Adding Flesh to Bones: Kiyozawa Manshi’s Seishinshugi in Modern Japanese Buddhist Thought

Seishinshugi, a new form of spirituality by Kiyozawa Manshi (1863–1903), was a significant force in shaping Japans religious landscape. This collection of essays explores his ideas and influence, including his relationship with Inoue Enryō, the Tannishō, and the reinvention of his historical image by his followers. It also highlights the contributions of other modern Shin proponents such as Sasaki Gesshō and Yasuda Rijin, as well as the influence of Kiyozawa and Soga Ryōjin on the Kyoto School.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 490 pages
Publication date: 31 October 2023
Publisher: University of Hawai'i Press

This comprehensive collection of seventeen essays places modern Shin Buddhist thinker Kiyozawa Manshi (1863–1903) and his innovative form of spirituality, Seishinshugi, within the broader context of Buddhism and religious thought in modern Japan. The work highlights several factors that contributed to the development of Kiyozawa's ideas and showcases the profound influence he and his disciples had, highlighting both the events that led Kiyozawa to establish his unique formulation of modern Shin Buddhism in Seishinshugi and the ways in which those ideas shaped a significant portion of Japan's religious landscape well into the mid-twentieth century.

The book comprises a series of historical studies that examine the significance of Seishinshugi from various angles, as well as chapters that aim to introduce some of the original ideas of Seishinshugi thinkers and other contemporary Shin proponents, such as Sasaki Gesshō (1875–1926) and Yasuda Rijin (1900–1982). The inclusion of several translations of recent Japanese scholarship on Kiyozawa and Seishinshugi offers a glimpse into the current state of research in Kiyozawa studies in Japan.

Several early chapters delve into the topics that Kiyozawa addressed in his formulations of Seishinshugi. The book delves into the depth of his relationship with Inoue Enryō (1858–1919), as well as new research suggesting that Seishinshugi may more closely represent the thought of Kiyozawa's disciples than his own. This section concludes with an examination of how Kiyozawa's followers reinvented his historical image after his death.

Later chapters bring together research into the specific ways in which Kiyozawa's legacy shaped the Japanese religious and philosophical environment in the last century, including the influence of his ideas on Japanese Buddhism, the development of Japanese philosophy, and the broader cultural landscape of Japan. The book provides a rich and multifaceted perspective on the life and work of Kiyozawa Manshi, shedding light on his contributions to modern Shin Buddhism and his lasting impact on Japanese religious and intellectual life.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780824897833