Cultural astronomy of the Japanese archipelago : exploring the Japanese skyscape

Author(s)

• 後藤, 明 ゴトウ, アキラ

Bibliographic Information

Cultural astronomy of the Japanese archipelago : exploring the Japanese skyscape

Akira Goto

（Routledge studies in the early history of Asia, 11）（Routledge focus）

Routledge, 2021

• : hbk

Note

Includes bibliographical references and index

Summary: "Goto introduces the diverse and multi-layered skylore and cultural astronomy of the peoples of the Japanese archipelago. Going as far back as the Jomon, Yayoi and Kofun periods, this book examines the significance of constellations in the daily life of farmers, fishermen, sailors, priests and the ruling classes throughout Japan's ancient and medieval history. As well as covering the systems of the dominant Japanese people, he also explores the astronomy of the Ainu people of Hokkaido, and of the people of the Ryukyu islands. Along the way he discusses the importance of astronomy in official rituals, mythology, and Shinto and Buddhist ceremonies. This book provides a unique overview of cultural astronomy in Japan and is a valuable resource for researchers as well as anyone who is interested in Japanese culture and history"-- Provided by publisher

Contents of Works

• Introduction
• Japanese people and stars : cultural astronomy and star lore of the Japanese
• Stars in mythology and classical literature
• Star lore of the Hokkaido Ainu
• Ethnoastronomy in the Ryukyu Islands
• Archaeoastronomy of prehistoric Japan : a historical survey
• Fallen star legends in Japanese folk beliefs
• Cosmology seen in house and burial orientation of the Hokkaido Ainu, northern Japan
• The sun and the Kingdom of Ryukyu : an ethnohistorical approach to state formation
• Epilogue

Description and Table of Contents

Description

Goto introduces the diverse and multilayered skylore and cultural astron- omy of the peoples of the Japanese Archipelago. Going as far back as the Jomon, Yayoi, and Kofun periods, this book examines the significance of constellations in the daily life of farmers, fishermen, sailors, priests, and the ruling classes throughout Japan's ancient and medieval history. As well as covering the systems of the dominant Japanese people, he also explores the astronomy of the Ainu people of Hokkaido, and of the people of the Ryukyu Islands. Along the way he discusses the importance of astronomy in official rituals, mythol- ogy, and Shinto and Buddhist ceremonies. This book provides a unique overview of cultural astronomy in Japan and is a valuable resource for researchers as well as anyone who is inter- ested in Japanese culture and history.

Table of Contents

1. Japanese People and Stars: Cultural Astronomy and Star Lore of the Japanese 2. Stars in Mythology and Classical Literature 3. Star Lore of the Hokkaido Ainu 4. Ethnoastronomy in the Ryukyu Islands 5. Archaeoastronomy of Prehistoric Japan: A Historical Survey 6. Fallen Star Legends in Japanese Folk Beliefs 7. Cosmology Seen in House and Burial Orientation of the Hokkaido Ainu, Northern Japan 8. The Sun and the Kingdom of Ryukyu: An Ethnohistorical Approach to State Formation 9. Epilogue

by "Nielsen BookData"

Details

• NCID: BC04994592
• ISBN:
  • 9780367407988
• LCCN: 2020024044
• Country Code: uk
• Title Language Code: eng
• Text Language Code: eng
• Place of Publication: Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY
• Pages/Volumes: vii, 148 p.
• Size: 23 cm
• Classification:
  • LCC : GN476.3
  • DC23 : 520.89/00952
• Subject Headings:
  • LCSH : Ethnoastronomy -- Japan
• Parent Bibliography ID:
  • BA76745293
  • BB21194212