Matsuri: The Festivals of Japan

Matsuri: The Festivals of Japan PDF Author: Herbert Plutschow
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134247052
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 304

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Book Description
Contribution to Western understanding of the nature and manifestations of Shinto through the vast galaxy of historic festivals (matsuri) that are here categorized and analysed.

Matsuri: The Festivals of Japan

Matsuri: The Festivals of Japan PDF Author: Herbert Plutschow
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134247052
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 304

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Book Description
Contribution to Western understanding of the nature and manifestations of Shinto through the vast galaxy of historic festivals (matsuri) that are here categorized and analysed.

Matsuri: The Festivals of Japan

Matsuri: The Festivals of Japan PDF Author: Herbert Plutschow
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134246986
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 312

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Book Description
Contribution to Western understanding of the nature and manifestations of Shinto through the vast galaxy of historic festivals (matsuri) that are here categorized and analysed.

The Star Festival

The Star Festival PDF Author: Moni Ritchie Hadley
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
ISBN: 080757600X
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 35

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Book Description
2021 Freeman Book Awards Honorable Mention - Children's Literature The Best Children's Books of the Year 2022, Bank Street College STARRED REVIEW! "Hadley has created a remarkable debut that flows elegantly, interweaving the two tales in a way that is readable and fun...An exquisite choice for all collections."—School Library Journal starred review A multigenerational retelling of a Japanese legend. Tanabata Matsuri, the Star Festival, celebrates a popular folktale: The Emperor of the Heavens separates his daughter, Orihime, from her love, Hikoboshi, all year—but on this day the two stars finally reunite on a bridge across the Milky Way. For Keiko, her mama, and her grandmother, Tanabata is about making tanzaku wishes, taking in the colorful decorations, and eating delicious food like nagashi somen and shaved ice. But when Obasaan gets lost in the crowd, Keiko and Mama must make their own bridge to find her again—and see if their tanzaku comes true.

Matsuri and Religion

Matsuri and Religion PDF Author:
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004466541
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 329

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Book Description
This volume examines matsuri (festivals) from both urban and rural communities in Japan, showing their interconnectedness to religious life. Based on ethnographic research, authors explore historical change, identity, affect, cultural heritage, tourism, and the intersection of religion with politics.

The Gion Festival

The Gion Festival PDF Author: Catherine Pawasarat
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780998588698
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 322

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Book Description
A must-have resource for anyone wishing to unlock the mysteries of Kyoto's 1150-year-old Gion Festival. The Gion Festival: Exploring Its Mysteries is an enriching read that allows for a deep dive into the multi-faceted aspects of Japan's most famous annual festival.

Town-Talk

Town-Talk PDF Author: Nas
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004672591
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 178

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Book Description


Tokyo Tales: A stranger in the Metropolis of 100 Villages

Tokyo Tales: A stranger in the Metropolis of 100 Villages PDF Author: Hermann Candahashi
Publisher: Hermann Candahashi
ISBN:
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 255

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Book Description
A personal word from the Author As I reflect on the pages of "Tokyo Tales: Stories of Life in Japan's Bustling Metropolis," I find myself immersed in a world of wonder, a tapestry of stories that have touched my heart and left an indelible mark on my soul. Through the captivating narratives and vivid descriptions, I have been transported to the vibrant streets of Tokyo, experiencing the city's essence through the eyes of its inhabitants. Tokyo, a city that breathes with a life of its own, is a symphony of sights, sounds, and emotions. It is a place where tradition dances hand in hand with innovation, where the past intertwines with the present, creating a harmonious blend that is uniquely captivating. In these stories, I have witnessed the delicate balance between honoring age-old customs and embracing the relentless tide of progress. Tokyo is a city that embraces its rich cultural heritage while eagerly exploring the frontiers of the future. The people who inhabit this bustling metropolis are the heart and soul of its enchantment. Their dreams, hopes, and struggles reverberate through each tale, creating a tapestry of humanity that is both universal and deeply personal. From the stoic salaryman navigating the demands of corporate life to the artist seeking solace and inspiration in the city's hidden corners, the characters in "Tokyo Tales" have taught me valuable lessons about resilience, determination, and the pursuit of one's passions. In Tokyo, I have discovered a place where contradictions coexist harmoniously. Amidst the labyrinthine streets and towering skyscrapers, there is a serenity that can be found in the simplicity of a traditional tea ceremony or the tranquility of a Japanese garden. It is a city that celebrates the ephemeral beauty of cherry blossoms in spring and the vibrant colors of autumn leaves, reminding us of the transient nature of life itself. Yet, Tokyo is also a city that pulses with the energy of modernity. Its neon-lit streets, crowded intersections, and technological marvels create a sensory overload that is both exhilarating and awe-inspiring. In these tales, I have marveled at the fusion of ancient traditions with cutting-edge advancements, where futuristic architecture rises alongside centuries-old temples, and where the virtual world seamlessly merges with reality. Beyond the physical landscape, Tokyo is a city of connections. It is a place where strangers become friends, where a shared smile or a moment of kindness transcends language and cultural barriers. In the stories of "Tokyo Tales," I have experienced the warmth and hospitality of Tokyoites, their willingness to embrace diversity and welcome outsiders into their vibrant community. Tokyo has taught me the value of human connection, the power of empathy, and the beauty of forging bonds that transcend borders. As I reach the final pages of this literary journey, I carry with me the memories of Tokyo's tales, the sights, the sounds, and the emotions that have enveloped me throughout this remarkable adventure. The stories have not only provided a glimpse into the lives of Tokyo's inhabitants but have also invited me to reflect on my own journey, my own dreams, and the power of embracing the unknown.

Neighborhood Tokyo

Neighborhood Tokyo PDF Author: Theodore C. Bestor
Publisher: Stanford University Press
ISBN: 0804717974
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 752

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Book Description
In the vastness of Tokyo these are tiny social units, and by the standards that most Americans would apply, they are perhaps far too small, geographically and demographically, to be considered "neighborhoods." Still, to residents of Tokyo and particularly to the residents of any given subsection of the city, they are socially significant and geographically distinguishable divisions of the urban landscape. In neighborhoods such as these, overlapping and intertwining associations and institutions provide an elaborate and enduring framework for local social life, within which residents are linked to one another not only through their participation in local organizations, but also through webs of informal social, economic, and political ties. This book is an ethnographic analysis of the social fabric and internal dynamics of one such neighborhood: Miyamoto-cho, a pseudonym for a residential and commercial district in Tokyo where the author carried out fieldwork from June 1979 to May 1981, and during several summers since. It is a study of the social construction and maintenance of a neighborhood in a society where such communities are said to be outmoded, even antithetical to the major trends of modernization and social change that have transformed Japan in the last hundred years. It is a study not of tradition as an aspect of historical continuity, but of traditionalism: the manipulation, invention, and recombination of cultural patterns, symbols, and motifs so as to legitimate contemporary social realities by imbuing them with a patina of venerable historicity. It is a study of often subtle and muted struggles between insiders and outsiders over those most ephemeral of the community's resources, its identity and sense of autonomy, enacted in the seemingly insubstantial idioms of cultural tradition.

Prayer and Play in Late Tokugawa Japan

Prayer and Play in Late Tokugawa Japan PDF Author: Nam-lin Hur
Publisher: Harvard Univ Asia Center
ISBN: 9780674002401
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 334

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Book Description
The unique amalgam of prayer and play at the Sensōji temple in Edo is often cited as proof of the "degenerate Buddhism" of the Tokugawa period. This investigation of the economy and cultural politics of Sensōji, however, shows that its culture of prayer and play reflected changes taking place in Tokugawa Japan, particularly in the city of Edo. Play was an integral part of the business of religion at Sensōji, and the temple supplied both in equal measure to often rootless Edoites. Nam-lin Hur's reappraisal of prayer and play and their inherent connectedness provides a cultural critique of conventional scholarship on Tokugawa religion and shows how Edo commoners incorporated cultural politics into their daily lives through the pursuit of prayer and play.

The Rousing Drum

The Rousing Drum PDF Author: Scott Schnell
Publisher: University of Hawaii Press
ISBN: 0824864999
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 377

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Book Description
Ritual is too often equated with unvarying or repetitive behavior. This impression is encouraged by the ethnographic tendency toward an overly narrow time frame, which highlights current relationships and conditions rather than long-term developments. The Rousing Drum takes a different view. It adopts a historical perspective encompassing several hundred years in exploring the role of ritual as an effective medium for negotiating sociopolitical and economic change. The setting is Furukawa, a town located in Japan's mountainous interior. Every spring the local Shinto shrine festival provides an opportunity for enacting social relationships and attitudes. By day, a portable shrine containing the spirit of the guardian deity is escorted through town in a stately procession. At night, however, a different scenario unfolds. A barrel-shaped drum is borne through the nighttime streets on a massive grid-like platform. Prominent members of the community are obliged to ride upon the platform, while teams of young adults rush out and attack it as it passes through their respective neighborhoods. The action can become quite unruly, and random fights and injuries are accepted as inevitable correlates. In analyzing the festival over time, Schnell reveals a dramatic transformation. The drum ritual, which originated as a minor preliminary to the other events, emerged during the late 1800s as an occasion for airing hostilities and settling scores. As Japan's modernization progressed, the ritual performance came to embody a symbolic challenge to institutionalized authority, and occasionally escalated into politically motivated violence. While the religious ceremonies observed during the day were appropriated by local power holders, the nighttime drum ritual represented a folk response to the officially sanctioned liturgy. The festival as a whole thus represented the clash of competing ideologies within the context of a single public forum. Today's ritual, rather tame by comparison, is being transformed into a tourist attraction aligned with the town's economic development objectives. Schnell's careful examination of the ethnohistorical data offers a valuable new perspective on Japanese festivals as well as the events and conditions that influence their development. His innovative look at ritual behavior over time persuades us that we can grasp the underlying significance of such activities only if we consider them within the context of larger historical patterns.