Monday, 21 May 2012

[Q519.Ebook] Download The Fox and the Jewel: Shared and Private Meanings in Contemporary Japanese Inari Worship, by Karen A. Smyers

Download The Fox and the Jewel: Shared and Private Meanings in Contemporary Japanese Inari Worship, by Karen A. Smyers

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The Fox and the Jewel: Shared and Private Meanings in Contemporary Japanese Inari Worship, by Karen A. Smyers

The Fox and the Jewel: Shared and Private Meanings in Contemporary Japanese Inari Worship, by Karen A. Smyers



The Fox and the Jewel: Shared and Private Meanings in Contemporary Japanese Inari Worship, by Karen A. Smyers

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The Fox and the Jewel: Shared and Private Meanings in Contemporary Japanese Inari Worship, by Karen A. Smyers

The deity Inari has been worshipped in Japan since at least the early eighth century and today is a revered presence in such varied venues as Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples, factories, theaters, private households, restaurants, beauty shops, and rice fields. Although at first glance and to its many devotees Inari worship may seem to be a unified phenomenon, it is in fact exceedingly multiple, noncodified, and noncentralized. No single regulating institution, dogma, scripture, or myth centers the practice. In this exceptionally insightful study, the author explores the worship of Inari in the context of homogeneity and diversity in Japan. The shape-shifting fox and the wish-fulfilling jewel, the main symbols of Inari, serve as interpretive metaphors to describe the simultaneously shared yet infinitely diverse meanings that cluster around the deity. That such diversity exists without the apparent knowledge of Inari worshippers is explained by the use of several communicative strategies that minimize the exchange of substantive information. Shared generalized meanings (tatemae) are articulated while private meanings and complexities (honne) are left unspoken. The appearance of unity is reinforced by a set of symbols representing fertility, change, and growth in ways that can be interpreted and understood by many individuals of various ages and occupations.

The Fox and the Jewel describes the rich complexity of Inari worship in contemporary Japan. It explores questions of institutional and popular power in religion, demonstrates the ways people make religious figures personally meaningful, and documents the kinds of communicative styles that preserve the appearance of homogeneity in the face of astonishing factionalism.

  • Sales Rank: #6726475 in Books
  • Published on: 1998-12-01
  • Released on: 1998-12-01
  • Original language: English
  • Number of items: 1
  • Dimensions: 9.00" h x .69" w x 6.00" l, 1.21 pounds
  • Binding: Hardcover
  • 288 pages

About the Author
Karen A. Smyers is assistant professor of religion at Wesleyan University

Most helpful customer reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful.
Oirented towards contemporary Inari worship, but includes many historical details
By seaan
It is written in an academic style, and can be a bit dry at times. But on the up side that means it also has good footnotes and lots of detailed references. I read it primarily because of my interest in historic Shinto practices and Kitsune lore, and was pleasantly surprised at the amount of history details it contained. Despite not being my main interest, I found the information about contemporary practices interesting - though I did skim some of the parts dealing with current temple politics (though I would have loved to have seen more details about historic politics).

There are a large number of excerpts and quotes (good for those of us who do not have access to the original material). I found the historic excerpts (Kitsune folk tales primarily, compared to other English translations I have) to be fairly concise summaries, missing some of the flavor. No real complaint here, there are a lot of excerpts, and the author is usually making some interesting point. I am just saying don't expect full translations of the Kitsune related stories in Konjaku Monogatari, or a really detailed version of the Kabuki play Yoshitsune senbon zakura (it is summarized in one long paragraph on p99).

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful.
Jewel of a Book
By Beth L. Cato
While this book is targeted at more academic readers, I found it to be fascinating and highly relevant to my research. Smyers explores the nature of Inari within Japanese culture: how Inari is regarded in different ways by specific temples of Buddhism, Shintoism, and by different approaches of shamanism; how Inari is depicted as male or female, old or young, and as foxes as literal or as messengers; how and why Inari is worshiped as a figurehead of rice, money, fertility, and many other needs; the symbolism of Inari's jewel, etc. In particular, I was seeking details about kitsune as the spirit fox shown in mythology. Smyers cited some sources I had already read but also brought in new tidbits about dog sorcery as anti-fox and how foxes are integrated into Japanese culture. I made many notes so I can return to sections in the future

The read is somewhat dry at times, especially at the start as it delves into the difference between temples, but I found it a quick read once it went into more mythological aspects about foxes and jewels. This was a book I had on my wish list for a long time because of the cost (about $30) and I am very glad I bought it and will keep it as a reference source. If you have any interest in Japanese mythology, Inari, and kitsune, I highly recommend it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful.
Academic, but amazing.
By Paige
This is an academic book, but don't let it fool you into thinking that it's dry and hard to follow.

I got this due to my interest in Japanese folklore, and specifically kitsune (fox) lore, and was NOT DISAPPOINTED AT ALL! Smyers explores and shows us what goes on in Toyokawa Inari and Fushimi Inari, two of the "top" Inari sites, and the differences and similarities between practice, clergy routines, with interviews from general laypeople, clergy, local spiritual leaders, and more.

See all 8 customer reviews...

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