In Japan, the term “animism” is used with positive connotations as a way to describe widespread forms of Japanese religiosity and, to an extent, Japanese cultural identity. In this workshop, scholars from Japan explore some contemporary cultural formations defined in Japan as expressions of “animism” also in conversation with the scholars at University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB).

 

 

October 21-22, 2024

University of California, Santa Barbara, Robertson Gym 1005

Free admission

 

 

13:30 Greetings
14:00 Animism in Japan Today

- Kikuko Hirafuji “The Relationship between Shinto Shrines and Animals: The Japanese and Animism”

- Chihiro Minato “The Balloon Deities: Kojiki and Contemporary Media Art in Japan”

- Bon Koizumi “Animism Revived in Modern Times: The World of Lafcadio Hearn”

- Kazuo Matsumura “Yuru-Kyara: A Possible Modern Manifestation of the Basic Religious Substratum of Japan”

15:30-15:45 Coffee Break
15:45-16:30 Discussion
16:30-17:00 Documentary “Building Eternity :The Kami-Human Landscape of Izumo Taisha” (US premiere) 

17:00 Presentation of new artwork (TBA)
19:00 Dinner

 

9:30–12:00 Roundtable Rethinking “Animism” and Related Phenomena (“paganism,” polytheism, idolatry, materiality of religion, etc.)

12:00-13:30 Lunch break 

13:30-15:00 General Discussion 

19:00 Dinner

 

Ranjani Atur (University of Minnesota)

William Elison (UCSB)

Kikuko Hirafuji (Kokugakuin University)

Bon Koizumi (Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum)

Kazuo Matsumura (Wako University)

Chihiro Minato (Tama Art University)

Claudia Moser (UCSB)

Fabio Rambelli (UCSB)

Amit Shilo (UCSB)

Christine Thomas (UCSB)

 

UCSB Cordano Chair in Catholic Studies

UCSB Shinto Studies Chair

UCSB Department of Religious Studies

RCAST Open Laboratory for Emergence Strategies