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How Properly Contextualized Christianity Could Benefit Japan, Benjamin Highsmith

Honors Theses

This thesis aims to ask the question “how could Christianity, if properly contextualized, benefit Japan?” It does so through the use of academic sources, interviews, and personal observations. Topics covered include Japanese culture, its perception of Christianity, and the lifestyles of Japanese Christians. This thesis uses cultural concepts to explain how Christianity and Japanese culture might find themselves at odds, but also explains how Christianity could work in unison with Japanese culture in order to benefit Japanese society as a whole, defending its argument using Biblical concepts intertwined with Japanese values.

Hidden Christians And Non-Churches: Indigenized Christian Practices In Japan, Shayne Naoyuki Yano

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

Throughout Christianity's tumultuous history in Japan, there have been several traditions which have stood independent from Western missionary churches. Two such traditions are the Kakure Kirishitan (“Hidden Christians”) and Uchimura Kanzo's Non-Church Movement. Both have interpreted Christianity in ways that make sense within their own historical and cultural contexts. Japan's Hidden Christians were forced by strict persecution to practice their faith in secret, where they developed ways to disguise their practices. Meanwhile, at the dawn of a new era of religious freedom in Japan, Uchimura Kanzo formed a new way to practice Christianity that both integrated Japanese traditions such as …

Savoring The Moon: Japanese Prints Of The Floating World, Madison B. Dalton

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

Guided by the Director of the Madison Art Collection and Lisanby Museum, Virginia Soenksen,I served as the Curatorial Assistant for the Lisanby Museum’s forthcoming exhibition Savoring the Moon: Japanese Prints of the Floating World. The exhibition will highlight the Madison ArtCollection’s impressive Japanese woodblock prints in the ukiyo-e style. Ukiyo-e translates to“pictures of the floating world.” This style proliferated in Japan during the Edo period (1603 - 1868) and Meiji period (1868 - 1912), with visual themes that ranged from flora and fauna, Japanese ceremonies, kabuki actors, mythology, courtesans, and cultural pastimes. The estate of Charles Alvin Lisanby gifted over …

The Transition Of Guanyin: Reinterpreting Queerness And Buddha Nature In Medieval East Asia, Robert Wilf

Religious Studies Honors Papers

Avalokitesvara, better known by the Chinese name of Guanyin, is perhaps the second most pervasive figure in all of Buddhism after the historical Buddha himself. Part of this popularity comes from his adaptability and willingness to change to order to save everyone, no matter what part of society they might be from. It is thanks to this adaptability that Guanyin’s iconography varies wildly by region, with much of Theravada and tantric Buddhism depicting him as a man, while Mahayana Buddhism tends to revere her as the patron of women. From their earliest description, Guanyin was known to transcend boundaries to …

Learning To Pray The Lord’S Prayer For Spiritual Transformation At Tachikawa Church Of Christ, Naoyoshi Fukushima

Doctor of Ministry Theses

ABSTRACT

This thesis describes a project to lead the members of Tachikawa Church of Christ to learn and experience the power and blessings of praying the Lord’s Prayer for spiritual edification and maturity. The program consisted of eight weeks of learning the meaning of the Lord’s Prayer and doing spiritual exercises. To provide a theological foundation for this project, I delivered eight sermons on the Lord’s Prayer with strong emphasis on the relational nature of the prayer.

Those who engaged in the spiritual exercises were given opportunities to experience joy, peace, and correction as they tried to live in harmony …

The Otaku Phenomenon : Pop Culture, Fandom, And Religiosity In Contemporary Japan., Kendra Nicole Sheehan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this dissertation centers on the otaku subculture and their subsequent incorporation of Japanese religious elements into their consumption of Japanese popular culture. This phenomenon highlights the intersections of popular culture and religion in Japan, which is emerging in religious sites. Shintō shrines and Buddhist temples are incorporating popular culture as a means to maintain relevancy, encourage growth of parishioners, and raising revenue by capitalizing on the popularity of manga and anime. The relevance of this research connects to the continued impact of Japanese popular culture through globalization. The first chapter provides a theoretical background examining this socio-religious …

The Way Of The Gods: The Development Of Shinto Nationalism In Early Modern Japan, Chadwick Mackenzie Totty

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research looks at the development of Shinto nationalism in Edo Period Japan (1603-1868). It focuses on the development of intellectual thought and the relationship between the kogaku school in Japanese Confucianism and the kokugaku school in Shintoism. The primary goal is to demonstrate that there was a trend wherein members of these two schools looked back to the past in order to rediscover a lost utopia and Way. This study examines the works of Yamaga Soko, Itō Jinsai, Ogyū Sorai, Kamo no Mabuchi, and Motoori Norinaga to demonstrate how this line of thought helped contribute to the development of …

Ancient Magic And Modern Accessories: Developments In The Omamori Phenomenon, Eric Teixeira Mendes

Masters Theses

This thesis offers an examination of modern Japanese amulets, called omamori, distributed by Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines throughout Japan. As amulets, these objects are meant to be carried by a person at all times in which they wish to receive the benefits that an omamori is said to offer. In modern times, in addition to being a religious object, these amulets have become accessories for cell-phones, bags, purses, and automobiles. Said to protect people from accidents, disease, loneliness, failure, computer viruses, among many other things, these objects are one of the few material aspects of religion that are a …

Becoming All Things To All Men: The Role Of Jesuit Missions In Early Modern Globalization, Ann Louise Cole

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

From its founding, the Society of Jesus was globally minded, and Iberian imperial and mercantile expansion during the early modern period granted Jesuit missionaries unprecedented access to the globe through navigation. With its unique emphasis on both global missions and pedagogy, the Society of Jesus was in an ideal position to both generate and disseminate knowledge about the world. As missionaries scattered across the globe constructed the identity of the ethnic and cultural Other encountered on mission in the East and in Latin America, Jesuit missionaries and scholars, both at home and abroad, likewise attempted to construct a global Catholic …

The Japanese Missionary Journals Of Elder Alma O. Taylor, 1901-10, Reid Larkin Neilson

Theses and Dissertations

On 14 February 1901, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced the opening of the Japan Mission and the selection of Elder Heber J. Grant as its first president. The idea of sending Mormon missionaries to Japan had earlier been entertained by President Brigham Young and several other church leaders and lay members.

Until 1854, Japan was closed to western nations and their religious influences. Finally, Commodore Perry forced the Japanese to open their borders and minds to the economic and political entreaties of the United States. In time, other western nations and their …

Preparing Pastors To Train Laity For Church Growth In The Seventh-Day Adventist Church In Japan, Akeri Suzuki

Professional Dissertations DMin

Problem

The annual number of baptisms in the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church in Japan has decreased from 426 in 1986 to 334 in 1995 despite increases in both the total membership and number of churches. During the same period of time, the number of pastors has declined from 118 in 1986 to 112 in 1995. Thus, the average annual baptisms per pastor has decreased from 3.61 in 1986 to 2.98 in 1995.

Method

Current literature was reviewed. This included books and articles on the principles, strategies, and programs which help pastors develop their abilities to equip the laity and to …

A History Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints In Japan From 1948 To 1980, Terry G. Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

The history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Japan from 1948 to 1980 is a study in cross-cultural interaction. Compared to the earlier attempts of the Church in proselytizing the Japanese in the period 1901 to 1924, there are some significant contrasts. The earlier mission is seen as an attempt by a small, relatively unknown, provincial religion, in financial straits, just emerging into the twentieth century, trying to establish itself in a non-christian, fiercely nationalistic, culturally closed nation.

From very humble beginnings, starting with second and third generation Japanese in Hawaii, and with LDS members of …

Uemura Masahisa (1857-1925) First Generation Pastor, Christian Leader And Instinctive Proponent Of Indigenized Christianity In Japan, Addison Soltau

Doctor of Theology Dissertation

Uemura was an extremely able leader and organizer of men, sophisticated thinker, broad reader, and committed to the Christian faith ashes understood it. Part of the fascination of the study lies in observing how the influence of this towering figure and others like him came so quickly to bear upon the church in Japan. Unlike other countries to which the faith has been taken by missionaries, Japan stands out as one in which missionary leadership and influence were replaced by Japanese within thirty years after its introduction. Uemura was one who helped to bring this about. The Christian church in …

The Seventh-Day Adventist Family In Japan, Warren Ivan Hilliard

Professional Dissertations DMin

Problem

There are indications that failure on the part of Christian workers in Japan to develop a family-centered strategy of evangelism based on a balanced appreciation of the cultural integrity of that country has contributed to the slow growth of Christianity. The Seventh-day Adventist Church, while stressing the importance of the family, has largely failed to understand the Japanese family and to realize its potential for evangelism.

Method

The project was organized in two parts. As the Seventh-day Adventist family in Japan was seen to be first of all Japanese, a review of the literature concerning the characteristics and development …

Factors Of Influence In The Development Of Mukyokai, Rodger Grulke

Bachelor of Divinity

It is the intention of this paper to point out those factors of influence in the cultural and historical climate which helped to forge and shape Mukyokai, but also to reveal the importance of a great man who is responsible for its development and continuation. This does not intend to eradicate the importance of individuals and the church in the life of Uchimura Kanzo. However, a movement which maintains fifty thousand members including many prominent individuals in government, education, and theology is the living testimony of a man who deserves recognition as a great theologian and Scholar.

Dogen And Bankei And A Study Of The Soto Zen, Kazumitsu W. Kato

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The reason I am writing this dissertation is to introduce another side of Zen, Soto, which is completely unknown in the Western world; and at the same time to bring Dogen's teaching to the attention of Western scholars, since it is famous in Japan as the most profound branch of the philosophy of Zen. Unfortunately, none of Dogen' s teaching has yet been translated into English except Masunaga's private publication given above. Therefore I am taking this opportunity to translate and to add a commentary of my own for the better understanding of Dogen as well as the historical survey …

History Of The Japan Mission Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, 1901-1924, Murray L. Nichols

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this work is of course to fulfill thesis requirements, but more important to me is a desire that those who read it may gain a greater understanding of the mission in Japan. The membership of the church seems to have shared the traditional American opinion that the Far East is of little consequence in our affairs, and have given the area little attention. Missionaries have been and still are reluctant to go there; feelings of failure have persisted because of the early experiences in Japan. However, those who have seriously given their attention to missionary labors in …

A History Of Missouri Synod Work In Japan, Arthur Strege

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The present thesis is entitled: “A History of Missouri Synod Work in Japan." It gives a brief history of the work done by members of the Missouri Synod in Japan itself from September, 1948, to January, 1953. In order that this thesis might give a more complete picture, Chapter II will be devoted to an overview of the past activities of the Missouri Synod which led to the opening of the field in Japan in 1948. For a more detailed picture of those activities, the reader would do well to consult the B.D. thesis mentioned above.

This overview will be …

A History Of Missouri Synod Work Among The Japanese, Arthur H. Strege

Bachelor of Divinity

This thesis gives a brief history of work done by members of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod among people of Japanese ancestry living in various places throughout the world. A complete title of the material covered in this thesis should probably read: "A History of Work Done by Pastors, Missionaries, Chaplains, Teachers, and Laymen of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod among People of Japanese Ancestry in the United States till 1952, and among Japanese People in China till 1950 and in Japan till September, 1948." Since the Rev. William J. Danker, first resident missionary of the Missouri Synod in Japan, arrived in …

A Survey Of Problems Confronting The Christian Missionary To The Rural Areas Of Japan, Paul H. Pallmeyer Jr

Bachelor of Divinity

In the following pages an attempt has been made to investigate these problems. No effort has been made to discuss the methods that have been used to deal with them, but where these problems have been solved or have been brought closer to solution owing to certain circumstances, the author has tried to take cognizance of this fact. This study cannot be exhaustive as will become apparent especially in Chapter IV, which deals with the religious life of the country people.

The United Church Of Christ In Japan: An Analysis Of The Background Of And Trends Toward Unity In Religion And State Resulting In The Creation Of The United Protestant Church In Japan, Earl Van Best

Graduate Thesis Collection

This thesis is a limited expression of many years of interest in and love for the Kingdom of God in Japan. It is offered as a lay critique of the bases from which have developed trends toward unity in state and religion. It has been difficult not to descend to the level of a biased judge on the one hand or to scale the heights of the prophet on the other-, what with the alarming amount of misinformation available suggestive of the possibility of dramatic pronouncements based on half-truths. The Clan System, Shrine worship, war records, and the supposed reasons …

Shinto The Principle Of Japan, George Shibata

Bachelor of Divinity

Our thesis is: Shinto is the principle of the Japanese nation. It is manifested in the love of the people for the nation. As for the individual in his relationship to God, Shinto leaves the matter to each soul. But the two factors are so closely related that they militate against the successful introduction of Christianity.

Our study of Shinto will be, first of all, the consideration of the historical circumstances and influences in which Shinto developed. Then the traditional myths will be analyzed. Finally, the resulting State Shinto and the sectarian Shinto will be described.

The Christian Thought Of Doctor Toyohiko Kagawa And His Social Works And Movements, Eiichi Iimura

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The world recognizes Toyohiko Kagawa as the St. Francis of Japan. His heart is one of pure love like that of St. Francis, but his battle has not been carried on by means of the sermon in a religious denomination. With a heart of love Kagawa has stood in the streets and would save the lives of the people. This is because he was born in 20th century Japan and not in Italy of the Middle Ages.

Fifteen hundred years after the fall of ancient Rome the world once more is about to undergo a mighty change. At this time …