{"product_id":"from-salvation-to-spirituality-popular-religious-movements-in-modern","title":"From Salvation to Spirituality: Popular Religious Movements in Modern","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of From Salvation to Spirituality, Susumu Shimazono offers a clear, scholarly account of modern religious change in Japan that will interest historians and students of religion alike. The book's biggest selling point is its careful synthesis of nineteenth- and twentieth-century developments into a readable narrative that explains why more than ten percent of the population now belong to New Religions. Readers seeking thoughtful analysis rather than polemic will find Shimazono's approach rigorous and contextualized in Japanese cultural heritage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical scope:\u003c\/strong\u003e Covers development of popular religious and spiritual movements across the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, giving readers a long view of change and continuity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAuthoritative voice:\u003c\/strong\u003e Written by Susumu Shimazono, a leading sociologist of religion, which provides scholarly credibility and careful interpretation of material.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocus on New Religions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Explains the social and cultural factors behind the rise of New Religions and why they now reach a significant portion of Japan's population.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTheoretical reappraisal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reconsiders classical concepts and proposes alternative approaches useful for students and researchers comparing religious modernity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCultural context:\u003c\/strong\u003e Places religious change within Japanese cultural heritage, showing how Buddhist and Shintoist influences persist alongside newer forms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is best suited to readers with an interest in religious studies, modern Japanese history, or sociology who want a focused, analytic treatment rather than a narrative popular history. Graduate students and academics will appreciate the theoretical discussions and the author's effort to reposition concepts in light of Japanese cultural specifics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCasual readers who expect a light introduction to Japanese religion may find the material dense; those looking for a step-by-step guide to contemporary religious practice should look elsewhere. This is primarily an interpretive, scholarly work rather than a devotional or travel-oriented book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClear historical framing makes it easier to see how nineteenth- and twentieth-century developments connect.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAuthoritative analysis from a noted sociologist provides depth and scholarly credibility.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUseful reconceptualization of religious studies concepts offers fresh perspectives for researchers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStrong cultural contextualization helps explain continuity with Buddhist and Shinto roots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe academic focus and theoretical language may be dense for general-interest readers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFrom Salvation to Spirituality: Popular Religious Movements in Modern Japan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSusumu Shimazono\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModern Japanese religion, New Religions, sociology of religion\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eChronological focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNineteenth and twentieth centuries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTheoretical reappraisal and cultural contextualization\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRegional focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJapan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom Salvation to Spirituality is a valuable, scholarly study for anyone researching modern Japanese religion or the sociology of new religious movements. Its combination of historical sweep and theoretical reflection makes it good value for students and academics who need a thoughtful, contextualized account rather than a lightweight overview.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book cover contemporary New Religions?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes; it examines developments through the twentieth century and explains how New Religions grew to include a notable share of the population.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a general introduction or an academic study?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is an academic study with theoretical discussions, best suited to students, researchers, and informed readers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the author address Buddhist and Shinto influences?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes; Shimazono places Buddhist and Shintoist influences alongside newer religious features throughout the analysis.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Susumu Shimazono","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48261957353691,"sku":"1876843128","price":37.79,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/51S8rwp11EL._SL1000.jpg?v=1778275688","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/from-salvation-to-spirituality-popular-religious-movements-in-modern","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}