How Long to Read The Invention of Religion in Japan

How Long Does it Take to Read The Invention of Religion in Japan?

It takes the average reader 6 hours and 45 minutes to read The Invention of Religion in Japan by Jason Ananda Josephson

Assuming a reading speed of 250 words per minute. Learn more

Description

A study of how Japan once had no concept of “religion,” and what happened when officials were confronted by American Commodore Perry in 1853. Throughout its long history, Japan had no concept of what we call “religion.” There was no corresponding Japanese word, nor anything close to its meaning. But when American warships appeared off the coast of Japan in 1853 and forced the Japanese government to sign treaties demanding, among other things, freedom of religion, the country had to contend with this Western idea. In this book, Jason Ananda Josephson reveals how Japanese officials invented religion in Japan and traces the sweeping intellectual, legal, and cultural changes that followed. More than a tale of oppression or hegemony, Josephson’s account demonstrates that the process of articulating religion offered the Japanese state a valuable opportunity. In addition to carving out space for belief in Christianity and certain forms of Buddhism, Japanese officials excluded Shinto from the category. Instead, they enshrined it as a national ideology while relegating the popular practices of indigenous shamans and female mediums to the category of “superstitions” —and thus beyond the sphere of tolerance. Josephson argues that the invention of religion in Japan was a politically charged, boundary-drawing exercise that not only extensively reclassified the inherited materials of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Shinto to lasting effect, but also reshaped, in subtle but significant ways, our own formulation of the concept of religion today. This ambitious and wide-ranging book contributes an important perspective to broader debates on the nature of religion, the secular, science, and superstition. Praise for The Invention of Religion in Japan “The Invention of Religion in Japan is truly revolutionary. Original, well researched, and engrossing, it overturns basic assumptions in the study of Japanese thought, religion, science, and history. . . . This book will absolutely reshape the field.” —Sarah Thal, University of Wisconsin-Madison “Written with remarkable clarity, this book makes an excellent contribution to the study of the interface of traditional Japanese religions and politics. Highly recommended.” —Choice “The range of Japanese primary sources consulted in his book is prodigious, as is his familiarity and usage of multidisciplinary theoretical works. . . . Josephson’s book is erudite, informative, and interesting. It should be a worthwhile read for Japan scholars as well as scholars and students interested in religious studies theory and history.” —H-Shukyo

How long is The Invention of Religion in Japan?

The Invention of Religion in Japan by Jason Ananda Josephson is 402 pages long, and a total of 101,304 words.

This makes it 136% the length of the average book. It also has 124% more words than the average book.

How Long Does it Take to Read The Invention of Religion in Japan Aloud?

The average oral reading speed is 183 words per minute. This means it takes 9 hours and 13 minutes to read The Invention of Religion in Japan aloud.

What Reading Level is The Invention of Religion in Japan?

The Invention of Religion in Japan is suitable for students ages 12 and up.

Note that there may be other factors that effect this rating besides length that are not factored in on this page. This may include things like complex language or sensitive topics not suitable for students of certain ages.

When deciding what to show young students always use your best judgement and consult a professional.

Where Can I Buy The Invention of Religion in Japan?

The Invention of Religion in Japan by Jason Ananda Josephson is sold by several retailers and bookshops. However, Read Time works with Amazon to provide an easier way to purchase books.

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