NCC Center for the Study of Japanese Religions, Kyoto Japanese
Research Projects at the NCC Study Center

Ongoing Research Projects

Ancestor Veneration

For many years, the NCC Study Center has pursued research on funeral rites and ancestor veneration. This research focusses on traditional folk religion, Buddhism, and indigenization of Christianity in Japan. Research results are published occasionally in the NCC Study Center’s journals Deai and Japanese Religions.

Theology of Religions

This research project is an innovative attempt to develop a theology of religions from a multireligious perspective. Scholars of different religions in Japan are invited to present their views on other religions. Research results have not yet been published.

Past Research Projects

Manga and Religion in Japan

For several years, students of Buddhist studies, Christian theology, and other disciplines, gathered regularly in order to present, analyse and discuss religious elements in manga and the relationship between popular culture and religion. Some of the papers were published in Japanese Religions (Vol. 25, Vol. 28 No. 2) and Deai (Vol. 14 No. 3)

Aum Shinrikyo

Together with Tomisaka Christian Center (Tokyo), the NCC Study Center organized a research project on Aum Shinrikyo and the Aum incident. The innovative approach of this research was interdisciplinary, involving Buddhologists, religious scholars, a pyschologist, a journalist, a lawyer and others. The results were published in 2004.

Scholar Voices

  • I could have done theoretical studies in a well-equipped library at home, but without the Japanese environment it would not have been even half as interesting. While living and studying here, theoretical outlines changed into colorful, living pictures. Experiences such as visiting temples and shrines, participating in Zen meditation, and seeing people here in their daily lives give renewed incentives for theoretical studies.
    Katrin Bosse (Visiting student 1997, Heidelberg University)