Transhistorical Studies of Ideas of Life and Death; Japanese Deities and Shrines

Underlying faith has been one of the principal research subjects of the National Museum of Japanese History since its establishment. There is a need to consistently engage in new research in order to promote development along with the small periodic research summaries that have been conducted so far. This subject is considered to be an important one for NMJH, whose major objective is to research the history and culture of Japan. This research focuses on religious faith in gods (Shinto) and Buddhism and viewpoints on life and death from a basic working position employing the keywords "society, memories, and symbols" and integrating historical knowledge from the chronological record. The purpose of this research is to illuminate the Japanese development of Shintoism and Buddhism and concepts of life and death from a historical point of view in the context of Japanese Cultural Theory. Therefore, as this theme is likely to be considered rather abstract, it will be made more concrete using actual materials, written records, images, and rites, etc. gathered with the cooperation of interdisciplinary researchers outside of the areas of history, archaeology, and ethnology, such as religious history, national literature, architectural history, art history, and natural history.