Religion and Modern Japan Tohoku University G. Clinton GODART Spring Semester, 2019 Email: [email protected] Course description: This seminar explores the roles of religion in modern Japanese history. We will look at critical problems and themes in the history of religion, such as, how did the Japanese religious landscape change through modernization? What are the relations and tensions between religion and the modern state, nationalism, and war? What is secularization? We will explore religion in modern Japan through two aenues: first, gaining a broad overview of religious change in Japanese history, and second, by exploring the case of Nichirenism, a modern variant of Nichiren Buddhism. Also, students will have room to explore a topic of their own and present this in class. Course Goals: 1. Acquire some basic “religious literacy” of religion in Japan: be able to explain what “religion” is in Japan and how it works to a non-expert. 2. Understand how religion has influenced and shaped modern Japanese history & how religion in Japan today has been formed by historical changes & be able to connect these with global phenomena of religious change. 3. Acquire skills by learning how to conduct a small research project, including fact finding, organization, interpretation, writing, and oral presentation of your findings. !1 Weekly Overview: • April 11: Course orientation • April 18: Introductory session: Mapping Religion in Japan & Questions for Religion and Modernity in Japan and the World • April 25: Introduction to Buddhism (1) • (May 2: Holiday) • May 9: Introduction to Buddhism (2) • May 16: The Lotus Sutra • May 23: Nichiren & Rissho Ankoku Ron • May 30: Early Modern Japan / the Emergence of Modern Shinto/ Kannon • June 6: Buddhism in Modern Japan • June 13: Nichirenism (1) • June 20: Nichirenism (2): Miyazawa Kenji • June 27: Nichirenism (3): Ishiwara Kanji • July 5: = Prepare projects - No class meeting = • July 12): Project Presentations • July 19: Project Presentations • July 26: Project Presentations Student tasks: • Prepare Weekly readings. ✴ Readings will be provided on the course website: ๏ http://web.tohoku.ac.jp/modern-japan/rs-godart/ [pw: “miyazawa”] • Every week, prepare two questions or important points relating to the texts. Bring these to class. Take actively part in class discussions • Student projects: Conduct a small research project on your own (or in a group of 2 students). The topic should be related to religion in Japan, and should be approved by the instructor. Send a topic title and proposal via email by May 7. • “Sendai religion:” visit and research one religious site in Sendai and introduce this in class. • Present the topic in class Assessment: Participation: 25% Presentation Sendai Religion: 15% Project presentation: 30% Final take-home examination essay: 30% !2.