Worship of Confucius in Japan

The Japanese have a long history of worshipping Confucius, which has been interpreted in cultural rather than political terms. James McMullen's book explores the ritual's relationship to political authority in premodern Japan, tracing its vicissitudes through two major cycles of adoption, modification, and decline. An epilogue sketches the history of the ceremony in post-Restoration Japan.

Format: Hardback
Length: 450 pages
Publication date: 04 February 2020
Publisher: Harvard University Press

The Worship of Confucius in Japan offers a comprehensive exploration of the veneration of Confucius in Japan, known as the sekiten. This ritual, while rooted in Chinese political liturgy, has evolved over thirteen centuries to reflect distinct Japanese assumptions about sociopolitical order. Throughout Japanese history, powerful individuals have expressed a nuanced and ambivalent response to the challenges posed by the sekiten. While some embraced it as a cultural symbol, others viewed it as a political tool. The ritual has undergone self-reinterpretation, adapting to changing political contexts.

James McMullen adopts a diachronic and comparative approach to analyze the sekiten's relationship to political authority in the premodern period. By examining the historical trajectory of the ritual, he sheds new light on Sino-Japanese cultural relations and the unique political, cultural, and social history of Confucianism in Japan. The book is organized into successive sections that trace the vicissitudes of the ceremony through two major cycles of adoption, modification, and decline. The first cycle occurs in ancient and medieval Japan, while the second culminates in its rejection at the Meiji Restoration. An epilogue provides a glimpse into the history of the ceremony in post-Restoration Japan and up to the present.

The Worship of Confucius in Japan is a valuable resource for scholars and students interested in Japanese history, culture, and religion. It offers a deep understanding of the complex and evolving relationship between Japan and China, highlighting the ways in which the sekiten has been both embraced and contested over the centuries. Through its detailed analysis and rich historical context, the book provides valuable insights into the broader significance of Confucius and his teachings in East Asia.

Weight: 1182g
Dimension: 160 x 237 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674237261