Title: Ise Now: Shrines, Myth, and Nation in 21st century Japan
Abstract:
In May of last year, Emperor Naruhito summoned the chief priest of the Ise shrines to an audience in the Tokyo palace. Naruhito instructed him to begin preparations for the shrines’ 63rd vicennial rebuilding, which is due for completion in 2033. Those preparations are now well underway. This, it seems to me, is as good an opportunity as any to reflect on the Ise shrines at the start of the 21st century. How do the shrines and the myth of the Sun Goddess fare in the 21st century? What connection obtains between shrines and the myth on the one hand and the emperor, the Japanese state and the Japanese people on the other? Such are the questions that inform my talk, “Ise Now: Shrines, Myth, and Nation in 21st century Japan"
Please note this talk begins at 18:00 and will be run in a hybrid format from CIEE Kyoto (6th Floor, Gion Classroom) with Zoom access available.