Belief and the "Outside" in Japanese Folk Religion(<Special Issue>Criticism of Religion)

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to reconsider the way to understand the problem of belief in Japanese folk religion and folk culture, from the perspective of the relationship between folk societies and the "outside" (especially outside power), not within the framework of folk society itself. In Japanese folklore, the outside power of a religious system is usually excluded from the interpretation of belief in folk religion. However, in referring to cases of Japanese folk religion, it can often be seen that the model (or mold) of folk religion was provided from an outside religious system, and then developed into folk religion. In fact, in some cases the legitimacy of folk religion is guaranteed by the outside religious system. It is the analysis of this relationship which is required to reconsider and deconstruct the modernity of folklore and religious studies.