Clans and Religion in Ancient Japan

Masanobu Suzuki is Senior Analyst for Textbooks at the Elementary and Secondary Education Bureau at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan. He was formerly Associate Professor at Waseda University, Japan and has taught ancient Japanese history in many universities since 2008. He received his PhD in Literature at Waseda University in 2012.

• 1. History of Study and Points of Controversy 2. Rise and Decline of the Ōmiwa Clan3. Constitution of the Ōmiwa Clan4. Dispersal Process of the Ōmiwa Clan5. Characterizations of the Ōmiwa God6. Transition of Religious Services at Mt. Miwa7. Legend of Religious Services at Mt. Miwa8. Conclusion and Future Prospects

‘In ancient Japan, politics was closely connected with religion. Based on the analysis of ancient history books, archaeological relics, and old pictures, this book explains that the emperor sponsored religious service at Mt. Miwa and the Omiwa clan, consistently engaging in it from the fifth to the seventh century, strengthened its political power. By analyzing genealogical materials of the clan, this book also elucidates that the clan absorbed the legend of their ancestors for the legitimacy of their political position and reinterpreted their own history for future generations. These points are important when we consider the forming process of ancient Japanese nation. This book will offer the latest research of religion and clan in ancient Japan to international researchers.’ – Shinko Taniguchi, Associate Director, Waseda Institute for Advanced Study (WIAS)