Multi-site pilgrimages in Japan: an Introduction
I pellegrinaggi a circuito nel Giappone contemporaneo: introduzione allo studio sociologico e decostruzione della nozione di pellegrinaggi locali
Résumé
Multi-site pilgrimage circuits are a fundamental component of the religious landscape of contemporary Japan. The importance of these circuits is shown by their frequency, wide geographical diffusion, popularity, the variety of cultural and psychological functions that they fulfil and by their long history. However, studies have so far focused mainly on the henro pilgrimage on Shikoku Island and the Saigoku thirty-three Kannon pilgrimage, virtually ignoring the hundreds of other circuits in all corners of Japan. Drawing on data from two questionnaires and from field research, this paper suggests a socio-anthropological description of Japanese multi-site pilgrimages based on some of their main features, including structure and geographical characteristics (length, location etc.) and object of worship.
Origine : Fichiers produits par l'(les) auteur(s)