The Planet's Most Spiritual Places


Book Description

The Planet's Most Spiritual Places presents the 100 most important faith and spiritual sites from all over the world.




The Art of Japanese Architecture


Book Description

The Art of Japanese Architecture presents a complete overview of Japanese architecture in its historical and cultural context. The book begins with a discussion of early prehistoric dwellings and concludes with a description of works by important modern Japanese architects. Along the way it discusses the iconic buildings and architectural styles for which Japan is so justly famous--from elegant Shinden and Sukiya aristocratic villas like the Kinkakuji "Golden Pavilion" in Kyoto, to imposing Samurai castles like Himeji and Matsumoto, and tranquil Zen Buddhist gardens and tea houses to rural Minka thatched-roof farmhouses and Shinto shrines. Each period in the development of Japan's architecture is described in detail and the most important structures are shown and discussed--including dozens of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The aesthetic trends in each period are presented within the context of Japanese society at the time, providing a unique in-depth understanding of the way Japanese architectural styles and buildings have developed over time and the great variety that is visible today. The book is profusely illustrated with hundreds of hand-drawn 3D watercolor illustrations and color photos as well as prints, maps and diagrams. The new edition features dozens of new photographs and a handy hardcover format that is perfect for travelers.




Japanese Goddesses


Book Description

📚✨ **Unveil the Mysteries of the Divine Feminine with "Japanese Goddesses"** ✨📚 Discover the enchanting world of Japanese mythology with our captivating four-part series, **"Japanese Goddesses"**. Each volume in this collection delves deep into the lives and legacies of four powerful goddesses whose influence has shaped the spiritual and cultural landscape of Japan for centuries. Whether you are a mythology enthusiast, a history buff, or simply intrigued by the divine feminine, this series offers a profound and immersive experience. 🌸🌟 **Book 1 - Amaterasu: The Sun Goddess and the Divine Light of Japan** 🌞🌟 Step into the radiant world of Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess whose light has guided and inspired Japan throughout its history. This book explores her divine role, from her celestial origins to her pivotal place in the imperial lineage. Learn about her legendary feats, including the dramatic tale of her retreat into a cave and the efforts of the gods to lure her back into the world of light. Uncover the story of how Amaterasu’s brilliance continues to illuminate the cultural and spiritual life of Japan today. 📖✨ **Book 2 - Izanami: The Mother of Creation and the Shadow of Death** 🌌🌑 Explore the profound narrative of Izanami, the primordial goddess of creation and death. This volume delves into her pivotal role in the formation of Japan and her complex relationship with the realms of life and death. Discover how Izanami's story reveals the deep connections between creation, mortality, and the cyclical nature of existence. Her legacy as both a nurturing mother and a shadowy figure of the underworld offers a unique perspective on the dualities that shape our world. 📚🔮 **Book 3 - Uzume: The Dance of Dawn and the Spirit of Joy** 🌅💃 Celebrate the joyous spirit of Uzume, the goddess who danced away darkness and restored light to the world. Known for her exuberance and revelry, Uzume’s tale is one of laughter, dance, and the power of joy to overcome adversity. This book captures her spirited dance that brought the sun goddess out of her cave and revitalized the world. Dive into the vibrant culture of celebration and discover how Uzume’s legacy of joy continues to inspire and uplift. 🎉🌈 **Book 4 - Benzaiten: The Muse of Music, Art, and Prosperity** 🎶💫 Enter the realm of Benzaiten, the goddess of music, art, and prosperity. This volume explores how Benzaiten's divine influence extends across the arts and financial success. From her origins to her role as a muse for artists and a patroness of prosperity, learn how Benzaiten’s blessings shape the creative and economic aspects of life. Her enduring legacy in contemporary Japanese culture reflects the powerful intersection of artistic inspiration and material well-being. 🎨💰 **"Japanese Goddesses"** is a celebration of the divine feminine in Japanese mythology, offering insights into the timeless stories that continue to resonate through the ages. Perfect for readers of all backgrounds, this series brings to life the myths and legends of Amaterasu, Izanami, Uzume, and Benzaiten, revealing their profound impact on both ancient traditions and modern culture. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the divine light, creativity, and joy embodied by these extraordinary goddesses. 🌺📚�� Get your copies today and embark on a journey through the divine realms of Japanese mythology! 🌟📖🛒




Exploring the Social Life of Japanese “Manchurian Immigrants”


Book Description

The book studies the “Manchurian immigrants” from many important aspects suchas agricultural operation, education, religion, and women’s issues. It contains thefollowing features: first, readers can get deeper understanding on the “Manchurianimmigrants” policies by investigating the agriculture-based social life of the“Manchurian immigrants” in Northeast China; second, studying the life conditions ofthe “Manchurian immigrants” can make up for the lack of researches in related fieldto some extent; third, readers are given chances by this book to learn Japanese societyand Japanese people from another facet.




Exploring the Religious Life


Book Description

Together, the essays that constitute Exploring the Religious Life offer an engaging introduction to Rodney Stark's provocative insights and a fearless challenge to academic perceptions about religion's place in history, society, and private life.




Religion and Society in Modern Japan


Book Description

Designed for classroom study, this anthology provides the students with interpretations and perspectives on the significance of religion in modern Japan. Emphasis is placed on the sociocultural expressions of religion in everyday life, rather than on religious texts or traditions. A particular strength of this collection is the combination of current Japanese and Western scholarship.




The Rise and Fall of the Japanese Empire


Book Description

This volume is a history of the Japanese drive for the conquest of Greater East Asia. It includes an account of the Malayan campaign and the Fall of Singapore, followed by an outline of the dominant features of the campaign in S E Asia and the Pacific and ending with the attack on Japan and the unconditional surrender. As a prisoner in Tokyo, the author was able to observe the reactions of the people and the government to the bombing of Japan, and by revealing their overwhelming defeat, to dispose of the fiction that surrender was brought about by two atomic bombs. The outstanding value of the work is its analysis of the fundamental problems of Japan.




In a Japanese garden ; The household shrine ; Of women's hair ; From the diary of an English teacher ; Two strange festivals ; By the Japanese Sea ; Of a dancing-girl ; From Hōki to Oki ; Of souls ; Of ghosts and goblins ; The Japanese smile ; Sayōnara!


Book Description

As an interpreter of Japan to the West, Lafcadio Hearn was without parallel in his time. His numerous books about that country were read with a fascination that was a tribute to his keen powers of observation and the vividness of his descriptions. Today, even though Japan has changed greatly from what it was when he wrote about it, his writing is still valid, for it captures the essence of the country - an essence that has actually changed a good deal less than outward appearances might suggest. In a word, the Japanese character and the Japanese tradition are still fundamentally the same as Hearn described.




Lonely Planet Japan


Book Description




Pilgrimages and Spiritual Quests in Japan


Book Description

This exciting new book is a detailed examination of pilgrimages in Japan, including the meanings of travel, transformation, and the discovery of identity through encounters with the sacred, in a variety of interesting dimensions in both historical and contemporary Japanese culture, linked by the unifying theme of a spiritual quest. Several fascinating new approaches to traditional forms of pilgrimage are put forward by a wide range of specialists in anthropology, religion and cultural studies, who set Japanese pilgrimage in a wider comparative perspective. They apply models of pilgrimage to quests for vocational fulfilment, examining cases as diverse as the civil service, painting and poetry, and present ethnographies of contemporary reconstructions of old spiritual quests, as conflicting (and sometimes global) demands impinge on the time and space of would-be pilgrims.