Animism in Contemporary Japan - Voices for the Anthropocene From Post-Fukushima Japan

'Postmodern animism' first emerged in grassroots Japan in the aftermath of mercury poisoning in Minamata and the nuclear meltdown in Fukushima. Fusing critiques of modernity with intangible cultural heritages, it represents a philosophy of the life-world, where nature is a manifestation of a dynamic life force where all life is interconnected. This new animism, it is argued, could inspire a fundamental rethink of the human-nature relationship.

The book explores this notion of animism through the lens of four prominent figures in Japan: animation film director Miyazaki Hayao, sociologist Tsurumi Kazuko, writer Ishimure Michiko, and Minamata fisherman-philosopher Ogata Masato. Taking a biographical approach, it illustrates how these individuals moved towards the conclusion that animism can help humanity survive modernity. It contributes to the Anthropocene discourse from a transcultural and transdisciplinary perspective, thus addressing themes of nature and spirituality, whilst also engaging with arguments from mainstream social sciences.

Presenting a new perspective for a post-anthropocentric paradigm, Animism in Contemporary Japan will be useful to students and scholars of sociology, anthropology, philosophy and Japanese Studies.

List of contents

Introduction: A Theoretical Map Part I Animism as a Grassroots Response to a Socio-Ecological Disaster 1. Life-World 2. Stories of Soul Part II Inspiring Modernity with Animism 3. Animism for Sociological Imagination 4. Animating the Life-World Conclusion: Animism for New Modernity Epilogue

About the author

Shoko Yoneyama is a Senior Lecturer in Asian Studies at the University of Adelaide, Australia. Her key publications include The Japanese High School: Silence and Resistance (Routledge 1999).

Summary

The book explores animism through the lens of four prominent figures in Japan: film director Miyazaki Hayao, sociologist Tsurumi Kazuko, writer Ishimure Michiko, and Minamata fisherman-philosopher Ogata Masato. Taking a biographical approach, it illustrates how they came to the conclusion that animism can help humanity survive modernity.

Product details

• Authors: Shoko Yoneyama, Yoneyama Shoko
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 30.06.2020
• EAN: 9780367582623
• ISBN: 978-0-367-58262-3
• No. of pages: 262
• Series: Routledge Contemporary Japan Series
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Philosophy > General, dictionaries; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Philosophy: general, reference works; Social sciences, law, business > Sociology > Sociological theories; Japan, Ethnic Studies, Sociology, PHILOSOPHY / General, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology / General, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Regional Studies, Anthropology, Philosophy, Society & culture: general, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / General, Social & political philosophy, social and political philosophy, Social and cultural history, Society and culture: general, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Cultural & Ethnic Studies / General