Table Of ContentContents Foreword Hufford David Preface Part I: An Introduction to the Left Stairway Part II: Death Customs in Contemporary Japan Suggested Reading and Related Resources Part III: Japanese Death Legends and Vernacular Culture Mothers and Children Revenge and Anger Omens Ghosts at Sea Passions Epilogue Sources and Notes Suggested Reading Bibliography Index
SynopsisThe Japanese have ambivalent attitudes toward death, deeply rooted in pre-Buddhist traditions. In this scholarly but accessible work, authors Iwasaka and Toelken show that everyday beliefs and customs--particularly death traditions--offer special insight into the living culture of Japan.