| 研究実績の概要 |
This fiscal year, I continued my research on developments in beliefs and practices related to site divination (fengshui or geomancy) in East Asia. I focused mainly on developments in Japan and extended my scope into the early modern and modern periods of Japanese history. In particular, I started to conduct research on site divination and manifestations of the four divine beasts in the architecture and ritual practices of a small number of Shinto shrines. To this end, I conducted field work in Kyoto and Dazaifu, and archival research within and outside Japan.
I presented the research results at an international conference (European Association for Japanese Studies, August 2017, Lisbon) and gave an invited lecture at Kyushu University (October 2017). I also submitted a book chapter on the influence of fengshui-related thought on contemporary architecture in Kyoto (forthcoming with Bloomsbury Academic in 2018 or 2019). I also attended the annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion, the world's largest gathering of religious studies specialists, to discuss my research with other experts and to receive feedback from my peers.
Finally, I continued to develop two sub-projects which will be come the focus of my research during the next fiscal year.
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| 現在までの達成度 (区分) |
現在までの達成度 (区分)
1: 当初の計画以上に進展している
理由
I have achieved the goals that I set out for the project at the time of application and have started to develop related sub-projects. One project concerns the assimilation of fengshui-related concepts and practices in the art, architecture, and rituals of Shinto shrines; the other concerns the influence of fengshui-though on contemporary Japanese architecture.
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| 今後の研究の推進方策 |
In FY2018, I will advance an additional line of inquiry into the influence of geomantic thought and practices within the Japanese context. Through fieldwork in Kyoto and Dazaifu, as well as close cooperation with domestic and international scholars, I intend to investigate when and how elements of fengshui came to be incorporated into the core of Japanese belief systems, thereby demonstrating how pervasive the influence of fengshui has been on Shinto. I will do this by focusing on six prominent shrines (Dazaifu Tenmangu, Heian Jingu, Kamigamo jinja, Yasaka Jinja, Matsunoo Taisha, and Jonangu) where fengshui concepts have become an integral part of the architecture, art, and rituals. In so doing, I will demonstrate how pervasive the influence of fengshui-related beliefs has been on Shinto, and it will become clear why ancient concepts and ideals are still relevant to contemporary society. Wit this research, I hope to contribute to the existing body of scholarship on Shinto, its shrines, architecture, symbolism, and ritual practices, and advance our knowledge of the complexity of the Japanese religious landscape from about the sixth century until the present day.
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