Artistic Representations of Urban Shamans in Contemporary Japan
Texts, Inter-actions and Efficacy
Abstract
This paper investigates how Japanese urban shamanic actors and their roles are constructed and represented by artists in different texts. Three case studies – writer Taguchi Randy, contemporary artist Mori Mariko, and musician Sugee – are presented to illustrate the processes of re-appropriation of terms and themes in the contemporary narrative on urban shamans. The use of the word shāman – with new meanings attached – and the role of connecting humans with other-than-human entities – and especially with nature – are analysed. Moreover, the connection to the so-called ‘new spirituality’ is emphasised.
Presentato: 06 Luglio 2018 | Accettato: 13 Settembre 2018 | Pubblicato 06 Dicembre 2018 | Lingua: en
Keywords Contemporary Japan • Shaman • Urban shamanism • New spirituality
Copyright © 2018 Silvia Rivadossi. This is an open-access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction is permitted, provided that the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. The license allows for commercial use. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Permalink http://doi.org/10.30687/AnnOr/2385-3042/2018/02/024