Pieces of Princes: Personalized Relics in Medieval Japan
By late medieval times, it was common to describe Prince Shōtoku as "Japan's Sākyamuni," but how was he symbolically elevated to this status? This article considers "personalized relics"— unique remains identified as a particular part of the actual body of an honored figure—...
| Published in: | Japanese journal of religious studies |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Nanzan Institute
[2011]
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| In: |
Japanese journal of religious studies
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| Further subjects: | B
Buddhism
B Personalization B Holy relics B Pagodas B Religious Studies B Priests B Religious rituals B Statues B Larceny |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (kostenfrei) |
| Summary: | By late medieval times, it was common to describe Prince Shōtoku as "Japan's Sākyamuni," but how was he symbolically elevated to this status? This article considers "personalized relics"— unique remains identified as a particular part of the actual body of an honored figure—and shows how they played a crucial role in transforming the sacred identities of the Japanese and South Asian princes. The three sections each deal with a different type of relic associated with Shōtoku: a miraculously manifested eye, locks of hair, and various teeth that were enshrined, stolen, and re-enshrined. These case studies trace the incremental replacement of Sākyamuni with Shōtoku as a source of religious power and authority, one that surpassed its original model for its unique and inalienable connection to devotees in medieval Japan. |
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| Contains: | Enthalten in: Japanese journal of religious studies
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