Sensory Anthropology: Culture and Experience in Asia

This book explores how sensory cultures in Asia frame social order and disorder,from constructions of rasa to sound expressives,and provides rich ethnographic perspectives on inter- and intra-regional sense relations.

Format: Hardback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 09 March 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This book delves into the intricate tapestry of sensory cultures across Asia, exploring their profound impact on shaping social order and disorder. From the intricate constructions of rasa (taste) in pre-colonial India and Indonesia to the sensory discipline within the monastic orders of the Edo period in Japan, to the expressive sounds of the Semai in Peninsular Malaysia, and the sensory soteriology of Tibetan Buddhism, the author uncovers the diverse ways in which sensory experiences shape societies. Through a rich array of captivating examples, the book delves into key anthropological themes such as culture and language, food and foodways, morality, transnationalism, and violence. It offers granular analyses on sensory relations, sensory pairings, and intersensoriality, providing a comprehensive understanding of the sensory world. By offering rich ethnographic perspectives on inter- and intra-regional sense relations, the book engages with a range of sensory models and transcends the confines of narrower sensory regimes bounded by group, nation, or temporality. This pioneering exploration of the senses in and out of Asia is an essential read for academic researchers and students in social and cultural anthropology, shedding light on the intricate interplay between the senses and the construction of human societies.

Weight: 479g
ISBN-13: 9781009240833