Centre for the Study of Japanese Religions

Seminars and Fora 2009-2010

School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)

Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square
London WC1H 0XG

Room B104 (Brunei Gallery, first floor)

Thursday, 13 May, 5:00-6:30 pm

How Did the Japanese Image Their Gods?

Professor Tadashi Mitsuhashi (Meisei University – CSJR visiting scholar)

The ways in which different cultures have imaged their god or gods may differ greatly. It is generally understood that Japan has many gods and that their stories constitute the main portion of the country’s myths.  However, most Japanese people do not know the name of their gods, not even of those who are installed in the shrines they regularly worship at.  We may then wonder what was the original image of the gods in Japan, beside their representations in mythological literature.

Unlike other cultures, Japanese count their gods, employing a counter (hashira), which means pillar, post or pole, like in the expression ‘[the ]three pillars of the gods’.  This paper explores the way in which Japanese imagined their gods by analysing the use of these terms, and by investigating ancient rites which involved the use of a pillar.

Professor Mitsuhashi teaches Japanese Religious Culture in the Department of Japanese and Comparative Culture at Meisei University (Tokyo). He is a visiting scholar at SOAS until March 2011.

Since this is the last CSJR seminar for this academic year, SOAS are delighted to have Professor Tadashi Mitsuhashi, their visiting scholar for next year, to conclude the current series.

ALL WELCOME (PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SEMINAR WILL BE HELD IN ROOM B104 (Brunei Gallery, first floor)

For the complete programme please visit: http://www.soas.ac.uk/csjr/events/

For further information please contact:  Tullio Lobetti – Assistant to the CSJR chair