Women in Japanese Religions - (Women in Religions) by Barbara R Ambros (Paperback)

Women in Japanese Religions by Barbara R.

Ambros is a groundbreaking book that challenges entrenched stereotypes of Japanese women's religious experiences.

Through a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of historical instances and trends, Ambros provides a fresh perspective on the complex ways in which religion has both constrained and empowered women in Japan. The book covers a wide range of primary sources, including archeological evidence of fertility cults and shamanic rulers, to provide a synthetic long view of Japanese religions from a distinct angle that has typically been discounted in standard survey accounts of Japanese religions.

Ambros argues that ambivalent religious discourses in Japan have not simply subordinated women but also given them religious resources to pursue their own interests and agendas. With a focus on the overarching scope of centuries, Women in Japanese Religions offers a comprehensive perspective that is both informative and accessible.

The book's contents are well-balanced, covering a variety of important primary sources with well-known, historicized, and recent acclaimed scholarship in the study of Japanese religions and women's history. The book includes questions for discussion at the end of each chapter, making it an excellent resource for students at the introductory level who want to understand Japanese religion and women.

Additionally, the books concise volume provides a nuanced account of Japanese womens religious activities from ancient times to the present, challenging entrenched stereotypes and redressing the androcentric biases of earlier scholarship. Overall, Women in Japanese Religions is a valuable resource for students of Japanese studies, religious and gender studies, and history, as well as anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of Japans complex religious traditions and the role of women within them.