HAVENS, Norman

Personal Data

Profile

(Dec 1, 1992)

I have been a full-time lecturer at the Institute for Japanese Culture and Classics, Kokugakuin University since 1991; previous to that time, I worked for a number of years as an adjunct researcher at the same Institute. I received my B. A. from the University of Oregon and M.A. from Princeton University.

My primary area of research is the history of Japanese religion during the Edo period (1600-1867); I am particularly interested in the relationship of religion and cosmology in Japan's early modern history, leading to the so-called "new religions" of the modern period.

At Kokugakuin University I have joint responsibility for a translation series of recent articles on Japanese religion by younger Japanese scholars. Two anthologies (Matsuri and New Religions) have been published thus far, and I am currently working on articles for the third volume in the series. I also currently act as co-editor for this Newsletter, as well as participating in a project of electronic publishing (CD-ROM) of visual images relating to Japanese religion and culture.

Recent Publications

• "Immanent Legitimation: Reflections on the Kami Concept," in Inoue Nobutaka, ed., Norman Havens, trans., Kami. Contemporary Papers on Japanese Religion 4 (Tokyo: Kokugakuin University, IJCC, 1998).
• (introduction and translation), "Ise Daijingu zoku jin'iki" (The Continuing Record of Divine Marvels of the Grand Shrine of Ise]. Kokugakuin Daigaku, Nihon Bunka Kenkyusho kiyo, 78 (September, 1996), 75-136.
• trans., "Amenominakanushi no Kami in Late-Tokugawa Period Kokugaku" (by Sasaki Kiyoshi). Kokugakuin Daigaku, Nihon Bunka Kenkyusho kiyo, 78 (September, 1996), 1-74.
• "The Changing Face of Japanese Folk Beliefs," in Folk Beliefs in Modern Japan (trans., Norman Havens). Contemporary Papers on Japanese Religion, 3, Inoue Nobutaka, General Editor. Institute for Japanese Culture and Classics, Kokugakuin University, Tokyo 1994.
• "Ise Daijingu Jin 'iki: A Record of Divine Marvels of the Grand Shrine of Ise," annotated translation of the Ise Daijingu Jin 'iki by Watarai Deguchi Nobuyoshi, Kokugakuin Daigaku Nihon Bunka Kenkyusho Kiyo, 74 (forthcoming, [September, 1994]).
• "Magatsubi no Kami and Motoori Norinaga" (translation of Ueda Kenji, "Magatsubi no Kami ko: Motoori Norinaga no shingaku," Kokugaiwin Daigaku Nihon Bunka Kenkyusho kiyo, 74 (forthcoming, [September, 1994]).
• "Hoken shakai ni okeru [ido] to [undo]: okagemairi no baai," Yukyu 54 (July, 1993).
• (transl.), "Wayside Shrines at Urban Train Stations: Religion at the Crossroads" (English translation of Murakami Kokyo, "Toshi taaminaru chiiki ni okeru shoshi saishi: Hankyu sanban-gai, Kitamuki Jizo no sanpai kodo"), Kokugakuin Daigaku Nihon Bunka Kenkyusho kiyo, 72 (October, 1993).
• (Translator), Matsuri: Festival and Rite in Japanese Life. Contemporary Papers in Japanese Religion (1). Tokyo: Kokugakuin University, Institute for Japanese Culture and Classics, 1988.
• (Translator), New Religions. Contemporary Papers in Japanese Religion (2).Tokyo: Kokugakuin University, Institute for Japanese Culture and Classics, 1991.

Contributed News Articles

• Book Review (Oct 1, 1996)
• Symposium Book Introduces Japan's Revised Religious Corporations Law (Jun 1, 1996)
• Symposium: Globalization and Indigenous Culture, January 10-12, 1996 (Jan 1, 1996)
• Book Announcement (Jan 1, 1996)
• More News on Aum (Apr 1, 1995)
• New Year's Pilgrims (May 1, 1994)
• Grand Shrine of Ise Rebuilt (Oct 1, 1993)
• Survey on Cultural Exchange (Jul 1, 1993)
• Board Meets for Shinto Association (Apr 1, 1993)
• Second Annual Rice to Asia Project (Apr 1, 1993)
• "New-Years' Religion" Up (Apr 1, 1993)
• Second Year for "Rice for Asia" Project (Dec 1, 1992)
• Continuing Coverage of Unification Church (Dec 1, 1992)
• Three-Year Plan for Shinto Activities (Aug 1, 1992)
• Mass Wedding and "Cult" Criticism (Aug 1, 1992)
• Festival Promotion Bill Passed (Apr 1, 1992)