God's Samurai is the unusual story of Mitsuo Fuchida, the career aviator who led the attack on Pearl Harbor and participated in most of the fiercest battles of the Pacific war. A valuable record of major events, it is also the personal story of a man swept along by his times. Reared in the vanished culture of early twentieth-century Japan, war hero Fuchida returned home to become a simple farmer. After a scandalous love affair came his remarkable conversion to Christianity and years of touring the world as an evangelist. His tale is an informative, personal look at the war "from the other side."
Bushido: A Modern Adaptation of the Ancient Code of the Samurai attempts to address the violent nature of the human spirit and to harness and redirect that trait into a constructive force for the betterment of mankind. Bushido examines the metaphor of the Warrior as it appears in human culture both historically and in the stories, philosophies and religions of mankind, drawing heavily upon the stoic martial philosophy of Feudal Japan and on the Judeo-Christian principles which have shaped the West. It is the Author's hope that this work will convey a message of self-reliance, strength and peace that our world so desperately needs.
Japanese mountain gods belong to the land and its memory and maintain meaning in how through myth acting in matsuri models of character are possible for adherents. The oldest form of the three models, referred to in the book as masks, pertains to passage into the land of the nature kami up and into the mysterious mountains for purposes of hunting; the second mask is associated with sacred space, protection and the ancestors; the third mask is linked to the social environment of rice farming, which came to help model behaviour associated with rice and human fertility as well as what it means to be a good member of the extended kinship group. This book is first about what these ancient Japanese myths were, their meaning, their history and their fate in the modern world. This book is especially for those who hope that in our times and the crisis of modernity traditional ways of life and their myths still have meaning.
'Sport' and 'religion' are cultural institutions with a global reach. Each is characterised by ritualised performance and by the ecstatic devotion of its followers, whether in the sports arena or the cathedral of worship. This fascinating collection is the first to examine, in detail, the relationship between these two cultural institutions from an international, religiously pluralistic perspective. It illuminates the role of sport and religion in the social formation of collective groups, and explores how sport might operate in the service of a religious community. The book offers a series of cutting-edge contemporary historical case-studies, wide-ranging in their social and religious contexts. It presents important new work on the following fascinating topics: * sport and Catholicism in Northern Ireland * Shinto and sumo in Japan * women, sport and the American Jewish identity * religion, race and rugby in South Africa * sport and Islam in France and North Africa * sport and Christian fundamentalism in the US * Muhammad Ali and the Nation of Islam. With God on their Side is vital reading for all students of the history, sociology and culture of sport. It also presents important new research material that will be of interest to religious studies students, historians and anthropologists.
Haruo Shirane's critically acclaimed Traditional Japanese Literature: An Anthology, Beginnings to 1600, contains key examples of both high and low styles of poetry, drama, prose fiction, and essays. For this abridged edition, Shirane retains substantial excerpts from such masterworks as The Tale of Genji, The Tales of the Heike, The Pillow Book, the Man'yoshu, and the Kokinshu. He preserves his comprehensive survey of secular and religious anecdotes (setsuwa) as well as classical poems with extensive commentary. He features no drama; selections from influential war epics; and notable essays on poetry, fiction, history, and religion. Texts are interwoven to bring into focus common themes, styles, and allusions while inviting comparison and debate. The result is a rich encounter with ancient and medieval Japanese culture and history. Each text and genre is enhanced by extensive introductions that provide sociopolitical and cultural context. The anthology is organized by period, genre, and topic—an instructor-friendly structure—and a comprehensive bibliography guides readers toward further study. Praise for Traditional Japanese Literature: An Anthology, Beginnings to 1600 "Haruo Shirane has done a splendid job at this herculean task."—Joshua Mostow, University of British Columbia "A comprehensive and innovative anthology.... All of the introductions are excellent."—Journal of Asian Studies "One of those impressive, erudite, must-have titles for anyone interested in Asian literature."—Bloomsbury Review "An anthology that comprises superb translations of an exceptionally wide range of texts.... Highly recommended."—Choice "A wealth of material."—Monumenta Nipponica
Your Expectation is for everybody who wants to be successful in his or her professional and personal life. It will help to improve your rational skills in risk assessment, decision-making as well as the necessary emotional competencies to manage change, uncertainty and the interaction with others. Many stories and historical events highlight the various steps in the decision-making process and will inspire you to use seemingly irrelevant small events of every day's life to practice and further advance these skills and competences. Making an informed decision is not enough to make you meet your objective. A professional execution of your decisions is equally important. How can we best prepare for their execution. How do we learn to notice the many unexpected events, risks and opportunities, around us and how can we turn them into our advantage. Elisabeth Fry, Kublai Kahn, King Louis XIV of France, George Scovell and the Duke of Wellington will provide the examples.
"Shinto: The Way of the Gods - The Ancient Religion of Japan and Its Influence on Society" is a comprehensive examination of the Shinto religion and its significance in Japanese society. Shinto, which literally means "Way of the Gods," is one of the oldest religions in the world and has a profound influence on Japanese culture, history, and identity. In this book, we explore the origins of Shintoism and the fundamental principles of this religion. We take a look at the various types of Shinto shrines and their significance as places of worship and purification. Furthermore, we examine the diverse rituals and ceremonies practiced in Shinto and how they shape the spiritual lives of people in Japan. Another important topic is the connection between Shinto and nature. In Shintoism, it is believed that nature is inhabited by spirits or gods, and this concept has a strong influence on the understanding and treatment of the environment in Japan. We also consider the connection between Shinto and Japanese mythology, as many of the gods and goddesses of Shinto play a role in ancient Japanese myths and legends. An additional aspect is the importance of Shinto in family life. Family rituals and ancestor veneration are integral parts of Shinto beliefs and have a significant impact on family relationships in Japan. Furthermore, we shed light on the influence of Shinto on Japanese art. Whether it is painting, architecture, theater, or music, Shintoism has greatly shaped the artistic expressions of Japan. Additionally, we examine the political history of Japan and the influence of Shinto on the country's development. Particularly during the imperial era, Shintoism played a significant role as an instrument of state ideology and as a justification for imperialistic aspirations. Throughout the book, we also consider the role of Shinto in modern society. How has the faith changed over time, and how is it practiced in contemporary times? We take a look at the influence of Shinto on various aspects of modern life, such as education, work ethics, and social norms. A fascinating topic is also the presence of Shinto in popular culture. Films, anime, and manga often incorporate elements of Shinto, contributing to the spread and popularity of the religion. We examine some well-known examples and explore their impact on the international perception of Shinto. Tourism also plays a significant role in relation to Shinto. Many tourists from around the world visit Japan to experience the impressive Shinto shrines and participate in traditional ceremonies. We analyze the impact of tourism on Shinto sites and the challenges they face.
History has been defined as the study of the past. The study of wars and generals, presidents and empires, discoveries and newfound territories. The plights of everyday people, living extraordinary lives as they fought for freedom, rights and dignity, moral values, peace, and prosperity. However, these events do not even begin to scratch the surface of what history truly is and its eternal purpose. History Is History. It is God's story of what He has done throughout time and with each and every single person to ever walk the face of the planet. Beholding true History is about seeing God's hands in everything and being able to appreciate how He continually molds and shapes even the most common events. Everything from where an individual is standing during a war to words of encouragement given to a stranger to split second decisions have all been used by grace of the Almighty. Every moment in History has a purpose. Every day common occurrences to extraordinary acts of heroism have been orchestrated by God to shape the course of humanity and to bring glory and honor to His precious and holy name. When people are able to see the connection between God's mighty hands of care and direction throughout their lives, History no longer becomes a random series of events. God's hands were in every second of the Battle of Stalingrad, His hands molded and shaped the man who went from being the planner of the Pearl Harbor disaster to becoming an evangelist for Christ. God helped Patton and his men when he prayed for a break in the weather. God helped the men during the Vietnam War to help stop the spread of communism. God was guiding the voyage and purpose behind Christopher Columbus's journeys. When people see History, the way God intends for it to be seen, lives are changed. Gratitude, amazement, and awe are just the beginning to understanding and appreciating the wonderful works of the Almighty God throughout History.
