Agents of World Renewal: The Rise of Yonaoshi Gods in Japan

This book explores the concept of "world renewal" (yonaoshi) in Japanese divinities, focusing on the Tokugawa period (1603-1867) when disgruntled peasants, government bureaucrats, and a giant subterranean catfish were worshipped as gods of world renewal. In the modern period, these gods took on explicitly anti-authoritarian characteristics, and in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the new religion Ōmoto predicted an apocalyptic end of the world presided over by a messianic yonaoshi god. Takashi Miura's book looks beyond the traditional modality of research focused on religious professionals, institutions, and texts to illuminate the complexity of a lived religion as practiced in communities and problematizes the association between yonaoshi and millenarianism, demonstrating that yonaoshi gods served as divine rectifiers of specific economic injustices rather than being fully millenarian interpretations.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 30 August 2019
Publisher: University of Hawai'i Press

This comprehensive volume delves into a fascinating category of Japanese divinities known as "world renewal" (yonaoshi). During the latter half of the Tokugawa period (1603-1867), a remarkable phenomenon emerged as various entities, both natural and supernatural, were worshipped as "gods of world renewal." These included disgruntled peasants who fervently demanded the repeal of unfair taxation imposed by their local governments, government bureaucrats who implemented special fiscal measures to alleviate poverty, and a legendary subterranean catfish believed to unleash earthquakes as a form of punishment against the wealthy who hoarded their riches.

In the modern era, the yonaoshi gods assumed increasingly anti-authoritarian characteristics. A notable example occurred during a significant uprising in Saitama Prefecture in 1884, where a yonaoshi god was invoked to challenge the legitimacy of the Meiji regime. Moreover, in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the new religion Ōmoto predicted an apocalyptic end of the world, presided over by a messianic yonaoshi god.

To explore the intricate tapestry of the veneration of yonaoshi gods, Takashi Miura employs a diverse range of local documents to conduct his research. By venturing beyond the traditional confines of research focused solely on religious professionals, their institutions, and their texts, Miura sheds light on the rich complexity of a lived religion as practiced within communities. He also challenges the often-made association between the concept of yonaoshi and millenarianism, demonstrating that yonaoshi gods initially served as divine agents of rectifying specific economic injustices. It was only later, in the modern period and within the context of new religions like Ōmoto, that full-fledged millenarian interpretations emerged.

What is particularly intriguing is the evolution of the scope of world renewal itself. The concept of yonaoshi initially encompassed a wide range of entities, from natural forces to supernatural beings, all believed to be instrumental in bringing about a renewed and harmonious world. However, as time passed, the focus of world renewal shifted and expanded. The yonaoshi gods became more explicitly associated with millennialism, with their role in bringing about the end of the world and the establishment of a new order becoming more prominent.

In conclusion, Agents of World Renewal offers a fresh and insightful perspective on Japanese religion by examining the veneration of yonaoshi gods. Through the lens of this analytical framework, the book highlights the importance of looking beyond the boundaries often imposed on religious studies. It sheds light on the complex interplay between religious beliefs, social dynamics, and economic injustices, providing a deeper understanding of the lived religion as experienced by communities throughout history. This volume is a valuable contribution to the field of religious studies and will undoubtedly inspire further research and exploration into the fascinating world of Japanese divinities.

Weight: 496g
Dimension: 158 x 237 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780824880378