Ritual practices and daily rituals: an introduction to the anthropology of Japan

Catalog description

The role of ritual practices in a country that has more than one festival on any given day ofthe year cannot be denied. It is a highly significant one that has pervaded the everyday life,where many gestures have acquired a ritual meaning, be it social or sacred. The presentcourse aims to offer an overview of contemporary Japanese society with a focus onsacred rituals (related to religious practices) and profane rituals, those daily practices thathave gained ritual characteristics: cyclic repetition in a pre-determined space, with predetermined participants, roles, and activities.