JAPANESE JOURNAL OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES
Scope & Guideline
Illuminating Religious Diversity Through Scholarship
Introduction
Aims and Scopes
- Interdisciplinary Approaches to Religion:
The journal emphasizes interdisciplinary methodologies, merging history, sociology, anthropology, and philosophy to deliver nuanced analyses of religious phenomena in Japan. - Historical Contextualization:
A significant aim of the journal is to contextualize religious practices within historical frameworks, particularly focusing on periods such as the Edo, Meiji, and postwar eras. - Cultural and Social Implications of Religion:
The journal frequently explores how religious beliefs and practices intersect with cultural identity, social movements, and political landscapes in Japan. - Diversity of Religious Traditions:
It showcases a wide array of religious traditions, including Buddhism, Shinto, and new religious movements, reflecting the pluralistic nature of Japanese spirituality. - Thematic Studies on Modernity and Tradition:
The journal often examines the tension between modernity and tradition in Japanese religious practices, analyzing how they adapt or resist contemporary societal changes.
Trending and Emerging
- Religion and Identity Formation:
A growing focus on how religious beliefs shape personal and communal identities in modern Japan is evident, reflecting broader societal conversations about belonging and cultural heritage. - Political Dimensions of Religion:
Recent papers increasingly examine the intersection of religion and politics, especially in the context of postwar Japan, indicating heightened interest in how religious movements influence political discourse. - Impact of Globalization on Japanese Religions:
There is a notable trend towards exploring the effects of globalization on Japanese religious practices, particularly how international influences reshape domestic beliefs and community dynamics. - Health and Spirituality:
Emerging themes regarding the relationship between spirituality and health, particularly in the context of dying and end-of-life practices, signify a shift towards personal and existential concerns within religious studies. - Gender and Religion:
The journal is increasingly addressing themes of gender within religious contexts, particularly focusing on female experiences and roles in various Japanese religious traditions.
Declining or Waning
- Historical Narratives of Individual Sects:
There has been a noticeable decrease in detailed studies focused solely on individual sects' historical narratives, possibly due to a growing interest in broader, interdisciplinary approaches. - Premodern Religious Practices:
Research centered on premodern religious practices, while still relevant, seems to have diminished in frequency, suggesting a shift towards contemporary analyses and modern implications. - Narrow Focus on Traditional Rituals:
The journal appears to be moving away from narrowly focused studies on traditional rituals, in favor of exploring their socio-political contexts and modern adaptations. - Regional Studies of Religion:
There is a waning interest in region-specific religious studies, as the journal increasingly adopts a national or transnational perspective on Japanese religion. - Comparative Studies with Other Cultures:
Comparative analyses between Japanese religions and those from other cultures are becoming less frequent, indicating a potential narrowing of focus to domestic religious issues.
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