Secrecy in Japanese Arts: Secret Transmission as a Mode of Knowledge by M Morinaga

Secrecy in Japanese Arts: Secret Transmission as a Mode of Knowledge by M Morinaga

Exploring the Japanese tradition of hidden (or the secret transmission of) knowledge within a closed and often hereditary group, the author investigates how esoteric practices function, how people make meaning of their practices, and how this form of esotericism survived into the modern age. These questions are examined through the use of esoteric texts from the 15th to 18th centuries and theatrical treatises from the late 19th century onwards.

"Meticulously researched and finely argued, Secrecy in Japanese Arts is an intellectually bracing and deeply satisfying bookThe author shows convincingly that esotericism, often considered to be a feature of Japanese cultural transmission, does not belong to the category of the inscrutable or mysterious, but rather operates according to an analyzable logic. This thrilling encounter between "postmodern theory" and "premodern Japanese culture" ought to be required reading for anyone involved in learning, teaching, investigating, or practicing the traditional Japanese arts." - Ayako Kano, University of Pennsylvania

"[Morinaga] is well versed in critical theory, and the book raises provocative questions regarding the various contingencies involved in the process of textual and lineage production...Morinaga's book encourages us to think deeply about the multiple ways in which 'knowledge' is crafted and maintained. The author argues compellingly that we must pay attention to the detailed dynamic contours of the production, performance, attempted transmission, and motivated reception of 'knowledge' in order to understand its workings in any context." - Terry Kawashima, Wesleyan University

MAKI MORINAGA is Assistant Professor of Japanese literature and theater at the University of minnesota, USA.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781349528912
ISBN 10	1349528919
Title	Secrecy in Japanese Arts: Secret Transmission as a Mode of Knowledge
Author	M Morinaga
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Palgrave Macmillan
Year published	2015-12-02
Number of pages	197
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.