The Origin of Modern Shinto in Japan: The Vanquished Gods of Izumo (Bloomsbury Shinto Studies)

Yijiang Zhong analyses the formation of Shinto as a complex and diverse religious tradition in early modern and Meiji Japan, 1600-1868. Highlighting the role of the god Okuninushi and the mythology centered on the Izumo Shrine in western Japan as part of this process, he shows how and why this god came to be ignored in State Shinto in the modern period. In doing so, Zhong moves away from the traditional understanding of Shinto history as something completely internal to the nation of Japan, and instead situates the formation of Shinto within a larger geopolitical context involving intellectual and political developments in the East Asian region and the role of western colonial expansion. The Origin of Modern Shinto in Japan draws extensively on primary source materials in Japan, many of which were only made available to the public less than a decade ago and have not yet been studied. Source materials analysed include shrine records and object materials, contemporary written texts, official materials from the national and provincial levels, and a broad range of visual sources based on contemporary prints, drawings, photographs and material culture. Yijiang Zhong Analyses The Formation Of Shinto As A Complex And Diverse Religious Tradition In Early Modern Japan, 1600-1868. Highlighting The Role Of The God Okuninushi And The Mythology Centered On The Izumo Shrine In Western Japan As Part Of This Process, He Shows How And Why This God Came To Be Ignored In State Shinto In The Modern Period. In Doing So, Zhong Moves Away From The Traditional Understanding Of Shinto History As Something Completely Internal To The Nation Of Japan, And Instead Situates The Formation Of Shinto Within A Larger Geopolitical Context Involving Intellectual And Political Developments In The East Asian Region And The Role Of Western Colonial Expansion. The Origin Of Modern Shinto In Japan Draws Extensively On Primary Source Materials In Japan, Many Of Which Were Only Made Available To The Public Less Than A Decade Ago And Have Not Yet Been Studied. Source Materials Analysed Include Shrine Records And Object Materials, Contemporary Written Texts, Official Materials From The National And Provincial Levels, And A Broad Range Of Visual Sources Based On Contemporary Prints, Drawings, Photographs And Material Culture-- Machine Generated Contents Note: -- List Of Figures -- Acknowledgements -- Note On Text/translation -- Introduction -- 1: Resurrecting The Great Lord Of The Land -- 2: The Month Without The Gods -- 3: True Pillar Of The Soul -- 4: Converting Japan -- 5: Competing Ways Of The Gods -- Conclusion -- Notes -- Bibliography. Yijiang Zhong. Outgrowth Of The Author's Thesis (doctoral--university Of Chicago, 2011) Under The Title: Gods Without Names : The Genesis Of Modern Shinto In Nineteenth Century Japan. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "Yijiang Zhong analyses the formation of Shinto as a complex and diverse religious tradition in early modern Japan, 1600-1868. Highlighting the role of the god Okuninushi and the mythology centered on the Izumo Shrine in western Japan as part of this process, he shows how and why this god came to be ignored in State Shinto in the modern period. In doing so, Zhong moves away from the traditional understanding of Shinto history as something completely internal to the nation of Japan, and instead situates the formation of Shinto within a larger geopolitical context involving intellectual and political developments in the East Asian region and the role of western colonial expansion. The Origin of Modern Shinto in Japan draws extensively on primary source materials in Japan, many of which were only made available to the public less than a decade ago and have not yet been studied. Source materials analysed include shrine records and object materials, contemporary written texts, official materials from the national and provincial levels, and a broad range of visual sources based on contemporary prints, drawings, photographs and material culture."--Bloomsbury Publishing. "Yijiang Zhong analyses the formation of Shinto as a complex and diverse religious tradition in early modern Japan, 1600-1868. Highlighting the role of the god Okuninushi and the mythology centered on the Izumo Shrine in western Japan as part of this process, he shows how and why this god came to be ignored in State Shinto in the modern period. In doing so, Zhong moves away from the traditional understanding of Shinto history as something completely internal to the nation of Japan, and instead situates the formation of Shinto within a larger geopolitical context involving intellectual and political developments in the East Asian region and the role of western colonial expansion. The Origin of Modern Shinto in Japan draws extensively on primary source materials in Japan, many of which were only made available to the public less than a decade ago and have not yet been studied. Source materials analysed include shrine records and object materials, contemporary written texts, official materials from the national and provincial levels, and a broad range of visual sources based on contemporary prints, drawings, photographs and material culture"-- Provided by publisher Cover 1 Half-title 3 Title 5 Copyright 6 Dedication 7 Contents 9 List of Figures 10 Acknowledgments 12 Note on Text/Translation 14 Introduction 15 1. Resurrecting the Great Lord of the Land, 1653–1667 31 2. The Month without the Gods, 1600–1871 63 3. True Pillar of the Soul, 1792–1846 103 4. Converting Japan, 1825–1875 145 5. Competing Ways of the Gods, 1872–1889 177 Conclusion The Izumo Gods, Nation, and Empire 215 Notes 229 Bibliography 259 Index 269