Research Catalog

Title

Buddhism and medicine in Japan : a topical survey (500-1600 CE) of a complex relationship / Katja Triplett.

Author

Triplett, Katja

Publication

Berlin : De Gruyter, [2019]

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

xiii, 259 pages; 24 cm.

Summary

This book demonstrates the close link between medicine and Buddhism in early and medieval Japan. It may seem difficult to think of Japanese Buddhism as being linked to the realm of medical practices since religious healing is usually thought to be restricted to prayers for divine intervention. There is a surprising lack of scholarship regarding medicinal practices in Japanese Buddhism although an overwhelming amount of primary sources proves otherwise. A careful re-reading of well-known materials from a study-of-religions perspective, together with in some cases a first-time exploration of manuscripts and prints, opens new views on an understudied field. The book presents a topical survey and comprises chapters on treating sight-related diseases, women's health, plant-based materica medica and medicinal gardens, and finally horse medicine to include veterinary knowledge. Terminological problems faced in working on this material - such as 'religious' or 'magical healing' as opposed to 'secular medicine' - are assessed. The book suggests focusing more on the plural nature of the Japanese healing system as encountered in the primary sources and reconsidering the use of categories from the European intellectual tradition.

Series Statement

Religion and Society ; 81

Uniform Title

Religion and society (Hague, Netherlands) ; 81.

Subjects

• Medicine
• History
• Medicine > Japan > Religious aspects > Buddhism
• Buddhist medicine > Japan
• To 1600
• Medicine > Religious aspects > Buddhism
• Japan
• Buddhism

Genre/Form

History.

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (pages 205-239) and index.

Contents

Frontmatter -- Contents -- Prologue -- Acknowledgements -- Conventions -- Introduction -- 1. Buddhism, Medicine and Magic: The Boundary Problem -- 2. Operating with Buddhism -- 3. The Eye I: An Organ as a Site of Empowerment and Healing -- 4. The Eye II: Buddhist Healing and Living with Visual Impairment -- 5. Women: Care of the Reproductive Female Body -- 6. Plants: Materia medica, Medicinal Gardens and Panaceas -- 7. Horses and Equine Medicine -- Conclusion: Boundaries, Maps and Types of Othering -- Timeline -- List of Images -- Bibliography -- Index

Call Number

JFE 20-3631

ISBN

• 9783110573503
• 3110573504
• 9783110576214 (canceled/invalid)
• 9783110575569 (canceled/invalid)

LCCN

2019951645

OCLC

1080246877

Author

Triplett, Katja, author.

Title

Buddhism and medicine in Japan : a topical survey (500-1600 CE) of a complex relationship / Katja Triplett.

Publisher

Berlin : De Gruyter, [2019]

Type of Content

text

Type of Medium

unmediated

Type of Carrier

volume

Series

Religion and Society ; 81

Religion and society (Hague, Netherlands) ; 81.

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 205-239) and index.

Chronological Term

To 1600

Research Call Number

JFE 20-3631