the food has really stuck with me. Don't believe it, they use a lot of garlic and sauces are a huge component (offered as condiments) at every restaurant--they're huge about food power of choice. So no, I don't think this text is particularly solid in application.
It's especially not great when you get to the 'to modern day' comparisons. As a person who has now lived in Japan a year, I can tell you a lot of this is conjecture. Even if it is applicable to Tokyo specifically, it's not necessarily for other prefectures (states).
I will say that the drivel at the end about the food has really stuck with me. Don't believe it, they use a lot of garlic and sauces are a huge component (offered as condiments) at every restaurant--they're huge about food power of choice. So no, I don't think this text is particularly solid in application.
January 31, 2021
This book was short and to the point. A great examination of major cultural, religious, and philosophical undercurrents of contemporary Japan. It was interesting to consider the effects of geography, language, trade, and cultural adoption/re-imagination that have occurred in the course of this nation. I like the author’s “layer” approach and his treatment of the different influences. The questions for discussion at the end of chapters are also helpful and enjoyable.
November 18, 2020
This was an academic text with brief overviews into religion and philosophy that influenced modern Japanese culture. I wish this book was twice the size and went into more detail and nuance. It was a good text to set me up before reading more specifics about each religion.
December 6, 2021
Very much a textbook and rather plain vanilla but does give what seems to be a very clear and comprehensive summary. It is particularly informative on Shintoism.
November 25, 2020
Fondasi filosofi orang Jepang sudah terpatri sejak masuknya agama di negara ini. Mulai dari Shinto hingga Confusianism. Karena nenek moyang yang mempelajari agama Shinto dengan dalam, orang Jepang secara tidak sadar percaya bahwa mereka tidak menyukai hal yang kotor (Yogore dan Kegare). Namun, pada jaman modern ini, mereka hanya berdoa ketika mereka kesulitan (kurushii toki no kamidanomi). Melalui agama Tao atau Zen, orang Jepang mementingkan hal yang simple, natural, harmoni, dan presisi. Hingga Confusianism yang menjadi budaya orang Jepang saat ini, seperti kepercayaan pada dasar moral pemerintahan, penekanan pada hubungan dan kesetiaan interpersonal, dan keyakinan pada pendidikan dan kerja keras. Namun, orang Jepang jaman sekarang banyak yang tidak mengakui bahwa mereka memegang suatu kepercayaan atau agama walau tetap mencampurkan unsur agama dalam kehidupan mereka.
Melalui buku ini, saya baru belajar bahwa Indonesia juga memberikan pengaruh terhadap ras yang terdapat di Jepang.
"There are even proto-Malay traces in the Japanese racial make-up probably due to migrations along the Kuroshio (the Black Current) from Indonesia, Malaysia, and even Polynesia (Sansom, 1976, p. 6; Reishauer, 1988, p. 34)."
Mungkin buku ini lebih cocok untuk mahasiswa yang ingin secara lebih dalam mempelajari tentang agama dan budaya Jepang dibandingkan pembaca umum seperti saya. Ketika membacanya, sama seperti merasa di awang-awang. Walaupun penulis mengatakan bahwa agama dan filosofi merupakan sesuatu yang abstrak, tetap saja melalui buku ini saya tidak dapat mengerti secara dalam mengenai agama maupun filosofinya. Penulis seperti menyatakan di dalam buku ini, tapi tidak menjelaskan secara dalam. Saya tidak merekomendasikan buku ini kepada yang baru mempelajari tentang Jepang. Lebih baik kepada orang yang sudah punya gambaran jelas tentang agama dan filosofi Jepang itu sendiri.
Melalui buku ini, saya baru belajar bahwa Indonesia juga memberikan pengaruh terhadap ras yang terdapat di Jepang.
"There are even proto-Malay traces in the Japanese racial make-up probably due to migrations along the Kuroshio (the Black Current) from Indonesia, Malaysia, and even Polynesia (Sansom, 1976, p. 6; Reishauer, 1988, p. 34)."
Mungkin buku ini lebih cocok untuk mahasiswa yang ingin secara lebih dalam mempelajari tentang agama dan budaya Jepang dibandingkan pembaca umum seperti saya. Ketika membacanya, sama seperti merasa di awang-awang. Walaupun penulis mengatakan bahwa agama dan filosofi merupakan sesuatu yang abstrak, tetap saja melalui buku ini saya tidak dapat mengerti secara dalam mengenai agama maupun filosofinya. Penulis seperti menyatakan di dalam buku ini, tapi tidak menjelaskan secara dalam. Saya tidak merekomendasikan buku ini kepada yang baru mempelajari tentang Jepang. Lebih baik kepada orang yang sudah punya gambaran jelas tentang agama dan filosofi Jepang itu sendiri.
October 23, 2021
This is the same author of "The Japanese Mind"
.
He has taught at Japanese universities and has lived in the country.
Pro
- it's a very compact work, a little over 100 pages.
- the book stems from the university classes the author taught. It is simple, clear and to the point.
- notes and discussion tips are not dry as it is often the case. On the contrary, they are interesting.
- the author has not contracted that particularly nasty virus called ethnocentricity. His judgements appear unbiased.
- the book is clear and well organised.
- printing quality is good, making the read a nice experience.
Contra
- the book is compact... that is short. Topics of interest will need further research and other essays.
- like all compact books, there is little to help memorisation. To retain the concepts you will need to study the book because reading it will not be enough.
- the author is a supporter of the "Axial Age" by philopher Karl Jaspers. The thing itself is not pervasive and it does not spoil the exposition, but it feels unnecessary.
Conclusion
Is it worth buying?
- if you are just looking for a summary, definitely.
- if you want to dive deeper into the topics, no. Unless you just use this as an introduction and you are ready to do some further reading.
.He has taught at Japanese universities and has lived in the country.
Pro
- it's a very compact work, a little over 100 pages.
- the book stems from the university classes the author taught. It is simple, clear and to the point.
- notes and discussion tips are not dry as it is often the case. On the contrary, they are interesting.
- the author has not contracted that particularly nasty virus called ethnocentricity. His judgements appear unbiased.
- the book is clear and well organised.
- printing quality is good, making the read a nice experience.
Contra
- the book is compact... that is short. Topics of interest will need further research and other essays.
- like all compact books, there is little to help memorisation. To retain the concepts you will need to study the book because reading it will not be enough.
- the author is a supporter of the "Axial Age" by philopher Karl Jaspers. The thing itself is not pervasive and it does not spoil the exposition, but it feels unnecessary.
Conclusion
Is it worth buying?
- if you are just looking for a summary, definitely.
- if you want to dive deeper into the topics, no. Unless you just use this as an introduction and you are ready to do some further reading.
August 10, 2020
This book by no means constitutes an in-depth study into Japanese culture. The title should would also benefit from being The Religious and Philosophical Foundations of Japanese Culture. However, what this book does have is a clear framework, an engaging series of chapters about Shinto, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, modern influences and a wealth of extra material.
It also has a fine selection of pictures that relate clearly to the content at the right points. Where this book really shines, however, is at the end of the meat of the chapters. There are notes that help to summarize or add value to what was earlier discussed. Furthermore, there are discussion questions that build on the content of the chapter.
Although these discussion questions are intended to be had in a classroom setting, their very existence to a lay-reader is actually very welcomed. It shows a level of maturity that the author has towards the very complex subject of Japanese culture. Overall, like its predecessor (the Japanese Mind) I highly recommend this book.
It also has a fine selection of pictures that relate clearly to the content at the right points. Where this book really shines, however, is at the end of the meat of the chapters. There are notes that help to summarize or add value to what was earlier discussed. Furthermore, there are discussion questions that build on the content of the chapter.
Although these discussion questions are intended to be had in a classroom setting, their very existence to a lay-reader is actually very welcomed. It shows a level of maturity that the author has towards the very complex subject of Japanese culture. Overall, like its predecessor (the Japanese Mind) I highly recommend this book.
October 22, 2020
I enjoyed this book and it helped me assimilate some of what I've learned intuitively and indirectly about Japanese culture in my own learning and interaction. I'd say the most I learned about it was the transitional times during the Edo era and the Meiji era, which appeared in small sections throughout the book. The multi-layered model presented in the book also gave me a way to latch on and comprehend the culture more clearly. But, as others have written, by the author's own admission this is only an introductory overview and it might best be served as a 'weekly reading' supplemental/overview book used to teach an academic course. Indeed, after reading this book, I now wish to enroll in some sort of intercultural Japanese history course or continue in my own independent study. A reference from the Bibliography might be a good place to take the next step.
December 10, 2023
A short and succinct introduction to Japanese culture, and the main aspects that gives it its unique characteristics. The briefness of the book (it can be read in one sitting) may be a turnoff for those who may want an in-depth and more comprehensive look at this fascinating culture. The appendix is also quite lengthy and it needs to be read as many aspects covered in the actual main body is elaborated in the appendix.
Brief as the text is, it does what it sets out to do, which is to give one who is clueless about the Japanese culture, an idea of what it is.
Brief as the text is, it does what it sets out to do, which is to give one who is clueless about the Japanese culture, an idea of what it is.
October 26, 2021
I'm interested in learning more about Japanese Culture so I fave this one a try. It's definitely focused on the religious history of Japan. It contains some really good information if the religious part of the history is what you are looking for. I was looking for something more in area that dealt outside of religion as well. I'm glad I read it, but plan to keep reading others for an expanded view of the culture.
February 14, 2022
Perfecto libro de acercamiento a las religiones, pensamientos filosóficos y éticos japoneses. Ofrece pinceladas sobre la historia de Japón para contextualizar el tema tratado en cada momento, sin separarlo de otras épocas o corrientes. Es capaz de hablar de confucianismo, budismo, taoísmo, cristianismo, shintoismo e influencias occidentales como un todo cohesionado que ayuda a empezar a entender mejor Japón. Buen punto de partida para quien quiera empezar a estudiar este tema.
November 14, 2018
A useful introduction to Japanese culture, in particular beliefs. It did not give as much detailed information as I would have liked with only seventy-four pages covering outlines of Shinto, Taoism, Buddhism, Zen and Confucianism, and these include notes and 'discussion topics.
It is however a good basis for further investigation.
It is however a good basis for further investigation.
November 3, 2024
Livro curto e super didático, escrito por professores universitários que buscavam explicar q sociedade japonesa a alunos visitantes. Me ajudou bastante a entender o mix de religiões e filosofias que compõem a cultura japonesa e tem me ajudado bastante a apreciar a ainda mais a viagem pelo Japão. Super indico.
June 1, 2017
This looks to have been designed to be a read in a course on the title subject. Still, I found it to be a clear, concise explanation of the religious and philosophical foundations of Japanese culture. They are quite different from Western developments.
July 28, 2018
4 stars. Too short for my taste (I finished it within a few hours) however very easy to understand and very informative! And now I can with certainty identify a Shinto shrine ⛩and know how Shinto interacts and coexists with Buddhism!
July 11, 2024
Fast, Easy Overview
This was a surprisingly easy and quick read. As with anything like that, a lot of details were left out, but I didn't get the impression that what was there was evisserated.
This was a surprisingly easy and quick read. As with anything like that, a lot of details were left out, but I didn't get the impression that what was there was evisserated.
December 14, 2024
It’s definitely giving white Japanese Studies professor lol with tons of generic conjecture about Japanese society, and mainly cites other white researchers. Good as a very cursory overview of Japanese religious history for a 101 class but not extremely insightful beyond that purpose.
December 22, 2019
This read more like lecture notes than a book. Wouldn't read again
October 24, 2021
Nice research book with clear language and cool pictures.
February 24, 2022
This was quite an interesting read on Japan.
I particularly found the philosophical foundations of the Japanese culture very fascinating.
Would recommend if interested in Japan.
2.9/5
I particularly found the philosophical foundations of the Japanese culture very fascinating.
Would recommend if interested in Japan.
2.9/5
November 15, 2022
This book does exactly what it intended to: give a great overview of the philosophical underpinnings of Japan.
February 7, 2023
Great introduction to the topic and directions and resources for further research.
June 19, 2023
It’s ok. No problems, good summary of religion in Japan. Just basic/short.
January 3, 2024
Could have benefitted from being a collection of essays. Read more like a collection of abstracts for those essays.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews