Charisma and Community Formation in Medieval Japan: The Case of the Yugyo-Ha, 1300-1700 (Cornell East Asia, No. 102)

Thornton, S.A.

ISBN 10: 1885445628 / ISBN 13: 9781885445629

Published by Cornell University - Cornell Eas, 1999

About this Item

Good - Bumped and creased book with tears to the extremities, but not affecting the text block, may have remainder mark or previous owner's name - GOOD Standard-sized.

Seller Inventory # M1885445628Z3

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Charisma and Community Formation in Medieval Japan: The Case of the Yugyo-Ha, 1300-1700 (Cornell East Asia, No. 102)
• Publisher: Cornell University - Cornell Eas
• Publication Date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1885445628
• ISBN 13: 9781885445629
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Good

About this title

Synopsis

The Yugyō-ha achieved success by basing its religious authority on a combination of Pure Land mysticism and the practices of fundraising hijiri. Between 1300 and 1700, the Pure Land Buddhist religious order known as the Ippen school Yugyō-ha (later the Jishu) established itself as the leading representative of nembutsu propagation in Japan. The theme of the order’s history is the development of religious authority as a result of the struggle to normalize relations among the official head, sometimes obstreperous religious, and often interfering (usually warrior) lay patrons. This study demonstrates the value of the articulation in organizational studies of Weber’s concept of charisma as a successful social relationship as well as that of a chosen career determined by culture and tradition. Indeed, the success of the Yugyō-ha was due to its ability to seize on the advantages of combining the principles and practices of two existing traditions, Pure Land mysticism and the fundraising hijiri movement.

About the Author

S.A. THORNTON is Assistant Professor of History at Arizona State University. A specialist in popular rehearsals of history, she teaches courses on premodern Japanese and Asian history, comparative oral tradition, and film.