Are the Japanese religious?: A post-structuralist approach to the study of religiosity in Japan

This thesis explores the complex issues surrounding the study of religion as a universal concept, with a particular focus on potential Eurocentric biases and epistemological violence. Central to this exploration is whether religion, a term deeply rooted in Abrahamic monotheistic traditions, can be meaningfully applied across different cultural contexts for comparative studies. To address this question, the thesis begins with a theoretical discussion on studying "the Other," including concepts like epistemological violence, dominant paradigms, and ethnocentric methodologies, which shape the author’s approach. The thesis then delves into the historical origins of the concept of religion, both broadly and specifically within the context of Japan. The unique historical and socio-political developments in Japan provide insight into how the concept of religion has been shaped by modernization, international relations, and ideological conflicts. This discussion informs the subsequent...Show moreThis thesis explores the complex issues surrounding the study of religion as a universal concept, with a particular focus on potential Eurocentric biases and epistemological violence. Central to this exploration is whether religion, a term deeply rooted in Abrahamic monotheistic traditions, can be meaningfully applied across different cultural contexts for comparative studies. To address this question, the thesis begins with a theoretical discussion on studying "the Other," including concepts like epistemological violence, dominant paradigms, and ethnocentric methodologies, which shape the author’s approach. The thesis then delves into the historical origins of the concept of religion, both broadly and specifically within the context of Japan. The unique historical and socio-political developments in Japan provide insight into how the concept of religion has been shaped by modernization, international relations, and ideological conflicts. This discussion informs the subsequent analysis of the disciplinary debates within the comparative study of religion, again focusing on broader issues before narrowing down to Japan-specific debates. The study emphasizes the interconnectedness of the diachrony of religion with disciplinary shifts and contemporary scholarly approaches. Through textual and discourse analysis, the thesis investigates the perspectives of scholars who study religion in Japan. While recognizing the limitations of relying solely on published works, the thesis argues that the analysis of published texts offers valuable insights into the ongoing debates and the scholars' engagement with the concept of religion within the academic field.Show less

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Are the Japanese religious? A post-structuralist approach to the study of religiosity in Japan